Best 8 Southwestern Spaghetti Casserole Recipes

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Searching for a tantalizing dish that blends the vibrant flavors of the Southwest with the comforting appeal of classic Italian cuisine? Our article unveils the secrets to creating a mouthwatering southwestern spaghetti casserole. With layered ingredients, bold spices, and a cheesy finish, this casserole is a symphony of tastes that will delight your palate and leave you craving for more. Embark on a culinary adventure as we explore the perfect recipe for a southwestern spaghetti casserole, a dish that will transport you to the sun-kissed landscapes of the Southwest, right in the comfort of your kitchen.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

SOUTHWESTERN BAKED SPAGHETTI



Southwestern Baked Spaghetti image

This is an easy, yet very tasty spaghetti casserole, which reminds me of the spaghetti they used to serve us in elementary school. I loved their spaghetti! I normally only brought my lunch, but not on spaghetti day!

Provided by Kim D.

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

8 ounces uncooked spaghetti
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded monterey jack cheese

Steps:

  • Cook spaghetti per package direcions.
  • Combine milk and egg, mix well.
  • Combine drained spaghetti, milk and egg; mix well.
  • Pour spaghetti mixture into a buttered 9X13 inch casserole dish.
  • Brown ground beef with onion, bell pepper and garlic in a large skillet; drain.
  • Return drained meat back into the skillet and add seasonings; Cook for 2 minutes.
  • Stir in tomato sauce and cook for 2 more minutes.
  • Spread meat mixture over spaghetti.
  • Sprinkle with cheese.
  • Bake at 425°F for 10 minutes or until cheese melts and is bubbly.
  • Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes.

SOUTHWEST SPAGHETTI SQUASH CASSEROLE



Southwest Spaghetti Squash Casserole image

Provided by Danae

Categories     Dinners

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 spaghetti squash, roasted and flesh scraped out with a fork into spaghetti-like strands
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
1 jalapeño, seeds removed and finely chopped
3/4 cup black beans (canned), rinsed and drained
1/2 cup frozen corn, defrosted
1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
1 cup red enchilada sauce
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Chopped tomatoes, cilantro and green onions for toppings (optional)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375° F.
  • In a large oven safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot add in the green onion and jalapeño. Sauté for 2 minutes then add in the black beans, corn, shredded chicken, chili powder, cumin and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper and stir together until combined.
  • Add in the spaghetti squash strands and enchilada sauce. Stir together until combined and top with the shredded cheese. Bake for 15 minutes or until warmed through and the cheese is melted. Top with chopped tomatoes, cilantro and green onions if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 386 calories, Carbohydrate 47 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 61 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 10 grams fat, Fiber 9 grams fiber, Protein 30 grams protein, SaturatedFat 4 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1, Sodium 862 grams sodium, Sugar 13 grams sugar, TransFat 0 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams unsaturated fat

SOUTHWESTERN SPAGHETTI CASSEROLE



Southwestern Spaghetti Casserole image

A close friend made this Mexican-Italian bake for me almost 20 years ago, and I've prepared it regularly ever since. It comes together in a snap because it relies largely on convenient ingredients I keep on hand. We like it with a loaf of crusty bread. -Rose Turner Minnick, Christiansburg, Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 40m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

12 ounces uncooked spaghetti
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 jar (26 ounces) spaghetti sauce
1 jar (4-1/2 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, salsa and picante sauce

Steps:

  • Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles; drain. , Stir in the taco seasoning, spaghetti sauce, mushrooms and olives. Drain spaghetti; stir into the beef mixture., Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. or 3-qt. baking dish; sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350° until heated through, 25-30 minutes. Serve with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, salsa and picante sauce. Freeze option: Cool unbaked casserole; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake casserole as directed, increasing time as necessary until heated through and a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°. Serve with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, salsa and picante sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 591 calories, Fat 27g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 114mg cholesterol, Sodium 1130mg sodium, Carbohydrate 48g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 38g protein.

SOUTHWEST SPAGHETTI SQUASH CASSEROLE



Southwest Spaghetti Squash Casserole image

Spaghetti with a twist! Great way to get all your veggies in one meal and enjoy them, too!

Provided by HoneeBee

Categories     Fruits and Vegetables     Vegetables     Squash     Winter Squash     Spaghetti Squash

Time 1h25m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 serving cooking spray (such as Pam®)
1 (2 pound) spaghetti squash, halved and seeded
1 (15 ounce) can Mexican-style diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
¾ cup shredded reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese
¼ cup minced fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon garlic salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
  • Place spaghetti squash, cut-side down, on the baking sheet.
  • Bake squash in the preheated oven until skin can easily be pierced with a fork and insides are tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven (leave oven on) and allow to rest until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Scrape out flesh with a fork and transfer to a large bowl; discard skins.
  • Spray a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
  • Add undrained tomatoes, black beans, 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, cilantro, cumin, garlic salt, and pepper to the spaghetti squash; stir well to combine. Spoon into the prepared dish and sprinkle with remaining Monterey Jack cheese.
  • Bake, uncovered, until heated through, 30 to 35 minutes. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 247.2 calories, Carbohydrate 38.3 g, Cholesterol 15.1 mg, Fat 6.4 g, Fiber 8.6 g, Protein 14.1 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 1170.7 mg

SOUTHWESTERN BAKE



Southwestern Bake image

A delicious southwestern recipe that includes black beans. I use mild salsa, but if you like it spicy, use hot salsa. This is one of my favorite recipes.

Provided by LINDAMOMMY

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Mexican

Time 1h

Yield 9

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 pound lean ground beef
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
2 (8.75 ounce) cans whole kernel corn, drained
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
2 cups fresh salsa
5 cups crushed plain tortilla chips
3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 large fresh tomato, finely chopped
3 green onions, chopped

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the garlic and onion; drain.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the meat mixture, chili powder, black beans, corn, sour cream and salsa. Stir until well blended.
  • Into a 9x13 inch baking dish, spoon enough of the beef mixture to cover the bottom. Arrange half of the crushed tortilla chips on top of the meat mixture and layer with 1 cup of Cheddar cheese. Spoon another layer of the meat mixture on top of the cheese layer, cover with remaining chips and layer with 1 cup of cheese. Spread final layer of meat mixture on top and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top. Top with diced tomato and green onions.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 570.3 calories, Carbohydrate 29 g, Cholesterol 108.3 mg, Fat 40.4 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 26 g, SaturatedFat 21 g, Sodium 972.7 mg, Sugar 5.1 g

SOUTHWESTERN CASSEROLE



Southwestern Casserole image

I've been making this mild family-pleasing southwest casserole recipe for years. It tastes wonderful, fits nicely into our budget and, best of all, makes a second one to freeze and enjoy later. -Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h5m

Yield 2 casseroles (6 servings each).

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 cups (8 ounces) uncooked elbow macaroni
2 pounds ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles, drained
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cook beef and onion over medium heat, crumbling beef, until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Stir in next 8 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Drain macaroni; stir into beef mixture., Preheat oven to 375°. Transfer macaroni mixture to 2 greased 2-qt. baking dishes. Top with cheese and jalapenos. Cover and bake at 375° for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake until bubbly and heated through, about 10 minutes longer. Serve 1 casserole. Cool the second; cover and freeze up to 3 months., To use frozen casserole: Thaw in refrigerator 8 hours. Preheat oven to 375°. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°, 20-25 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 321 calories, Fat 15g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 64mg cholesterol, Sodium 673mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 24g protein.

MAKE-AHEAD CHEESY SOUTHWEST CHICKEN AND PASTA CASSEROLE



Make-Ahead Cheesy Southwest Chicken and Pasta Casserole image

Plan ahead and put this party-ready casserole in the freezer for your next big get-together! Once it's thawed, top with tortilla chips, and bake for a cheesy-crunchy crowd pleaser that packs tons of flavor and just the right amount of heat.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 1h25m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 18

3 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
1 medium poblano chile, chopped (3/4 cup)
1 medium jalapeño chile, seeded and finely chopped
3 tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ chicken taco seasoning mix
2 cups Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
4 oz (half of 8-oz package) cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
4 1/2 cups uncooked bow-tie (farfalle) pasta (12 oz)
2 cups shredded deli rotisserie chicken
1 cup Cascadian Farm™ organic frozen corn (from 10-oz bag)
1 can (15 oz) Progresso™ black beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (10 oz) Old El Paso™ mild red enchilada sauce
1 1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips (about 6 oz)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 cup chopped red onion

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
  • In 4-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in onion, bell pepper, poblano and jalapeño chiles; cook about 6 minutes or until vegetables are softened. Stir in flour and taco seasoning mix; cook and stir 1 minute. Gradually beat in broth with whisk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in cream cheese and Cheddar cheese.
  • Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package for minimum cook time. Drain; stir pasta into sauce with chicken, frozen corn and black beans. Pour pasta mixture into baking dish, and pour enchilada sauce over top.
  • Bake 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and sprinkle with tortilla chips. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through and sauce is bubbling around edges. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro and red onion just before serving.
  • To freeze: Line 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with foil, making sure foil is as smooth as possible, as wrinkled foil may get stuck in sauce during freezing process. Leave enough overhang to lift casserole out of dish. Spray foil with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate sauce 30 to 40 minutes before assembling casserole. Mix sauce with cooked pasta, chicken, frozen corn and beans; spread in lined baking dish (do not add enchilada sauce); cover tightly with another layer of foil. Freeze unbaked casserole about 8 hours or until completely frozen. Transfer frozen casserole to labeled 2-gallon resealable freezer plastic bag. Remove air; seal and freeze up to three months. To bake: Remove foil, and transfer to 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover and thaw in refrigerator until completely thawed, at least 48 hours. Heat oven to 350°F. Remove cover, and top with enchilada sauce. Bake 20 minutes; top with crushed tortilla chips. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through and bubbly around edges (165°F in center). Let stand 15 minutes. Top with cilantro and red onion just before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 490, Carbohydrate 61 g, Cholesterol 55 mg, Fat 2 1/2, Fiber 7 g, Protein 21 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 910 mg, Sugar 5 g, TransFat 0 g

SOUTHWEST SPAGHETTI SQUASH



Southwest Spaghetti Squash image

I found this recipe in a Low-Carb cookbook. The sweetness of the squash mixes well with the spice of the other ingredients. Low-carb and vegetarian!

Provided by Cyn2938

Categories     Black Beans

Time 1h50m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 spaghetti squash (3 pounds)
1 (14 ounce) can Mexican-style tomatoes, undrained
1 (14 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 cup monterey jack cheese, divided
1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Cut squash in half lengthwise.
  • Remove and discard seeds.
  • Place squash, cut side down, in greased baking pan.
  • Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour or until just tender.
  • Using fork, remove spaghetti-like strands from hot squash and place strands in large bowl.
  • Add tomatoes with juice, beans, 1/2 cup cheese, cilantro, cumin, garlic salt and pepper; toss well.
  • Spray 1 1/2 quart casserole with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Spoon mixture into casserole.
  • Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.
  • Bake uncovered, 30 to 35 minutes or until heated through.
  • Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 215.2, Fat 7.4, SaturatedFat 4.2, Cholesterol 18.9, Sodium 526.6, Carbohydrate 26.5, Fiber 6.4, Sugar 0.1, Protein 12.9

Tips:

  • Use a large casserole dish to ensure that all the ingredients fit comfortably and cook evenly.
  • If you don't have a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies, you can substitute a can of regular diced tomatoes and add a teaspoon of chili powder.
  • Feel free to add other vegetables to this casserole, such as diced zucchini, bell peppers, or corn.
  • If you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce.
  • Top the casserole with a generous amount of shredded cheese before baking. This will help to create a golden brown crust.
  • Serve the casserole hot, garnished with chopped cilantro or parsley.

Conclusion:

This Southwestern Spaghetti Casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is packed with flavor and can be tailored to your liking by adding different vegetables or spices. The casserole is also a great way to use up leftover spaghetti. So next time you are looking for a quick and satisfying meal, give this recipe a try!

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