Change up traditional Italian Spaghetti Dinner for a Mexican spin! Pasta pairs perfectly with fresh Salsa Verde for a simple, easy, unexpected pasta dinner.
I used Homemade Salsa Verde as the base for this unique pasta sauce. This Mexican Style Spaghetti is great served with Mexican Corn Salad on the side or a Spinach Avocado Salad.
Salsa Verde Spaghetti
I could eat pasta every single day of my life.
It is this busy, frugal Mom's dream come true--it cooks up fast, is inexpensive, full of fiber and protein (when using whole grain pasta), and my kids love it!
Pasta gets a bad rap for being an unhealthy choice for dinner, but that is simply just not true. When prepared correctly, and served with vegetables, I have plenty of Healthy Pasta Recipes that prove Pasta is actually quite a healthy, inexpensive meal.
From Classic Red Sauce with noodles, Creamy Chicken Parmesan, Lasagna, and even pasta salads, my love for pasta runs deep. And pasta typically falls into this busy mom's favorite category-30 Minute Meals!!!
My newest obsession is my Mexican-Italian fusion--Salsa Verde Spaghetti!
Salsa Verde Spaghetti is simply al dente noodles slathered in an easy homemade Salsa Verde, topped with fresh cilantro, and crumbled queso fresco cheese. This easy pasta recipe hits all the notes---salty, tangy, a bit spicy, and so fresh. Bottom line--good!!
How to Make Mexican Spaghetti
I love making a large batch of Salsa Verde at home. It is really quite simple to make and I can make large batches to freeze for use in easy meals, like this Salsa Verde Spaghetti recipe. However, you can simply use your favorite jarred salsa verde for an even quicker dinner recipe.
Then prepping this meal is as easy as boiling water. All you need to do is cook pasta and then toss the cooked pasta with salsa verde, a bit of olive oil, and cilantro. It is incredibly simple!
Pro Tip: Do not miss the step to reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water, this will help flavor the Salsa Verde Pasta Sauce and help the sauce adhere to the noodles.
Tips on Salsa Verde Spaghetti
- Making your own Salsa Verde is really easy and adds so much bright flavor to this dish. However, in a bind, I won't tell if you use a jar of store-bought Salsa Verde.
- If you leave the queso fresco off the dish, you would be left with a delicious vegan pasta dish.
- Use gluten-free noodles if you need this recipe to be gluten-free.
- Any noodles will work for this recipe, but I prefer spaghetti paired with this Mexican green sauce.
More Meatless Pasta Recipes
Salsa Verde Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 2 cups salsa verde
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- 1 lime
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 pound whole grain spaghetti
- ½ cup crumbled queso fresco optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Cook the spaghetti in boiling heavily salted water for 1 minute less than package direction states.
- Drain pasta after cooked, reserving ½ cup cooking liquid.
- Place noodles back in pan over low heat. Add in salsa verde and ¼ cup cooking liquid. Stir to coat, adding the remaining water if needed, cook for 1 minute.
- Toss with queso fresco and any reserved chopped cilantro.
Notes
- Making your own Salsa Verde is really easy and adds so much bright flavor to this dish. However, in a bind, I won't tell if you use a jar of store bought Salsa Verde.
- If you leave the queso fresco off the dish, you would be left with a delicious vegan pasta dish.
- Use gluten-free noodles for a Gluten Free Mexican Spaghetti.
Liesl Irwin
This looks delicious! About how many recipes' worth of your salsa verde would be needed to make 2 cups?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Liesl. One recipe will be plenty 🙂 You may even have a little leftover. Enjoy!