Description
Creamy enchilada pasta blends Mexican and Italian cuisines in one comforting dish. Rich flavors and hearty ingredients make this recipe a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Cheese:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded monterey jack cheese
Base and Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) pasta (penne, rotini, or your choice)
- 1 can (10 ounces/280 grams) enchilada sauce
- 1 can (10 ounces/280 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies (rotel)
- 1.5 cups (360 milliliters) beef broth
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 0.5 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Sour cream
- Cilantro
- Avocado
- Jalapenos
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to package directions until perfectly tender. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions until translucent and softened, approximately 3 minutes.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, browning thoroughly and eliminating any excess grease.
- Sprinkle spices including garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Allow flavors to meld for 2-3 minutes, stirring consistently.
- Pour enchilada sauce, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and beef broth into the skillet. Blend ingredients and allow mixture to gently simmer for 5-7 minutes.
- Incorporate cooked pasta into the sauce, ensuring complete and even coating of noodles.
- Gradually fold in shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, stirring until completely melted and creating a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Transfer to serving dishes immediately while hot, garnishing with optional toppings such as fresh cilantro, creamy sour cream, sliced avocado, or spicy jalapeños for additional flavor complexity.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner protein option that keeps the dish’s rich flavor profile.
- Create a gluten-free version by using certified gluten-free pasta and checking enchilada sauce ingredients for potential wheat-based thickeners.
- Control spice levels by adjusting chili powder quantity or using mild enchilada sauce for sensitive palates without compromising the authentic southwestern taste.
- Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process, ensuring each component is measured and ready for quick, efficient meal assembly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 530 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg