Creamy Fiesta Spaghetti
Transform your pasta night with this vibrant Creamy Fiesta Spaghetti—a Tex-Mex twist on a classic favorite! This dish combines tender spaghetti with a silky, flavorful sauce made from cream cheese, sour cream, and a zesty kick of canned diced tomatoes with green chilies. Sautéed bell peppers, onions, and garlic create a fragrant base, enhanced by smoky spices like cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Finished with melted cheddar cheese and a touch of fresh cilantro, this comforting yet festive recipe is a one-pan delight that's ready in just 35 minutes. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, this creamy spaghetti will bring bold flavor to your table with minimal effort.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
- 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
- 1 small, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 8 oz, softened cream cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 10 oz can, drained canned diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp, chopped (optional) cilantro
- 0.5 tsp (adjust to taste) salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and onion. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened.
Add the minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder to the skillet. Stir well and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
Reduce the heat to low and add the softened cream cheese and sour cream to the skillet. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Add the canned diced tomatoes with green chilies to the pan and stir to distribute them evenly throughout the sauce.
Slowly pour in the milk and stir until the sauce reaches a creamy consistency. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water until you achieve your desired consistency.
Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to coat the noodles evenly in the sauce.
Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and mix until fully melted and incorporated.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Garnish with chopped cilantro, if desired, and serve immediately. Enjoy your Creamy Fiesta Spaghetti while it's warm!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
703 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 50.5 g | 65% | |
| Saturated Fat | 27.5 g | 137% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 128 mg | 43% | |
| Sodium | 805 mg | 35% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 45.7 g | 17% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.4 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 13.7 g | ||
| Protein | 21.3 g | 43% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.8 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 443 mg | 34% | |
| Iron | 2.2 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 469 mg | 10% | |
*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.
