Taco Spaghetti

Introduction

Taco Spaghetti is the best of both worlds—comforting pasta meets bold taco flavors. Instead of a traditional red sauce, this dish uses seasoned ground beef, taco spices, and a creamy tomato base to coat spaghetti noodles. It’s cheesy, hearty, and perfect for weeknight dinners when you’re craving something fun and filling. Bonus: it all comes together in one pot, which means minimal cleanup!

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients (4–6 servings)

12 oz (340 g) spaghetti noodles

1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion (diced)

3 cloves garlic (minced)

1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade mix: 1 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp cumin, ½ tsp paprika, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp cayenne, salt & pepper)

1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)

1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce

2 cups chicken or beef broth

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican blend cheese

½ cup sour cream

2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (optional)

Toppings: sliced jalapeños, avocado, crushed tortilla chips, extra sour cream

Instructions

Cook Pasta (10 minutes)

In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil.

Cook spaghetti until al dente (about 9–10 minutes). Drain and set aside.

Cook Beef & Season (8 minutes)

While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Add ground beef and onion. Cook until beef is browned and onion is soft (about 5–6 minutes).

Stir in garlic and taco seasoning; cook 1 minute more until fragrant.

Make the Sauce (7 minutes)

Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth to the skillet. Stir well.

Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for about 6–7 minutes, allowing flavors to blend.

Combine & Add Cheese (5 minutes)

Add drained spaghetti into the skillet with sauce. Toss to coat evenly.

Stir in sour cream and half the shredded cheese until creamy.

Melt & Serve (5 minutes)

Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Cover with lid for 2–3 minutes until melted.

Garnish with cilantro, jalapeños, or tortilla chips before serving.

Tips & Variations

One-pot version: Cook spaghetti directly in the sauce (add extra broth), making it even easier.

Spicy kick: Use hot Rotel or add diced jalapeños when cooking the beef.

Lighter option: Swap sour cream for Greek yogurt and use ground turkey.

Tex-Mex twist: Top with black beans, corn, or sliced olives before serving.