Southwestern Spaghetti

Give your weeknight menu a bold and exciting twist with Southwestern Spaghetti, a zesty fusion of classic pasta and vibrant Tex-Mex flavors. This one-pot wonder combines tender spaghetti with seasoned ground beef or turkey, a medley of colorful bell peppers, black beans, and sweet corn, all simmered in a robust sauce of diced tomatoes with green chilies and aromatic spices like cumin, chili powder, and paprika. Topped with fresh cilantro and optional cheddar cheese, this dish is a hearty, flavor-packed meal ready in just 45 minutes. Perfect for families or meal prepping, Southwestern Spaghetti is a unique, crowd-pleasing dinner that blends comfort food with southwestern flair.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner option)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 14.5 oz diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 8 oz tomato sauce
• 15 oz black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup corn kernels (frozen, canned, or fresh)
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
• 0.25 cup cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• 0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess grease.

Step 3

Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened.

Step 4

Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices and release their aroma.

Step 5

Add the diced tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, black beans, and corn to the skillet. Stir everything together until well combined. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Step 6

Toss the cooked spaghetti into the sauce, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to heat through.

Step 7

Serve the Southwestern Spaghetti hot, garnished with chopped cilantro and a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2574.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3023.6

Total Fat 150.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 54.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 422.9mg	0%
Sodium 4307.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 271.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 56.5g	0%
Total Sugars 43.1g
Protein 153.6g	0%

Vitamin D 43.8IU	0%
Calcium 876.6mg	0%
Iron 33.2mg	0%
Potassium 4647.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.3%

Protein: 20.1%

Carbs: 35.6%