Description
Creamy enchilada pasta blends Mexican and Italian cuisines into one comforting dish. Cheesy, spicy noodles with tender chicken provide a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound ground beef or chicken
Starches:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (penne or rotini)
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- 1 cup corn (optional)
- 1 cup black beans (optional)
- 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 tablespoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauces and Cheese:
- 1 cup enchilada sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
Garnish:
- Fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare pasta al dente according to package directions, then thoroughly drain and reserve.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high temperature, then thoroughly brown selected protein until no pink remains.
- Eliminate excess fat from protein, then incorporate aromatic onions and minced garlic, sautéing until translucent and fragrant.
- Pour enchilada sauce into skillet, introducing diced tomatoes, sweet corn kernels, hearty black beans, and signature southwestern spices. Allow mixture to simmer and meld flavors for approximately 5 minutes.
- Gently fold cooked pasta into sauce, ensuring each noodle becomes generously coated with robust, spicy mixture.
- Distribute vibrant shredded cheese across surface, then reduce heat to low, covering skillet to facilitate uniform cheese melting for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from heat, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro leaves, creating a visually appealing and aromatic final presentation.
- Serve immediately while cheese remains perfectly melted and ingredients are piping hot.
Notes
- Swap ground meat with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian twist that keeps protein levels high.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium enchilada sauce and draining canned beans thoroughly before adding.
- Prepare extra sauce on the side for individuals who enjoy more moisture in their pasta dish.
- Create a meal-prep friendly version by storing sauce and pasta separately, combining just before serving to maintain optimal texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg