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Mexican Spaghetti

Mexican Spaghetti
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Mexican Spaghetti is a comforting and vibrant dish featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a rich tomato-based sauce infused with aromatic spices, ground meat or plant-based alternatives, jalapeños, and melted Mexican blend cheese. Ready in under 30 minutes, this versatile and family-friendly meal brings the bold flavors and warmth of Mexico directly to your kitchen, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 ounces spaghetti noodles

Protein

  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey (or plant-based alternative)

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 jalapeños or 1/2 cup chopped green chilies, adjust to taste
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Sauce

  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Cheese

  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups Mexican blend cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving a small cup of pasta water for later use.
  2. Sauté aromatics and meat: In a large skillet, heat a bit of oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent. Add ground beef or turkey, breaking it up as it browns, cooking until no longer pink.
  3. Build the sauce: Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Add jalapeños or green chilies depending on your heat preference. Let everything simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together perfectly.
  4. Combine pasta and sauce: Mix the cooked spaghetti into the skillet, tossing everything to coat evenly. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it gently.
  5. Add the cheese: Sprinkle the Mexican blend cheese on top and cover the skillet for a few minutes to let the cheese melt into a gooey, luscious topping that ties the dish all together.

Notes

  • Fresh ingredients matter: Use fresh garlic and onion for the best aromatic base.
  • Don’t overcook pasta: Keep spaghetti al dente to maintain the perfect texture in the final dish.
  • Simmer gently: Let the sauce simmer slowly so flavors develop naturally without burning spices.
  • Reserve pasta water: Use the reserved pasta water to adjust sauce texture and help it cling to noodles better.
  • Melt cheese last: Add cheese after mixing pasta to avoid overcooking and preserve creaminess.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mexican spaghetti, quick pasta recipe, family dinner, one-pot meal, spicy pasta, Mexican cuisine

Find it online: https://emillycooks.com/mexican-spaghetti/