Noodles Mexicana
Noodles Mexicana is a hearty, flavorful dish combining tender noodles with savory seasoned vegetables and meatless burger, topped with cheese and spices. Perfect for a comforting family meal or casual gathering, it offers bold Mexican-inspired flavors with a satisfying texture and easy preparation.
Ingredients
- 1 can Vegeburger ⓘ
- 3/4 cup diced green pepper ⓘ
- 3/4 cup diced onion ⓘ
- 2 to 3 garlic cloves, diced ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 8 ounces thin noodles ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 17 ounces can cream-style corn ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives ⓘ
- 8 ounces can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 8 ounces can stewed tomatoes (Mexican style) ⓘ
- 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons paprika ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown the vegeburger, diced onion, green pepper, and diced garlic in oil.
- Stir in salt, cream-style corn, sliced black olives, tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, grated Cheddar cheese, and paprika.
- Cook the noodles as directed on the package; drain.
- Combine the cooked noodles with the meat and vegetable mixture.
- Pour the mixture into a 2 1/2-quart casserole.
- Cover and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a spicier kick, add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the mixture. You can substitute vegeburger with crumbled tofu or a different plant-based protein if desired. Feel free to use whole wheat noodles for a healthier option or swap the Cheddar for a dairy-free cheese to make this dish vegan. Consider serving with a side of Cheese-Bean Dip for added flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Noodles Mexicana hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or a dollop of sour cream if desired. This dish pairs beautifully with a side of Easy Chile Cheese for added richness. Consider a light salad or Mexican-style corn on the side to complete the meal and balance the flavors. It's a perfect dish for potlucks or family gatherings.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a microwave-safe dish and heat on medium power for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, covered with foil to prevent drying out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Noodles Mexicana contains roughly 2022 calories, with 44g protein, 166g carbohydrates, and 148g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (333% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (175% of the Daily Value), and iron (170% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2650mg per serving (115% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the Noodles Mexicana a day in advance. Assemble the casserole and store it covered in the refrigerator. Just bake it when you're ready to serve, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if it's cold from the fridge.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
The original recipe is not gluten-free due to the use of thin noodles. However, you can easily substitute with gluten-free pasta options available in stores. Just ensure to cook the gluten-free noodles according to package instructions for best results.
What can I use instead of cream-style corn?
If you don't have cream-style corn, you can blend regular corn with a bit of cream or milk for a similar texture. Alternatively, use canned corn and add a tablespoon of cornstarch to thicken the mixture. This keeps the dish creamy while maintaining the corn flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).