How to Make Espagueti Rojo (Creamy Mexican Spaghetti)

Espagueti rojo con crema is a creamy Mexican fusion between fideo seco, and spaghetti with marinara sauce. While the recipe is simple to prepare, the flavors are profound due to the garlic, onion, Mexican cream, and sweet tomato sauce that blanket the pasta.

Espagueti rojo cremoso

Mexican espagueti con salsa de tomate is much like its Italian counterpart, except that it has a creamy twist and is much easier to prepare. I’m able to whip up this flavorful recipe in fewer than 30 minutes!

My paternal grandmother first made this delightful dish (she called it crema espagueti) for me in her hometown of Acámbaro, Guanajuato during one of our many family visits to Mexico. Her recipe has since travelled thousands of miles and been prepared by me, my mother, and my three sisters. This flavorful recipe has withstood thousands of miles of travel and its popularity only grows with each person who tastes it.

Espagueti rojo cremoso

INGREDIENTS

Espagueti rojo cremoso

You’ll need just six ingredient to make this creamy Mexican spaghetti:

  • Tomato sauce
  • Mexican crema
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Salt
  • Pasta

RECOMMENDED BY LOLA FOR THIS RECIPE

Enamel Cast-Iron Skillet

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare ingredients

  • Dice onion and garlic.
  • Prepare skillet over medium heat and once hot, add oil. Once oil is hot, add onion and garlic and sauté until onion becomes translucent, about 3 minutes.
  • PRO TIP: Since my daughter doesn’t like chunks of onion or garlic (regardless of how small I dice them!), I sometimes blend the onion and garlic used in this recipe with the tomato sauce and sauté this mixture for a 3-5 minutes in the oil before adding the Mexican cream.
Espagueti rojo cremoso

2. Add sauces

  • Add tomato and cream sauce
Espagueti rojo cremoso

3. Sauté ingredients

  • Lower heat to lowest setting and simmer for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld together. Stir frequently.
  • Add salt, to taste.
Espagueti rojo cremoso

4. Prepare pasta and mix with sauce

  • While sauce simmers, prepare your pasta according to the instructions on package and once it’s ready, strain it.
  • Add cooked pasta to tomato cream sauce and toss noodles until fully coated. I like using tongs for this step.
  • PRO TIP: I typically only cook my pasta for 8 minutes, or until it is al dente, because it will continue to cook in the sauce.
Espagueti rojo cremoso

5. Serve and enjoy

  • Serve immediately and enjoy alone or with your favorite protein and side salad.
  • PRO TIP: Garnish with additional salt, pepper, and queso cotija if desired.
Espagueti rojo cremoso

LOOKING FOR MORE MEXICAN SIDE DISHES?

Espagueti rojo cremoso

Espagueti Rojo Cremoso (Creamy Mexican Spaghetti)

by Lola Dweck
Espagueti rojo con crema can be described as a creamy Mexican fusion between classic fideo seco and spaghetti with marinara sauce.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Pasta Boiling Time 8 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6
Calories 491 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • 3 tablespoons oil
  • 1 tablespoon salt to boil noodles + more, to taste
  • ½ onion diced finely
  • 3 garlic diced finely
  • 15 ounces Mexican crema
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce
  • Pepper optional

Instructions
 

  • Dice onion and garlic. Prepare skillet over medium heat and once hot, add oil. Once oil is hot, add onion and garlic and sauté until onion becomes translucent, about 3 minutes.
    PRO TIP: Since my daughter doesn’t like chunks of onion or garlic (regardless of how small I dice them!), I sometimes blend the onion and garlic used in this recipe with the tomato sauce and sauté this mixture for a 3-5 minutes in the oil before adding the Mexican cream.
  • Add tomato and Mexican cream.
  • Lower heat to lowest setting and simmer for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld together. Stir frequently. Add salt, to taste.
  • While sauce simmers, prepare your pasta according to the instructions on package and once it’s ready, strain it. 
    Add cooked pasta to tomato cream sauce and toss noodles until fully coated. I like using tongs for this step.
    PRO TIP: I typically only cook my pasta for 8 minutes, or until it is al dente, because it will continue to cook in the sauce. 
  • Serve immediately and enjoy alone or with your favorite protein and side salad. I love serving this creamy Mexican spaghetti with milanesa de pollo and an easy cucumber and tomato salad. Sometimes I serve it as a main course, too!
    PRO TIP: Garnish with additional salt, pepper, and queso cotija if desired.

A Note from Lola

STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS

  • Refrigerate Mexican spaghetti in an airtight container for 3-4 days

Nutrition

Calories: 491kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 13gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 1797mgPotassium: 399mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 626IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 145mgIron: 2mg
491
LOVE THIS RECIPE?Leave a comment below or tag me on social media @lolascoina

This recipe was originally published on October 14, 2014 and updated on March 3, 2025 with step-by-step instructions and pictures.

Lola’s Cocina is a small business that earns various revenue streams. This includes sponsored posts and affiliate commissions from linked products, which I use and love, with no extra cost to readers. This income helps sustain the site.

Lola Wiarco Dweck

Lola is a Mexican-American recipe developer, writer, and cooking instructor who loves sharing her culture with the world. Growing up in California and spending summers in Mexico, Lola celebrates her family’s Mexican recipes and vibrant culture through Lola’s Cocina.

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8 Comments

  1. Question – are you sponsored by hunts?!?! gosh, i leave the country for a week or two and you become a big shot! xo