SOUTHWESTERN SPAGHETTI CASSEROLE

Southwestern Spaghetti Casserole image

A close friend made this Mexican-Italian bake for me almost 20 years ago, and I've prepared it regularly ever since. It comes together in a snap because it relies largely on convenient ingredients I keep on hand. We like it with a loaf of crusty bread. -Rose Turner Minnick, Christiansburg, Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 40m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

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Ingredients

12 ounces uncooked spaghetti
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 jar (26 ounces) spaghetti sauce
1 jar (4-1/2 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, salsa and picante sauce

Steps:

Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles; drain. , Stir in the taco seasoning, spaghetti sauce, mushrooms and olives. Drain spaghetti; stir into the beef mixture., Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. or 3-qt. baking dish; sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350° until heated through, 25-30 minutes. Serve with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, salsa and picante sauce. Freeze option: Cool unbaked casserole; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake casserole as directed, increasing time as necessary until heated through and a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°. Serve with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, salsa and picante sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 591 calories, Fat 27g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 114mg cholesterol, Sodium 1130mg sodium, Carbohydrate 48g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 38g protein.