Irresistible Mexican Spaghetti: A Zesty Twist on Classic Pasta

Mexican spaghetti offers a vibrant twist on the classic Italian pasta dish.

This mouthwatering meal combines the comforting taste of traditional spaghetti with bold and zesty Mexican flavors.

Spices, herbs, and local ingredients turn ordinary pasta into an exciting feast for your taste buds.

It’s a perfect mix of two rich food traditions, blending familiar textures with new and thrilling tastes.

People who love cooking have embraced this creative recipe as an exciting way to spice up their usual meals.

Mexican spaghetti shows how different food cultures can come together to create something truly special and delicious.

Why Mexican Spaghetti Brings A Kick To Dinner

• Speedy Weeknight Wonder: Whip up this Mexican Spaghetti in under an hour, making it perfect for busy families craving a quick, delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Flavor Explosion: Combine classic spaghetti with bold Mexican spices like chili powder and cumin, creating a mouthwatering fusion dish that takes your taste buds on an exciting culinary adventure.
• Customizable Comfort: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping meats, adjusting spice levels, or adding extra toppings like sour cream or fresh cilantro to suit individual preferences and dietary needs.
• One-Pan Convenience: Prepare and bake everything in a single skillet, minimizing cleanup time and making this recipe a stress-free option for home cooks looking to simplify their cooking process.

What Goes In Mexican Spaghetti

Main Ingredients:

Pasta and Proteins: – Spaghetti: Hearty base for the Mexican-style dish, choose standard or whole wheat pasta for texture. – Ground Beef: Rich protein that adds depth and heartiness to the sauce. – Bacon: Crispy add-in that provides smoky flavor and crunchy texture.

Cheese and Dairy: – Cheddar Cheese, Pepper Jack Cheese: Melty components that create creamy and spicy layers in the dish, choose full-fat versions for best results.

Beans and Vegetables: – Pinto Beans: Authentic Mexican protein source that adds creamy texture. – Onions, Garlic: Aromatic base that builds foundational flavor profile.

Sauce and Seasonings: – Tomato Sauce, Rotel: Tangy and slightly spicy liquid base for the sauce. – Chili Powder, Cumin, Oregano: Classic Mexican spice blend that provides warm and complex flavor. – Pickled Jalapeños: Optional spicy topping for extra heat and tang.

Simple Steps For Mexican Spaghetti

Step 1: Prepare Pasta Base

Boil water in a large pot. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente. Drain pasta and set aside, reserving one cup of pasta water.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Meat Mixture

• Bacon until crispy
• Ground beef
• Onions
• Garlic

• Pinto beans
• Tomato sauce
• Rotel tomatoes
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Oregano

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

Stir half of the cheddar cheese and half of the Pepper Jack cheese into the meat mixture. Add cooked spaghetti, using reserved pasta water to create desired sauce consistency.

Step 4: Bake and Finish

Transfer mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese and crumbled bacon on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until cheese melts completely.

Step 5: Serve with Flair

Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Top with pickled jalapeños before serving. Enjoy your spicy Mexican-inspired pasta dish!

Tips To Get Mexican Spaghetti Just Right

• Boost Pasta Absorption: Reserve pasta water to help sauce cling better and create a silkier texture that ensures every bite is packed with flavor.
• Drain Excess Grease: After cooking ground beef, carefully remove extra fat to prevent a greasy dish and maintain a cleaner, more refined taste profile.
• Customize Cheese Blend: Experiment with different cheese combinations like monterey jack or queso fresco to personalize the melty, spicy topping according to your preference.
• Control Spice Level: Adjust chili powder and replace Rotel with mild diced tomatoes if you prefer a less spicy version that suits sensitive palates.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare this dish ahead of time and refrigerate before baking, allowing flavors to meld and making weeknight dinners super convenient.

How To Store Mexican Spaghetti Without Fuss

• Refrigeration: Store leftover Mexican spaghetti in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Microwave Reheating: Sprinkle a tablespoon of water over the pasta to restore moisture. Cover with a microwave-safe lid and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Oven Reheating: Transfer spaghetti to an oven-safe dish, add a splash of water or extra tomato sauce. Cover with foil and warm at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, ensuring even heating and preventing dryness.
• Freezing Option: Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve texture and flavor.

What Pairs With Mexican Spaghetti

• Fiery Margarita Match: Blend a classic margarita with fresh lime and a touch of jalapeño to mirror the dish's spicy Mexican-inspired flavors, cutting through the rich meaty cheese sauce.
• Craft Beer Companion: Select a crisp Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or a hoppy amber ale that complements the smoky bacon and robust beef without overwhelming the meal's complexity.
• Cool Down with Sangria: Prepare a light red sangria with fresh orange slices and a hint of cinnamon, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the hearty spaghetti's warm spices.
• Zesty Palate Cleanser: Add a citrus-infused sparkling water with a splash of lime to refresh the palate between bites, balancing the dish's rich and spicy profile.

Tasty Swaps For Mexican Spaghetti

• Vegetarian Fiesta Pasta: Replace ground beef with crumbled tofu or plant-based meat alternative, using black beans instead of pinto beans for protein-packed flavor.
• Gluten-Free Mexican Spaghetti: Swap traditional spaghetti with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or chickpea flour to accommodate wheat sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Version: Substitute spaghetti with spiralized zucchini noodles for a lighter, low-carbohydrate option that keeps the Mexican-inspired spices and cheese.
• Dairy-Free Spicy Delight: Use dairy-free cheese alternatives like nutritional yeast or vegan cheese shreds, and replace bacon with smoky tempeh strips for a plant-based adaptation.

FAQs On Mexican Spaghetti

• What makes Mexican Spaghetti different from traditional spaghetti?

Mexican Spaghetti combines classic pasta with southwestern flavors like Rotel tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, and multiple cheese types, creating a unique fusion dish that blends Italian and Mexican culinary traditions.

• Can I make this recipe spicy or mild?

You can easily adjust the spice level by choosing mild or hot Rotel tomatoes, reducing or increasing chili powder, and adding pickled jalapeños according to your preference. The recipe allows flexibility for personal heat tolerance.

• Is Mexican Spaghetti a good meal for feeding a crowd?

Absolutely! This one-pan dish serves multiple people, can be prepared quickly, and offers hearty ingredients like ground beef, bacon, and beans that make it filling and satisfying for gatherings or family dinners.

• What protein alternatives can I use besides ground beef?

You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, shredded chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives. Each option will provide a similar texture and help maintain the dish’s robust flavor profile.

Sizzling Mexican Spaghetti Recipe That Will Spice Up Your Dinner Table

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Spicy Mexican Spaghetti brings a fiesta of flavors to your dinner table, blending traditional pasta with zesty Latin ingredients. Bold tomato sauce, melted cheese, and jalapeño peppers create a mouthwatering dish that satisfies comfort food cravings while celebrating culinary creativity.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1.5 pounds (1.5 lbs) lean ground beef
• 6 slices bacon, chopped

Pasta and Beans:

• 1 package (16 ounces) spaghetti
• 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 can (10 ounces) Rotel
• 1 can (14 ounces) tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
• Pickled jalapenos, to taste

Cheese:

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese, divided

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Instructions

1. Prepare the foundation by setting the oven temperature to 350°F for optimal cooking environment.
2. Submerge spaghetti in boiling water, following package instructions for perfect al dente texture. Carefully drain pasta, reserving one cup of starchy cooking liquid, and rinse with cool water to halt cooking process and prevent clumping.
3. Render bacon in a large oven-safe skillet until crisp and golden, then transfer to a paper towel to drain excess fat.
4. Utilize the same skillet to brown ground beef with diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until meat loses its pink coloration and vegetables become translucent. Eliminate surplus grease from the pan.
5. Enrich the meat mixture by incorporating pinto beans, robust tomato sauce, zesty Rotel, aromatic chili powder, earthy cumin, and fragrant oregano. Stir thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
6. Blend half of the cheddar and Pepper Jack cheeses into the simmering sauce, creating a creamy, complex base.
7. Gently fold cooked spaghetti into the seasoned meat mixture, using reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
8. Distribute remaining cheese and crumbled bacon across the top of the dish, ensuring even coverage.
9. Transfer skillet to preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese melts completely and dish is heated through.
10. Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, enabling flavors to meld, then garnish with pickled jalapeños for a spicy finishing touch.

Notes

• Pasta Water Magic: Reserve pasta water as a secret weapon to adjust sauce consistency and help cheese melt smoothly without drying out the dish.
• Bacon Swap Options: Replace bacon with vegetarian bacon bits or smoked paprika for a similar smoky flavor profile if avoiding meat.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust chili powder and choose mild or hot Rotel tomatoes to customize heat intensity according to personal preference.
• Make-Ahea

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 440
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg