Mexi Itali Casserole
Bring the best of two culinary worlds to your dinner table with this irresistible Mexi Itali Casserole! This fusion dish combines bold Mexican spices with comforting Italian-inspired pasta for a hearty, flavor-packed meal perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Made with tender pasta shells drenched in a savory mixture of taco-seasoned ground beef, zesty salsa, black beans, and diced tomatoes with green chilies, each bite bursts with vibrant flavors. Topped with a luscious blend of Mexican and mozzarella cheeses, baked to golden perfection, and garnished with sour cream and green onions, this casserole is as satisfying as it is simple to prepare. Ready in just under an hour and serving up to six, it's an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe that's sure to become a family favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2 cups pasta shells or elbow macaroni
- 1.5 cups salsa (medium or mild, depending on preference)
- 1 can (15 ounces) canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (10 ounces) canned diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup sour cream (optional, for serving)
- 0.25 cup green onion slices (optional, for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Add the ground beef to the skillet and brown it, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Cook for 6-8 minutes, or until no longer pink.
Stir in the taco seasoning, salsa, black beans, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Simmer the mixture over low heat for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
While the beef mixture simmers, cook the pasta shells or macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the beef mixture. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
Transfer half of the pasta and beef mixture into a greased 9x13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle half of the Mexican blend cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese over the layer.
Add the remaining pasta and beef mixture on top, followed by the rest of the cheeses.
Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Optionally, garnish with sour cream and green onion slices before serving.
Serve warm and enjoy your Mexi Itali Casserole!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4906 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 223.9 g | 287% | |
| Saturated Fat | 106.0 g | 530% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 645 mg | 215% | |
| Sodium | 6115 mg | 266% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 470.9 g | 171% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 54.4 g | 194% | |
| Total Sugars | 44.2 g | ||
| Protein | 247.4 g | 495% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.9 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 3073 mg | 236% | |
| Iron | 27.4 mg | 152% | |
| Potassium | 4896 mg | 104% | |
*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.
