Mexi Itali Casserole

Bring the best of two culinary worlds to your dinner table with this irresistible Mexi Itali Casserole! This fusion dish combines bold Mexican spices with comforting Italian-inspired pasta for a hearty, flavor-packed meal perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Made with tender pasta shells drenched in a savory mixture of taco-seasoned ground beef, zesty salsa, black beans, and diced tomatoes with green chilies, each bite bursts with vibrant flavors. Topped with a luscious blend of Mexican and mozzarella cheeses, baked to golden perfection, and garnished with sour cream and green onions, this casserole is as satisfying as it is simple to prepare. Ready in just under an hour and serving up to six, it's an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe that's sure to become a family favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 2 cups pasta shells or elbow macaroni
• 1.5 cups salsa (medium or mild, depending on preference)
• 1 can (15 ounces) canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (10 ounces) canned diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup sour cream (optional, for serving)
• 0.25 cup green onion slices (optional, for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet and brown it, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Cook for 6-8 minutes, or until no longer pink.

Step 5

Stir in the taco seasoning, salsa, black beans, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Simmer the mixture over low heat for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 6

While the beef mixture simmers, cook the pasta shells or macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 7

In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the beef mixture. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.

Step 8

Transfer half of the pasta and beef mixture into a greased 9x13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle half of the Mexican blend cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese over the layer.

Step 9

Add the remaining pasta and beef mixture on top, followed by the rest of the cheeses.

Step 10

Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 12

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Optionally, garnish with sour cream and green onion slices before serving.

Step 13

Serve warm and enjoy your Mexi Itali Casserole!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2616.7 grams (2616.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4810

Total Fat 211.70g	271%
Saturated Fat 102.10g	510%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 641mg	214%
Sodium 10638mg	463%
Total Carbohydrate 480.30g	175%
Dietary Fiber 56.30g	201%
Total Sugars 43.20g
Protein 247.30g	495%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3029mg	233%
Iron 26mg	142%
Potassium 5032mg	107%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 39.6%

Protein: 20.5%

Carbs: 39.9%