Is pasta bake high in calories?

Other sizes: 1 cup - 391kcal, 1 serving - 391kcal , more...

Why is a pasta bake good for you?

Health benefits of a Healthier Feta and Cherry Tomato Pasta Bake. This simple pasta dish offers numerous health benefits. The use of whole-grain/whole wheat pasta provides extra fiber, vitamins, and minerals, promoting better digestion and gut health .

Why does my pasta bake go hard?

You need to cover the pasta somehow. One way is to put a lid (or foil) over the top .. the other is to cover the past with a layer of grated cheese. Otherwise the moisture in the food will dry out and the top layer will be hard . Whenever I cook large pasta shells, they all fit into each other, and stick together.

Is pasta less fattening than bread?

Refined pasta, the pasta most commonly consumed, contains about 220 calories, 43 grams of carbohydrates, and 1 gram of fat per serving. On the other hand, 1 slice of white bread contains about 60 calories, 13 grams of carbohydrates, and 1 gram of fat.

How much pasta is 100 calories?

Talking of pasta, 34 pieces of wholegrain penne are 100 calories, as are 15 pieces of dry-roasted cashew halves. You can eat 31 asparagus spears before reaching the mark, or 82 canned red kidney beans.

Does cooking pasta reduce carbs?

First, you aren't actually taking the carbs out, you are just reducing how much of them your body digests and absorbs . Second, You have to cook these often forbidden favorites in a way that some of the carbohydrates in them convert to resistant starches. To do that, you simply cook and cool them before eating them.

Do you cook pasta before baking?

Most pasta bake recipes require you to pre-boil your pasta until it's not quite cooked through and then finish it in the oven . But for days when you can't face another pot to wash up or just need something delicious and comforting but minimal effort…well this is the recipe for you!

Can you use any pasta sauce for pasta bake?

It's so easy and inexpensive to make your own, but if you're pushed for time, any shop-bought tomato-based pasta sauce will be fine . I will admit to using these quite regularly! Just check the ingredients list first – it should be short and all ingredients should be recognisable!

Does it matter what pasta you use in a pasta bake?

Penne is a good choice for baked pasta dishes , it holds up well in the oven and is the perfectly sized mouthful. Try using this pasta in a carbonara pasta bake with meat and vegetables. Rigatoni is a large tube noodle that is wider than penne and cut short and straight.

What is the difference between lasagna and pasta bake?

You can swap the lasagna noodles for a thin layer of pasta of your choice, such as penne or even macaroni, but this will transform the dish into a layered pasta bake. It will have a decidedly different texture than lasagna and likely won't cut quite as neatly .

Healthy Mexican Pasta Bake Recipe – Fit Mama Real Food (2024)

You will love this healthy Mexican pasta bake recipe! It is super comforting, veggie loaded, protein packed and a perfectly balanced meal for your next family dinner! Maybe a Mexican noodle casserole never came to mind before… but once you try it, you’ll be hooked on this great recipe!

Jump to Recipe

Mexican pasta bake recipe

We are so obsessed with this mexican pasta bake, and have been for years! This recipe was originally created in 2010. That means it’s been a winner for over 10 years now!

Kids love this Mexican noodle casserole, because pasta is always a hit.

My hubby loves it because it’s hearty, filling, and a really comforting casserole.

I love this taco pasta casserole because its nutritious and EASY to make for any and all busy weeknights.

Whole family dinner winner!

Healthy Mexican PastaBake Recipe – Fit Mama Real Food (2)

Here’s what you’ll need for this easy dinner recipe

macaroni pasta
avocado oil
peppers
onion
ground beef
salsa
black beans
plain yogurt
frozen corn
sharp cheddar
taco and fajita seasoning mix

Healthy Mexican PastaBake Recipe – Fit Mama Real Food (3)

Healthy Mexican PastaBake Recipe – Fit Mama Real Food (4)

How to make mexican pasta bake

Scroll down to view the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions.

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees and coat a large casserole dish in olive oil spray.
Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the noodles and set aside.
Heat a large skillet to medium heat and add the avocado oil. Add the peppers and onion in and saute for 7-9 minutes, until veggies are softer and have a bright color. Add in the ground beef and continue to cook until the meat it no longer pink.
Combine the beef and vegetable mixture in a large bowl with the noodles, salsa, beans, yogurt, corn, half of the cheese cheese, andtaco and fajita seasoning mix. Stir everything together and pour it into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, until fully warmed through and the top becomes a bit crispy. Serve with your favorite taco toppings – a little bit of fresh cilantro is a great touch!

Healthy Mexican PastaBake Recipe – Fit Mama Real Food (5)

Substitutions

Below you’ll find a list of substitutions that will work well in this cheesy taco pasta bake recipe.

If you try something different out, please leave a comment below letting us all know how it turned out!

Macaroni pasta – You’ll want to use a smaller pasta size here – nothing like a spaghetti noodle. A pasta shell, penne pasta, spiral pasta, or another similar smaller shape will work great in this taco casserole.

Ground beef – Lean ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork, or ground bison. If you’re looking for a vegetarian version use your favorite meat substitute here.

Looking for more family dinners? Try these

Sheet pan beef gyros
Sheet pan steak fajitas
Cheesy curry chicken and rice casserole
Healthy high protein beef chili recipe

Healthy Mexican PastaBake Recipe – Fit Mama Real Food (7)

Print Recipe

4.34 from 3 votes

Mexican Pasta Bake

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time40 minutes mins

Ingredients

12 ounces macaroni pasta
1 tbsp avocado oil
2 peppers, chopped (red and green)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 lb ground beef
½ cup salsa
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
½ cup plain yogurt
½ cup frozen corn, defrosted
1 cup sharp cheddar, grated (half in the mixture, half on top)
2 tbsp taco and fajita seasoning mix

Instructions

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees and coat a large casserole dish in olive oil spray.
Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain noodles and set aside.
Heat a large skillet to medium heat and add the avocado oil. Add the peppers and onion in and saute for 7-9 minutes, until veggies are soft. Add in the ground beef and continue to cook until the meat it no longer pink.
Combine the beef/veggie mixture in a bowl with the noodles, salsa, beans, yogurt, corn, half the cheese cheese and taco and fajita seasoning mix. Stir together and pour into the prepared casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.
Bake for 15 minutes, until fully warmed through and the top becomes a bit crispy. Serve with your favorite taco toppings!