Description
This Taco Spaghetti Casserole is a delightful fusion dish combining the comforting texture of spaghetti with bold Mexican flavors. Featuring tender cooked chicken, creamy soup, salsa, and a taco seasoning blend, this casserole is topped with melted Mexican blend cheese and fresh cilantro for a crowd-pleasing meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta, cooked al dente
Main Mixture
- 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
- 2 cans (10 ounces each) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 2 cups Mexican blend cheese, divided
Garnish
- Fresh chopped cilantro for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Pasta: Cook the thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked chicken, 1 1/2 cups of Mexican blend cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, salsa, and taco seasoning. Stir the ingredients thoroughly until well mixed to create a flavorful base.
- Combine Pasta and Mixture: Gently fold the cooked pasta into the chicken and sauce mixture, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated without breaking it.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the combined pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly for consistent cooking.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of Mexican blend cheese evenly over the top of the casserole to create a cheesy crust when baked.
- Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and starts to turn golden.
- Rest: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for a few minutes to set and cool slightly before serving.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro over the top for a burst of freshness and serve warm.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken leftovers or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Pasta can be substituted with other thin noodles like linguine or capellini.
- Adjust the amount of taco seasoning if you prefer a milder or stronger flavor.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for 3-4 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute sour cream and cheese with vegan alternatives.
