Description
Taco Spaghetti is a delicious fusion dish combining the bold flavors of Tex-Mex tacos with classic spaghetti. Ground beef simmered in taco seasoning, tomatoes with green chilies, and melty cheeses create a comforting and flavorful pasta meal perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti
For the Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix (or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning)
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Optional Toppings
- Chopped cilantro
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced jalapeños
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Brown the Beef and Onion: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion, cooking until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Combine Seasonings and Liquids: Add the taco seasoning, diced tomatoes with green chilies (with juices), tomato sauce, and water to the skillet. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat all the pasta thoroughly with the meat sauce.
- Add Cheese and Melt: Sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the pasta. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook on low heat for 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and gooey.
- Serve: Dish out portions of the taco spaghetti and top with optional garnishes such as chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, and a dollop of sour cream as desired.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, use hot diced tomatoes with chilies or add crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- For a creamier texture, stir in a few tablespoons of sour cream or cream cheese into the sauce before mixing in the pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 760 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
