Mexican Spaghetti Red Cheese (Print-Friendly Version)
Tender spaghetti tossed in cheese sauce and layered with taco meat, enchilada sauce, and gooey Colby Jack topping.
# Ingredients You'll Need:
→ Meat Sauce
01 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
02 -
1 medium onion, diced
03 -
1 green bell pepper, diced
04 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
05 -
450 grams ground beef
06 -
1 packet taco seasoning
07 -
1 teaspoon salt
08 -
0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
09 -
425 grams canned crushed tomatoes
10 -
425 grams canned enchilada sauce
→ Creamy Cheese Sauce
11 -
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
13 -
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
14 -
480 milliliters whole milk
15 -
200 grams shredded Colby Jack cheese
16 -
0.5 teaspoon salt
17 -
0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Pasta
18 -
450 grams spaghetti, cooked according to package instructions
→ Topping and Garnish
19 -
150 grams shredded Colby Jack cheese
20 -
Fresh cilantro, chopped
# How to Make It:
01 -
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for about 3 minutes, allowing it to soften.
02 -
Incorporate diced green bell pepper and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Add minced garlic and continue cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 -
Add ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until fully browned. Drain off any excess fat.
04 -
Stir in taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Add crushed tomatoes and enchilada sauce. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set the meat sauce aside.
05 -
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Sprinkle flour into the pan and whisk continuously for 1 minute to form a roux.
06 -
Gradually pour in whole milk while whisking. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture thickens. Add shredded Colby Jack cheese, stirring until melted. Season with salt and black pepper.
07 -
Toss the cooked spaghetti with the hot cheese sauce in a large bowl or saucepan until all noodles are evenly coated.
08 -
Preheat oven to 190°C. Grease a 23x33-centimeter casserole dish. Spread the creamy spaghetti mixture evenly into the prepared dish.
09 -
Distribute the reserved meat sauce evenly over the spaghetti mixture. Sprinkle shredded Colby Jack cheese over the top.
10 -
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
11 -
Remove from the oven. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and serve immediately.
# Extra Information:
01 -
For richer flavor, prepare the meat sauce a day ahead to allow the spices to meld.