Name: Taco Spaghetti
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 Tablespoons olive oil; 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey; ½ cup diced yellow onion; 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper; 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper; 2 teaspoons minced garlic; 1 ounce taco seasoning (1 packet (or make your own homemade taco seasoning)); 10 ounces Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles (1 can); 8 ounces spaghetti; 2 1/2 cups beef broth; 1 cup Mexican cheese (shredded)

This easy Taco Spaghetti is a mouth-watering one-pot meal that’s both Tex-Mex and Italian-inspired. It’s a delicious and hearty 30-minute dish you can make without having to mess up every pot in the kitchen.

A pan full of spaghetti with meat and vegetables.

Table of Contents

Cheesy Taco Spaghetti Recipe

Are you looking for a new and delicious way to add south-of-the-border flavors to taco night? This one-pot taco spaghetti is a fantastic option. It’s a scrumptious twist on the traditional spaghetti recipes, and the best part is that it’s a breeze to prepare and clean up.

Juicy ground beef is seasoned with the tasty Mexican flavors of tacos and simmered in a robust tomato sauce. Everything cooks in the same skillet, creating an easy and delicious meal the whole family will love. Even your picky eaters will be back for seconds!

This Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti and this easy California Spaghetti Salad are two other popular pasta recipes that always get rave reviews.

Why We Love This Recipe

One-pot-wonder – The taco meat, savory sauce, and the al dente pasta are all cooked together in one pot.
Easy weeknight dinner – This recipe makes a complete meal that you can prepare in under 30 minutes.
Amazing flavors – This great recipe combines Italian flavors with all your favorite taco flavors in one dish.

Ingredients:

Lean ground beef – you can also use ground chicken or ground turkey.
Diced yellow onion – you can use white onion or onion powder instead.
Diced red and green bell pepper – adds a lot of flavor to the meat mixture.
Minced garlic – we used fresh garlic, but you can use garlic powder if that’s what you have on hand.
A packet of taco seasoning – or make your own homemade taco seasoning.
Rotel tomatoes and green chilies – You can use the mild or spicy version, depending on how much heat you want.
Spaghetti noodles – We used regular spaghetti, but you can use ziti, angel hair, or any of your favorite pastas.
Beef broth – Enhances the beefy flavor and loosens up the sauce.
Shredded Mexican cheese blend – Use the pre-shredded blend to make things easy.

How to Make One Pot Taco Pasta

Step One: Brown the Beef

First step in preparing Taco Spaghetti is to brown meat in a frying pan and add vegetables.

In a large skillet or frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the pound of ground beef, chopped onion, and bell peppers, and cook until the meat is no longer pink and has browned.

Step Two: Add Seasonings and Tomatoes

Next step in preparing Taco Spaghetti is to add tomatoe sauce and seasoning.

Add minced garlic
Take the packet of taco seasoning and sprinkle it over the cooked beef mixture. Stir well to evenly coat the beef with the seasoning.
Pour in the diced tomatoes (including the juices) over the seasoned ground beef.

Step Three: Add the Pasta

Another step in preparing Taco Spaghetti is to add the pasta noodles into the mixture.

Add the uncooked spaghetti to the skillet, and pour in the beef broth. Stir to combine all the ingredients.

Tip: You may have to break spaghetti in half if it doesn’t fit in the skillet.

Step Four: Simmer until Done and Serve

Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top. Gently stir to distribute until the cheese melts. Serve immediately.

Variations

Creamy sauce – If you prefer a creamy sauce, you can add some cream cheese or a can of cream of chicken soup.
Other veggies – Feel free to add some black beans, corn kernels, or mushrooms to the meat mixture.
Seasonings – You can add any herbs or spices you prefer. Fresh cilantro works really well with this sauce. Red pepper flakes will give your dish a kick of heat.
Cheese – Swap out the Mexican cheese for mozzarella, Pepper Jack, or cheddar cheese.
Toppings – This dish is great the way it is, but feel free to add any of your favorite taco toppings. A dollop of sour cream, green onions, or black olives are tasty options.

How Do I Store Leftovers?

Store leftover spaghetti in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. This dish also freezes well for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. You can reheat it over medium-high heat in a skillet or in a microwave-safe dish until warm.

Can I Bake This Spaghetti?

You can, but there are a few extra steps involved. After cooking the meat and vegetables in the skillet, transfer everything to a baking dish. Add the uncooked spaghetti, beef broth, and all other ingredients to the baking dish.

Cover the dish with foil and place it in the preheated 350-degree oven. Bake for about 25–30 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the cheese is nice and bubbly. Uncover the dish for the last 5–10 minutes to brown the cheese, if desired.

Taco Spaghetti

Cheesy Taco Spaghetti Recipe

Why We Love This Recipe

Ingredients: