Southwestern Pasta Casserole Food

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.

SOUTHWESTERN CASSEROLE

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.

SOUTHWESTERN BEEF-AND-PASTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
• Meanwhile, coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray.
• In large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook beef with seasoning and salt until browned.
• Stir in salsa; remove from heat.
• In large bowl, mix Alfredo sauce, eggs and 1 cup cheese; stir in pasta.
• In another bowl, toss spinach with 1/2 cup cheese.
• To assemble, spoon half of pasta mixture, about 4 cups, into pan.
• Sprinkle spinach mixture evenly over pasta.
• Top with even layer of beef mixture.
• Top with remaining pasta mixture.
• Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
• Bake until hot in center and top is golden, about 1 hour.
• Run sharp knife around edge of pan to loosen pasta.
• Let stand 10 minutes.
• Remove side of pan; sprinkle with parsley.

SOUTHWESTERN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Cook chicken breasts and shred or cube then set aside. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Blend can of stewed tomatoes and enchilada sauce in a blender until smooth. In a large pot, heat olive oil and saute red onion and bell pepper until tender. Add the enchilada sauce, corn and spinach then simmer for 3-4 minutes. Drain and rinse beans. Then add seasonings, chicken, and beans. Simmer for about 5 minutes. Finally, add about 2 hand fulls of cheese.
• Have a casserole dish ready and begin assembling. First lay down a layer of tortillas, then a layer of the mixture. Continue this ending with a layer of tortillas on top. Put a generous layer of cheese on top.
• Place casserole in the oven for 20 minutes or until cheese is golen brown.

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 PASTA & CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute pepper and onions in oil until tender. Stir in the flour, chili powder, chipotle pepper, salt and cumin until blended. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in 1/4 cup cheese until melted., Drain pasta; toss with sauce. Stir in bacon and cilantro. Transfer to a 2-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.

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 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 PASTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• 1. Take 1/2 of the chopped onion and saute in a tiny bit of oil (I sprayed pot with nonstick cooking spray) until tender. Add hamburger (seasoned with salt and pepper) and brown. (drain fat).
• 2. Add 2/3 cup water and 1 package of taco seasoning. Bring to a boil then simmer to let meat thicken. Open the can of chopped tomatoes and chilies and drain the liquid into the meat mixture. Stir well and continue to simmer.
• 3. While preparing meat, boil water (add a little salt) and cook pasta until al dente. Drain the pasta. Add the pasta to the meat mixture.
• 4. Take the chopped chilies and add to the sour cream. Mix well. Add the other half of chopped onions to this mixture. (will give casserole some texture).
• 5. Take a 2 quart casserole and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Layer with half of the pasta meat mixture. Next spread all of the sour cream mixture. Then add the pasta meat mixture on top of the sour cream mixture. Sprinkle the cheese on top.
• 6. Cover and bake for 30 minutes at 350*. Serve with a salad and garlic bread.

SOUTHWESTERN PASTA

Steps:

• Peel sweet onions and cut into slices about 1/4-inch thick; separate slices into rings.
• In a large deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add onions, chicken, cumin, chili powder, salt and cayenne pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and golden, about 25 minutes.
• Stir in the tomatoes, corn and chiles and cook 2 minutes longer.
• Pour in the chicken stock and increase heat to high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Combine the sauce, cooked pasta, cilantro and goat cheese, stirring and tossing to soften the cheese.

SOUTHWEST VEGETARIAN BAKE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring rice and water to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until rice is tender, 35-40 minutes., Preheat oven to 350°. Place beans, corn, tomatoes, cheddar cheese and rice in a large bowl; stir in salsa, sour cream and pepper. Transfer to a shallow 2-1/2-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with onion and olives. , Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes. Sprinkle with Mexican cheese; bake, uncovered, until heated through and cheese is melted, 5-10 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

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 SKILLET

Steps:

• Mix cream cheese spread, seasoning and milk until blended. Cook and stir chicken and peppers in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat 7 to 8 min. or until chicken is done, stirring occasionally. Add tomatoes, corn and cream cheese mixture; cook and stir 3 min.
• Add pasta and 1/2 cup shredded cheese; cook and stir 1 to 2 min. or until cheese is melted.
• Top with remaining shredded cheese. Remove from heat. Cover; let stand until cheese is melted.

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 SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• In a large bowl combine oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, salt and garlic. Stir in pasta and set aside to cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in corn, beans, green pepper, red pepper and 1/2 of the cilantro leaves. Spoon onto a platter and garnish with tomatoes and remaining cilantro. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

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.