Description
Monterey spaghetti brings together creamy cheeses, tender chicken, and green chiles in a comforting pasta dish. California cuisine shines through this simple yet satisfying meal that will delight you at the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces (113 grams) spaghetti, noodles broken into 2-inch pieces, cooked
- 1 (10-ounce) (284 grams) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
Dairy and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Seasoning and Topping:
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 (2.8-ounce) (79 grams) can crispy fried onions, divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, preparing a welcoming environment for the culinary creation.
- Thoroughly coat a 2-quart baking dish with a light layer of grease to prevent sticking.
- Whisk the egg in a spacious mixing bowl until smooth and uniform.
- Incorporate sour cream, parmesan cheese, and garlic powder into the whisked egg, blending until a harmonious mixture forms.
- Fold in the cooked spaghetti, Monterey Jack cheese, spinach, and half of the crispy fried onions, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out uniformly.
- Cover the dish and bake for approximately 30 minutes, allowing the ingredients to heat thoroughly and meld together.
- Sprinkle the remaining fried onions across the top of the spaghetti mixture.
- Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, or until the onions transform into a golden-brown, crispy topping.
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately while piping hot, offering a delightful blend of textures and flavors.
Notes
- Prep Ahead: Cook spaghetti and cool slightly before mixing to prevent egg from scrambling and ensure even coating.
- Cheese Swap: Replace Monterey Jack with cheddar or mozzarella for different flavor profiles while maintaining creamy texture.
- Veggie Boost: Add extra vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for increased nutrition and texture variation.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free spaghetti and verify fried onions are gluten-free to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 478
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 114 mg