Mexicali Pasta

Take your taste buds on a vibrant culinary adventure with Mexicali Pasta, a hearty one-skillet dish brimming with bold Southwest flavors. This quick and easy recipe pairs tender penne pasta with a medley of black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, and sweet corn, all seasoned with smoky paprika, fragrant cumin, and a kick of chili powder. Finished with zesty lime juice, fresh cilantro, and a melty blanket of Mexican blend cheese, this fusion pasta is a celebration of comfort and spice. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners, it’s topped with creamy avocado slices for an irresistible touch of freshness. Packed with wholesome ingredients and ready in under 40 minutes, Mexicali Pasta is a delicious way to bring the flavors of the Southwest to your table!

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 15 oz can, rinsed and drained black beans
• 14.5 oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 small, minced (optional) jalapeño
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 0.25 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
• 1 sliced, for topping avocado

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and salt. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently, until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the black beans, fire-roasted diced tomatoes (with their juices), frozen corn, and minced jalapeño (if using). Stir to combine and simmer for 8-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 5

Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the lime juice and chopped cilantro.

Step 6

Add the cooked, drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce.

Step 7

Sprinkle the shredded Mexican blend cheese over the pasta and cover the skillet. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese melts.

Step 8

Serve warm, topped with fresh avocado slices and additional cilantro if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1690.6 grams (1690.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2576

Total Fat 74.50g	96%
Saturated Fat 25.10g	126%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.90g
Cholesterol 100mg	33%
Sodium 4218mg	183%
Total Carbohydrate 390.80g	142%
Dietary Fiber 51.20g	183%
Total Sugars 27.20g
Protein 99.80g	200%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1138mg	88%
Iron 26mg	144%
Potassium 2125mg	45%

*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: 25.5%

Protein: 15.2%

Carbs: 59.4%