Mexican-Style Pasta Bake

Salsa, cumin, and cilantro give this meatless casserole recipe a south-of-the-border flair.


Mexican-Style Pasta Bake

by 2  people


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Servings: 6 servings
Prep Time: 35 mins
Total Time: 55 mins

 
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Ingredients
  • 12 ounces
    dried bow tie pasta (about 5 cups)
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  • 1/2 cup
    chopped onion
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  • 1/2 cup
    chopped red sweet pepper
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  • 3 tablespoons
    butter
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  • 1/3 cup
    all-purpose flour
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  • 1 teaspoon
    salt
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  • 1 teaspoon
    dried cilantro, crushed
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  • 1/2 teaspoon
    ground cumin
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  • 3 cups
    milk
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  • 6 ounces
    colby cheese, cubed
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  • 1-1/2 cups
    shredded Monterey Jack cheese (6 oz.)
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  • 1 cup
    bottled salsa
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  • 2/3 cup
    halved pitted green and/or ripe olives
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  •  
    Chili powder
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Directions
1.
Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Butter six 12- to 16-ounce individual casserole dishes (or one 3-quart baking dish); set aside. In a 4-quart Dutch oven cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; return to pan. In a large saucepan cook onion and sweet pepper in butter over medium heat about 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in flour, salt, cilantro, and cumin. Add milk all at once. Cook and stir until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low. Stir in colby cheese and 1 cup of the Monterey Jack cheese; stir until cheese is melted. Pour over drained pasta; stir to combine.
2.
Layer half of the pasta mixture, all of the salsa, and the remaining pasta mixture in the prepared casseroles. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese and olives. Sprinkle lightly with chili powder. Bake, uncovered, 15 to 20 minutes or until bubbly around edges and heated through. (If using large casserole, bake in a 400 degree F oven about 20 minutes.) Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Makes 6 servings.

Nutrition information
Per serving: Calories 604, Total Fat 31 g, Saturated Fat 17 g, Monounsaturated Fat 10 g, Polyunsaturated Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 132 mg, Sodium 1293 mg, Carbohydrate 56 g, Total Sugar 8 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 27 g. Daily Values: Vitamin C 42%, Calcium 59%, Iron 19%. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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