Description
Mexican spaghetti casserole brings together zesty flavors and comforting textures in one delightful dish. Cheese, peppers, and spices create a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti (or any pasta)
- 1 (10 oz/283 g) can rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
- 1 (15 oz/425 g) can tomato sauce
- ½ cup salsa (mild or spicy)
- 1 packet (1 oz/28 g) taco seasoning (or 2 tbsps homemade)
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack)
- ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- Sliced jalapenos
- Diced avocado
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Extra sour cream
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Immerse spaghetti in heavily salted, rolling boiling water until al dente. Drain completely and reserve for assembly.
- Meat Transformation: In a large skillet, brown ground beef with onions until deeply caramelized. Integrate minced garlic and spice mixture, releasing robust aromatics throughout the protein.
- Sauce Development: Introduce Rotel, tomato sauce, and salsa to the skillet. Simmer the mixture, allowing flavors to intertwine and create a rich, complex sauce that envelops the meat completely.
- Casserole Foundation: Gently coat spaghetti with sour cream, ensuring thorough coverage. Distribute shredded cheese generously throughout the pasta, creating a creamy, cohesive base.
- Layering Construction: In a prepared baking dish, strategically alternate layers of seasoned pasta and spiced meat mixture. Ensure even distribution to maximize flavor profile in each bite.
- Cheese Finalization: Blanket the casserole’s surface with remaining cheese, creating a golden, crispy topping that will transform during baking.
- Baking and Finishing: Slide the casserole into a preheated oven, baking until cheese becomes molten and edges crisp. Allow a brief resting period to stabilize layers. Garnish with fresh cilantro and optional toppings for a vibrant presentation.
Notes
- Manage Pasta Texture: Cook spaghetti al dente to prevent mushiness when baking, ensuring each strand maintains a delightful bite and absorbs sauce perfectly without becoming soggy.
- Control Spice Level: Adjust chili powder or salsa intensity based on personal heat tolerance, allowing customization for mild to fiery flavor profiles without overwhelming the dish.
- Optimize Cheese Melting: Use a blend of cheeses like cheddar and monterey jack for complex flavor and superior melting, creating a rich, golden crust that delivers irresistible texture and taste.
- Enhance Dietary Flexibility: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for lighter versions, and use gluten-free pasta to accommodate different nutritional needs without compromising flavor integrity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg