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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Generously coat the beef with zesty taco seasoning, ensuring every morsel is thoroughly seasoned.
- Introduce Rotel tomatoes, rich beef broth, and vibrant tomato sauce to the skillet, blending ingredients and allowing the mixture to gently simmer.
- Snap spaghetti strands in half, nestling them into the flavorful liquid, and carefully maneuver to ensure complete submersion.
- Secure the skillet with a lid, allowing contents to cook for 12-15 minutes, intermittently stirring and monitoring pasta tenderness and liquid absorption.
- Blanket the surface with a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese, covering briefly to facilitate smooth melting for 2-3 minutes.
- Enhance the dish with a sprinkle of diced red onion, fresh cilantro, and optional complementary garnishes.
- 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