Description
Mexican Spaghetti is a flavorful, one-pan skillet meal combining lean ground chicken, taco seasoning, fresh vegetables, and Banza spaghetti noodles simmered in a rich tomato sauce. Topped with Pepper Jack and Colby Jack cheeses along with fresh cilantro and green onions, this dish delivers a hearty, comforting meal with a Mexican twist in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 lb ground chicken (90% lean or higher)
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 tsp minced garlic
Vegetables
- 1 white onion, diced
- 1 cup bell pepper, diced
- 1 tbsp cilantro, chopped
- 2 tbsp green onion, chopped
Tomato Sauce and Liquids
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 2 cups water
Pasta
- 1 box Banza spaghetti noodles
Cheese Toppings
- 1/2 cup Pepper Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup Colby Jack cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables: Dice the white onion and bell pepper into small pieces to ensure they cook evenly and integrate well into the dish.
- Cook Ground Chicken Mixture: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease it with cooking spray, then add the ground chicken, minced garlic, diced onion, diced bell pepper, and taco seasoning. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink.
- Add Tomato and Liquids: Pour in the canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and water. Stir well and bring the mixture to a boil, combining all ingredients thoroughly.
- Add Spaghetti Noodles: Break the spaghetti noodles into thirds and add them directly to the skillet. Using a large spoon, submerge and cover all the noodles with the sauce to ensure even cooking.
- Simmer and Cook Pasta: Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the skillet. Let it simmer for 25 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent the noodles from sticking or clumping, and to make sure they cook evenly through the sauce.
- Finish and Serve: After the noodles are tender and fully cooked, remove the skillet from heat. Serve topped with Pepper Jack cheese, Colby Jack cheese, freshly chopped cilantro, green onions, and optionally avocado for added freshness and creaminess.
Notes
- Breaking the spaghetti noodles into thirds helps them fit better in the skillet and cook more evenly in the sauce.
- Stirring every 5 minutes during simmering is crucial to prevent sticking and ensure noodles absorb the flavors evenly.
- Using lean ground chicken keeps this dish lighter without sacrificing protein content.
- For a spicier kick, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the skillet while cooking the ground chicken.
- Substitute cheese toppings with vegan cheese to make the dish dairy-free and vegan-friendly.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop with a splash of water.
