Southwestern Pasta Bake Recipes

MAKE-AHEAD CHEESY SOUTHWEST CHICKEN AND PASTA CASSEROLE

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.

SOUTHWEST PASTA BAKE

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.

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN ALFREDO PASTA BAKE RECIPE BY TASTY

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!

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN-PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees farenheit; mist a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Bring pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente about 10 minute or as package directs. Drain.
• 2. Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add bell pepper,onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder and 2 tsp., salt; saute until onion is tender, 6- to 8 minute Add tomato paste and cook stirring constantly, 2 minute longer.
• 3. Whisk in flour until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute Gradually whisk in milk. Cook, whisking until thickened about 5min. Add diced tomatoes and 1 cup cheese. Cook, whisking for 1 minute or until cheese melts.
• 4. Remove from heat. Stir in chiken and paste.Scrape into baking dish; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake until bubbly; 20-25 minute (preheat broiler to high and broil casserole for a minute to brown, if desired )Let stand for 10-15min. Sprinkle with cilantro, if desired, serve.

SOUTHWESTERN BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the garlic and onion; drain.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the meat mixture, chili powder, black beans, corn, sour cream and salsa. Stir until well blended.
• Into a 9x13 inch baking dish, spoon enough of the beef mixture to cover the bottom. Arrange half of the crushed tortilla chips on top of the meat mixture and layer with 1 cup of Cheddar cheese. Spoon another layer of the meat mixture on top of the cheese layer, cover with remaining chips and layer with 1 cup of cheese. Spread final layer of meat mixture on top and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top. Top with diced tomato and green onions.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

SOUTHWESTERN VEGETARIAN PASTA

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large, deep skillet. Saute onion, green pepper, garlic, chili powder and cumin. Stir in tomatoes, chickpeas and corn. Reduce heat to low and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, or until thickened and heated through.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• Combine pasta and sauce. Sprinkle each serving with Monterey Jack cheese.

SOUTHWESTERN PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler to high and position the rack 8 inches from the heat.
• Bring a large pot of water to boil; salt the boiling water and cook the pasta until slightly undercooked-a little chewy at the center.
• While the water is coming to a boil, preheat a large skillet over med-high heat with the vegetable oil.
• Season the chicken with cumin, coriander, chili powder, salt, and pepper; add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet and cook 4-5 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Add in the onions, garlic, and jalapeno peppers; continue to cook 5 minutes.
• While the chicken is cooking with the onions, make the cheddar sauce.
• In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and add the flour to it.
• Cook 1-2 minutes over medium heat, then whisk in the milk.
• When the milk comes to a bubble, stir in the cheese, cilantro, and parsley with a wooden spoon.
• Season with a little salt and pepper; remove cheese sauce from heat.
• Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add back into the large pot.
• Add in the contents of the chicken skillet and all the cheddar sauce; stir to combine.
• Transfer mixture to a baking dish and place under the broiler to lightly brown.

SOUTHWEST CREAMY PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Drain pasta; stir into chicken mixture. , Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until heated through.

SOUTHWESTERN PASTA

Steps:

• You will also need: Large casserole dish and a large baking sheet