Description
Comfort meets Mexican flair in this Mexican Spaghetti Casserole that brings zesty cheese, hearty ground beef, and spicy peppers together in one delicious baked dish. Creamy, cheesy layers meld perfectly with robust seasonings, creating a crowd-pleasing meal your family will devour in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 cup salsa
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Heat your oven precisely to 350°F, preparing a comfortable cooking environment for this zesty casserole.
- Cook 12 oz spaghetti in boiling water according to package directions until perfectly al dente, then thoroughly drain in a colander.
- Brown 1 lb ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat for 7-8 minutes, carefully draining any accumulated fat afterward.
- Combine 1 can of black beans, 1 can of corn, 1 can of diced tomatoes with green chilies, 1 cup salsa, 1 tsp cumin, and 1 tsp chili powder into the skillet with the beef, stirring until everything melds together.
- Gently fold the drained spaghetti into the seasoned meat mixture, ensuring every strand gets coated with the spicy sauce.
- Transfer the entire mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top, covering the casserole completely.
- Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbling layer.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to settle before serving.
Notes
- Fresh cilantro or green onions make a fantastic garnish that brightens the entire casserole’s flavor profile.
- Choose lean ground beef to keep the dish lighter and reduce excess grease during cooking.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with plant-based crumbles or additional beans for protein.
- Swap regular spaghetti for whole wheat pasta to add more fiber and nutrition to your meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg