Mexicali Spaghetti Bake

Indulge in the bold flavors of a Tex-Mex classic with this Mexicali Spaghetti Bake! This crowd-pleasing casserole combines al dente spaghetti with savory seasoned ground beef, sautéed vegetables, and a zesty tomato and green chili sauce, all layered with creamy sour cream and a generous topping of gooey Mexican blend cheese. Perfectly spiced with taco seasoning and baked to golden, bubbly perfection, this quick and easy recipe is a comforting fusion of Mexican-inspired and Italian-American favorites. Ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, serve it with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for a vibrant finishing touch. Bursting with flavor and ready in under an hour, this hearty dish is guaranteed to become a family favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 4 oz green chilies, diced
• 1 packet taco seasoning mix
• 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 2 cups Mexican blend shredded cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and red bell pepper, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.

Step 5

Stir in the taco seasoning mix and cook for 1 minute until well blended.

Step 6

Add the diced tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, and green chilies to the skillet. Stir well and let simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti, sour cream, and half of the shredded Mexican blend cheese. Stir until evenly coated.

Step 8

In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, layer half of the spaghetti mixture on the bottom.

Step 9

Spread half of the meat sauce over the spaghetti layer.

Step 10

Repeat with the remaining spaghetti mixture and meat sauce, creating a second layer.

Step 11

Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly over the top.

Step 12

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 13

Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2337.3 grams (2337.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3326

Total Fat 221.30g	284%
Saturated Fat 106.30g	532%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.30g
Cholesterol 676mg	225%
Sodium 4477mg	195%
Total Carbohydrate 186.70g	68%
Dietary Fiber 23.50g	84%
Total Sugars 48.70g
Protein 171.10g	342%

Vitamin D 76IU	381%
Calcium 2165mg	167%
Iron 21mg	115%
Potassium 2979mg	63%

*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: 58.2%

Protein: 20.0%

Carbs: 21.8%