Huevos Rancheros Spaghetti

Spaghetti for breakfast? Totally acceptable if it’s this Huevos Rancheros Spaghetti dish! Extremely easy to make for either brunch or dinner, there’s a good chance you have all the ingredients in your pantry right now.

(This recipe for Huevos Rancheros Spaghetti was originally published in January 2013, but was updated with new photos in 2018).

Things we would not have if it weren’t for Oprah:

1) Forever images of Tom Cruise jumping up and down on a couch acting all out of control (AKA the end of the world’s obsession with Tom Cruise and the realization that he’s a tad bit cray-cray).

2) A love for reading in America. Just kidding. But really. You know some people legit did not read books until Oprah’s Book Club came into existence.

3) Dr. Phil. Dr. Oz. Nate Berkus. Rachael Ray. Suze Orman. I really, really love Dr. Phil. Don’t make fun of me.

4) A love for Gayle King. She’s awesome.

5) Fun yelling, “and you get a car! And you get a car!” whenever giving something out to a group of people (seriously, try it. It’s fun).

6) This Huevos Rancheros Spaghetti.

I wish I remembered what I was Googling when I came across this Huevos Rancheros Spaghetti on Oprah’s website. All I know is that I wasn’t looking for recipes and the first thing I thought when I saw the recipe was “ew” and “how weird” and I immediately clicked off. But then I couldn’t stop thinking about it. And I realized I had everything I’d need to make it just sitting in my kitchen dying to be turned into this dish. Plus more ingredients that I knew would make it even better. And so I made it. And kind of loved it.

Admittedly, spaghetti for breakfast is weird. It probably makes you think of Elf. That’s why I’m promoting this dish as the ideal brunch dish. Or breakfast for dinner. Because it was also Oprah who taught me about “skinny fat,” which forever freaks me out. Now she’s telling me to eat pasta for breakfast? But the more I thought about it, anyway, maybe spaghetti for breakfast isn’t so weird after all? I mean, isn’t it better to pack those carbs in before you start your busy day than it is before you go to bed? This could be revolutionary. Just another way Oprah is still changing your life. (disclaimer: to be fair, this dish is obviously not Oprah’s invention. It was simply featured on her website. It’s actually the creation of Melissa d’Arabian of Ten Dollar Dinners. But still. Oprah’s bringing the good stuff to the people. Like she always has).

HUEVOS RANCHEROS SPAGHETTI RECIPE

Chances are, you already have all these ingredients sitting in your pantry and fridge, too. All you need for the dish is spaghetti (feel free to use whole wheat if you prefer), frozen corn, black beans, salsa, ground chipotle pepper, a habanero pepper (though you can certainly use the spicy pepper of your choice), and eggs. I garnished the dish with cheddar cheese, avocado, scallions, and cilantro, but you can use absolutely anything you want or happen to have on hand.

Everything goes into the pot aside from the eggs and garnishes. And when you’re ready to serve your huevos rancheros spaghetti up, just divide it between four plates and top each with an egg and your garnishes.

Isn’t that super easy? That’s just one reason it’s the ideal brunch dish. If you’re having people over, it’s super simple to throw some pasta on and all you really have to worry about is cooking up the eggs. You don’t even have to make a sauce because the salsa is literally the sauce. Mind blown.

It’s also pretty unique and I bet most people at your brunch will be like “whoa… spaghetti for breakfast?” But then they’ll try it and start coming around, especially after a) they realize how fabulous it is and b) you explain to them how pasta really makes a lot more sense as a breakfast food. Especially when a protein like an egg is involved. And if that doesn’t work, just remind them how awesome Elf is. And then maybe get out a bottle of maple syrup.

I personally loved this dish because I love Mexican food and this involved all my favorite elements. Of course, huevos rancheros are fabulous when served with tortillas, but huevos rancheros spaghetti is just plain fun.

The next time I make this dish, I might try it with quinoa. Quinoa is already an ideal dinner AND breakfast food and would make a lot of sense in this dish. And then I could eat it every day without having to tell people I ate spaghetti for dinner.

Again, NOT that I feel guilty about that. In fact, I’ve made many nontraditional breakfasts in my time… Like this Breakfast Risotto, Boston Baked Beans and Eggs, and a French Toast BLT. Who the heck cares what time a day it is? Eat what you want!

And you’re getting spaghetti for breakfast! And you’re getting spaghetti for breakfast! Sorry.

But seriously, thanks, Oprah. Thanks for giving us so much. This Huevos Rancheros Spaghetti is just more proof of how awesome you are.

Would you eat pasta for breakfast?

If you like this recipe, be sure to check out my Pasta with Spicy Sausage, Basil, and Mustard and my Angel Hair Alfredo with Jalapeño and Pancetta. I also love this Cheesy Tex Mex Pasta from Dinner then Dessert.