Taco Spaghetti recipe
Discover the best easy Taco Spaghetti recipe! A delicious one-pot meal combining savory taco flavors with classic spaghetti, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner the whole family will love. Get tips, variations, and more!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb lean ground beef (80/20 or 90/10)
- 1 packet taco seasoning (about 1 oz) or 2–3 tbsp homemade taco seasoning
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes & green chilies, undrained (or 1 can petite diced tomatoes + 1 small can mild diced green chiles, drained)
- 3 cups low-sodium beef broth (or water)
- 8 oz uncooked spaghetti, broken in half
- 1.5 to 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend / Colby Jack)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook another minute.
- Brown the Beef: Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook 5–7 minutes until browned. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Season the Meat: Stir in taco seasoning and cook for 1–2 minutes to bloom the spices.
- Add Liquids & Tomatoes: Pour in broth and Rotel (or tomato/chile mix). Stir and scrape up brown bits from the pot.
- Add Spaghetti: Break spaghetti in half and add to the pot. Gently press to submerge.
- Simmer: Cover and simmer on medium-low for 15–20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until pasta is al dente and liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Cheese It Up: Remove from heat, add ⅔ of shredded cheese, and stir until melted.
- Garnish & Serve: Top with remaining cheese and chopped cilantro. Serve hot. Add sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, or lime if desired.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, stir in 2–4 tbsp cream cheese at the end.
- To add heat: include cayenne, red pepper flakes, or diced jalapeños.
- Swap beef for turkey, chicken, or plant-based ground.
- Add veggies like corn, bell peppers, black olives, or spinach for variation.
- Pre-shredded cheese is fine, but freshly grated cheese melts better.
