Best 7 Southwest Creamy Pasta Bake Recipes
Indulge in a tantalizing culinary journey with our delectable Southwest Creamy Pasta Bake, a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This irresistible dish seamlessly blends the bold and zesty flavors of the Southwest with the comforting creaminess of a classic pasta bake. Every bite is an explosion of taste, with tender pasta, succulent chicken, a delightful blend of spices, and a rich, creamy sauce that brings it all together.
But that's not all! This article is a treasure trove of additional pasta bake recipes, each offering a unique and flavorful twist on this beloved comfort food. From the classic Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake, bursting with vibrant basil and nutty Parmesan flavors, to the hearty Sausage and Spinach Pasta Bake, packed with savory sausage and wilted spinach, there's a pasta bake here to satisfy every craving.
And if you're looking for a vegetarian delight, the Roasted Vegetable Pasta Bake is sure to impress, showcasing a medley of roasted vegetables in a creamy sauce. Or, for a taste of the sea, the Seafood Pasta Bake overflows with succulent shrimp, flaky fish, and briny mussels, all nestled in a creamy seafood sauce.
No matter your taste preferences, this article has the perfect pasta bake recipe for you. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy.
SOUTHWEST CHICKEN ALFREDO PASTA BAKE RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: fusilli pasta, corn, black beans, cooked chicken, alfredo sauce, taco seasoning, monterey jack cheese, cheddar cheese, fresh cilantro
Provided by Claire Nolan
Categories Dinner
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350˚F (180˚C)
- Cook the fusilli pasta according to box instructions. This will make about 4½ cups (900g) of cooked pasta.
- In a large bowl, mix together cooked pasta, corn, black beans, cooked chicken, alfredo sauce, and taco seasoning.
- Pour into a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking pan and spread evenly around the pan.
- Sprinkle Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese over the top and cover with foil.
- Bake for 35 minutes, uncovering after 20 minutes to allow the cheese to brown.
- Garnish with cilantro.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 486 calories, Carbohydrate 34 grams, Fat 25 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 31 grams, Sugar 3 grams
MAKE-AHEAD CHEESY SOUTHWEST CHICKEN AND PASTA CASSEROLE
Plan ahead and put this party-ready casserole in the freezer for your next big get-together! Once it's thawed, top with tortilla chips, and bake for a cheesy-crunchy crowd pleaser that packs tons of flavor and just the right amount of heat.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 1h25m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
- In 4-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in onion, bell pepper, poblano and jalapeño chiles; cook about 6 minutes or until vegetables are softened. Stir in flour and taco seasoning mix; cook and stir 1 minute. Gradually beat in broth with whisk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in cream cheese and Cheddar cheese.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package for minimum cook time. Drain; stir pasta into sauce with chicken, frozen corn and black beans. Pour pasta mixture into baking dish, and pour enchilada sauce over top.
- Bake 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and sprinkle with tortilla chips. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through and sauce is bubbling around edges. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro and red onion just before serving.
- To freeze: Line 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with foil, making sure foil is as smooth as possible, as wrinkled foil may get stuck in sauce during freezing process. Leave enough overhang to lift casserole out of dish. Spray foil with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate sauce 30 to 40 minutes before assembling casserole. Mix sauce with cooked pasta, chicken, frozen corn and beans; spread in lined baking dish (do not add enchilada sauce); cover tightly with another layer of foil. Freeze unbaked casserole about 8 hours or until completely frozen. Transfer frozen casserole to labeled 2-gallon resealable freezer plastic bag. Remove air; seal and freeze up to three months. To bake: Remove foil, and transfer to 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover and thaw in refrigerator until completely thawed, at least 48 hours. Heat oven to 350°F. Remove cover, and top with enchilada sauce. Bake 20 minutes; top with crushed tortilla chips. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through and bubbly around edges (165°F in center). Let stand 15 minutes. Top with cilantro and red onion just before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 490, Carbohydrate 61 g, Cholesterol 55 mg, Fat 2 1/2, Fiber 7 g, Protein 21 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 910 mg, Sugar 5 g, TransFat 0 g
SOUTHWESTERN CREAMY CHICKEN PASTA BAKE
I got this recipe a few years back from a friend. My Grand kids love this. It's fast and yummy. I serve it with a side salad and garlic bread.
Provided by Sandy Williams
Categories Pasta
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- 1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
- 2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Drain pasta, stir into chicken mixture.
- 3. Transfer to a greased 13X 9-in. Baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until heated through. 8 servings
SOUTHWEST PASTA BAKE
Fat-free cream cheese and reduced-fat cheddar make this creamy casserole lower in fat and calories. It's a good way to get our kids to eat spinach in "disguise". -Carol Lepak of Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 55m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in milk. Stir in spinach and oregano; set aside. , In a nonstick skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Stir in the picante sauce, tomato sauce, tomato paste, chili powder and cumin; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Drain pasta; stir into meat mixture., In a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray, layer half of the meat mixture and all of the spinach mixture. Top with remaining meat mixture. , Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with cheese. Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with olives and onions. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 341 calories, Fat 10g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 49mg cholesterol, Sodium 870mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
SOUTHWESTERN SPAGHETTI CASSEROLE
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
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.
SOUTHWEST PASTA BAKE RECIPE - (4.8/5)
Provided by CandyH
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in milk. Stir in spinach and oregano; set aside. 2. In a nonstick skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Stir in the picante sauce, tomato sauce, tomato paste, chili powder and cumin; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Drain pasta; stir into meat mixture. 3. In a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray, layer half of the meat mixture and all of the spinach mixture. Top with remaining meat mixture. 4. Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with cheese. Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with olives and onions. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Yield: 8 servings.
SOUTHWESTERN CASSEROLE
I've been making this mild family-pleasing southwest casserole recipe for years. It tastes wonderful, fits nicely into our budget and, best of all, makes a second one to freeze and enjoy later. -Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h5m
Yield 2 casseroles (6 servings each).
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cook beef and onion over medium heat, crumbling beef, until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Stir in next 8 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Drain macaroni; stir into beef mixture., Preheat oven to 375°. Transfer macaroni mixture to 2 greased 2-qt. baking dishes. Top with cheese and jalapenos. Cover and bake at 375° for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake until bubbly and heated through, about 10 minutes longer. Serve 1 casserole. Cool the second; cover and freeze up to 3 months., To use frozen casserole: Thaw in refrigerator 8 hours. Preheat oven to 375°. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°, 20-25 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 321 calories, Fat 15g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 64mg cholesterol, Sodium 673mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 24g protein.
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before starting, gather and prep all ingredients.
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Cook pasta to al dente (slightly firm) so it doesn't overcook in the bake.
- Use a Variety of Vegetables: Feel free to mix and match veggies based on preference or what's in season.
- Ensure Chicken is Fully Cooked: Before adding chicken to the dish, make sure it's cooked thoroughly.
- Adjust Spices to Your Taste: Customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of chili powder and cumin.
- Use Shredded or Cubed Chicken: Either shredded or cubed chicken can be used in this recipe.
- Choose a Creamy Sauce: Use heavy cream, sour cream, or a combination for a rich and creamy sauce.
- Top with Cheese: A combination of Mexican cheese blend and sharp cheddar provides a delicious cheesy topping.
- Bake Until Golden Brown: Bake the pasta until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Garnish Before Serving: Enhance the dish's presentation with fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, and a dollop of sour cream.
Conclusion:
This Southwest Creamy Pasta Bake is a flavorful and satisfying main course that combines the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine with the comfort of a classic pasta dish. It's a versatile recipe that allows for customization with various vegetables, spices, and cheeses. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, this pasta bake is sure to be a hit. Enjoy the delicious fusion of flavors in every bite!
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