The Best Taco Spaghetti Recipe for Zesty Family Dinners

Dinner just got a whole lot more exciting with this mouth-watering taco spaghetti that combines two beloved classics into one incredible meal.

Packed with zesty flavors and hearty ingredients, this recipe brings a spicy Mexican twist to traditional pasta dishes.

The melted cheese creates a golden blanket over perfectly seasoned ground beef and tender noodles.

Each forkful promises a delightful explosion of textures and tastes that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Weeknight cooking becomes a breeze with this simple yet satisfying dish that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Comfort food reaches new heights when Italian and Mexican cuisines dance together on your plate.

Prepare to fall in love with a dinner that breaks all the culinary rules in the most delicious way possible.

Why Taco Spaghetti Is a Family Favorite

• Craft a Classic Dessert: Create an authentic Philadelphia-style cheesecake that brings restaurant-quality taste right to your kitchen with simple ingredients and straightforward steps.
• Customize Your Crowd-Pleaser: Personalize this dessert by adding various toppings like fresh berries, chocolate drizzle, or caramel sauce to match different preferences and make each slice unique.
• Master a Bakery-Worthy Technique: Learn professional baking methods like gradual cooling and precise mixing that guarantee a smooth, crack-free cheesecake with perfect texture every single time.
• Impress Without Stress: Prepare a stunning dessert that looks professionally made but requires minimal culinary skills, making it ideal for home bakers of all experience levels.

Taco Spaghetti Ingredients Ready for Your Kitchen

• Ground Beef: A flavorful and hearty protein that provides the main meaty texture for the dish.

• Spaghetti: The classic pasta that serves as the base of this taco-inspired one-pot meal.
• Beef Broth: Adds rich flavor and helps cook the pasta while creating a delicious sauce.
• Rotel Tomatoes: Brings a zesty and spicy tomato element to the dish.
• Tomato Sauce: Provides additional moisture and depth of tomato flavor.

• Taco Seasoning: A blend of spices that gives the dish its signature Mexican-inspired flavor profile.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds creamy richness and a sharp cheese flavor to the top of the dish.

• Red Onion, Fresh Cilantro: Provide fresh, crisp finishing touches with bright flavor and color.

• Olive Oil: Used to start the cooking process and prevent sticking.

Taco Spaghetti Directions From Start To Finish

Step 1: Sizzle Beef in Skillet

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Drop ground beef into the pan and break it into small crumbles while cooking until fully browned.

Drain away any extra grease from the meat.

Step 2: Spice Up the Meat

Sprinkle taco seasoning generously over the cooked beef.

Stir thoroughly to ensure every morsel gets coated with zesty flavor.

Step 3: Create Flavor-Packed Sauce

• Rotel tomatoes
• Beef broth
• Tomato sauce

Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Cook Spaghetti in Sauce

Break spaghetti noodles in half and drop them directly into the skillet. Mix carefully to make sure pasta is completely covered by liquid.

Step 5: Simmer and Soften

Cover the skillet and cook for 12-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Cook until spaghetti becomes tender and most liquid is absorbed.

Step 6: Melt Cheesy Topping

Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the dish.

Cover and let cheese melt for 2-3 minutes until perfectly gooey.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

• Diced red onion
• Fresh cilantro
• Optional extra toppings

Serve hot and enjoy immediately.

Kitchen Notes Before Making Taco Spaghetti

• Remove excess grease completely from ground beef to prevent a greasy dish and ensure a cleaner flavor profile.
• Adjust taco seasoning intensity by adding more or less based on personal heat preference and taste.
• Break spaghetti evenly and stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure uniform cooking throughout the skillet.
• Let cheese melt slowly with lid on for even distribution and creamy consistency across the entire dish.
• Add garnishes like cilantro and red onion just before serving to maintain their crisp texture and bright flavor.

Different Ways to Change Up Taco Spaghetti

• Vegetarian Taco Spaghetti: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans, using vegetable broth for added flavor.
• Chicken Taco Pasta: Swap ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken or diced chicken breast for a lighter protein option.
• Gluten-Free Fiesta Noodles: Use gluten-free spaghetti or zucchini noodles to accommodate wheat-sensitive diets, maintaining the same spicy taco seasoning.
• Spicy Mexican Fusion: Add diced jalapeños, use pepper jack cheese, and incorporate chipotle seasoning for an extra kick of heat and complexity.

Sides That Pair Well With Taco Spaghetti

• Match the bold taco-inspired flavors with a classic margarita that cuts through the richness of the cheesy spaghetti, bringing a tangy and refreshing counterpoint to each bite.
• Create a crisp, light coleslaw with a hint of lime and cilantro to balance the hearty, spicy pasta, adding a refreshing texture that complements the main dish's bold profile.
• Select a light Mexican beer like Corona or Modelo to wash down the robust flavors, its crisp and clean taste providing a perfect liquid counterpoint to the cheesy, meaty spaghetti.

Taco Spaghetti: Freshness and Storing Made Easy

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish, add 2-3 tablespoons of water or broth to prevent drying. Cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Warm in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding splashes of beef broth to maintain moisture. Stir gently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
• Transfer to freezer-safe container, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating using microwave or stovetop method.

FAQs

• Is this dish spicy?

The heat level depends on the taco seasoning you use. Choose mild, medium, or hot seasoning based on your preference. You can also add diced jalapeños for extra kick.

• Can I use a different type of meat?

Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat alternatives work great in this recipe. Just ensure you brown the meat completely before adding seasonings.

• What if I don't have Rotel tomatoes?

Use regular diced tomatoes and add a small can of green chiles for similar flavor. If you want more spice, include a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper.

• Do I need to drain the pasta separately?

No, this is a one-pot meal. The spaghetti cooks directly in the seasoned liquid, absorbing all the delicious taco flavors as it cooks.

Taco Spaghetti Recipe

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4.7 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Spicy taco spaghetti delivers a mouthwatering Mexican-Italian fusion that blends zesty ground beef, melted cheese, and pasta perfection. Comfort meets excitement in this quick, crowd-pleasing dinner you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef

Pasta and Base:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup tomato sauce

Seasonings and Toppings:

• 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tablespoons homemade blend)
• 1 can Rotel tomatoes (diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat, then sauté ground beef until it transforms into golden brown crumbles, carefully draining any excess fat.
2. Generously coat the beef with zesty taco seasoning, ensuring every morsel is thoroughly seasoned.
3. Introduce Rotel tomatoes, rich beef broth, and vibrant tomato sauce to the skillet, blending ingredients and allowing the mixture to gently simmer.
4. Snap spaghetti strands in half, nestling them into the flavorful liquid, and carefully maneuver to ensure complete submersion.
5. Secure the skillet with a lid, allowing contents to cook for 12-15 minutes, intermittently stirring and monitoring pasta tenderness and liquid absorption.
6. Blanket the surface with a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese, covering briefly to facilitate smooth melting for 2-3 minutes.
7. Enhance the dish with a sprinkle of diced red onion, fresh cilantro, and optional complementary garnishes.
8. Serve piping hot, directly from the skillet for maximum flavor and visual appeal.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version that keeps the dish’s bold flavors intact.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium taco seasoning and broth, which helps control salt intake without sacrificing taste.
• Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and ensure everything is ready when needed for smooth execution.
• Customize toppings like sliced jalapeños, sour cream, or avocado to add personal flair and extra texture to the final dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 480 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg