Description
This Taco Spaghetti recipe combines the classic flavors of taco seasoning with hearty spaghetti, creating a flavorful and comforting one-pot meal. Ground beef is cooked with onions, garlic, and taco spices, then simmered with tomatoes and sauce before being tossed with spaghetti and topped with melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. A perfect Tex-Mex fusion dish that’s quick, easy, and ideal for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghetti
- 8 ounces spaghetti
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasoning and Sauce
- 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning mix
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1 cup tomato sauce
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh cilantro
- Sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Brown Ground Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until fully browned. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the onion is softened and fragrant.
- Add Seasoning and Tomatoes: Stir in the taco seasoning mix and water, mixing well. Then add the undrained diced tomatoes with green chilies and tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Combine Spaghetti and Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti directly to the skillet with the beef mixture. Toss thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Melt Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over the top of the spaghetti mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce heat to low. Let cook for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the lid and garnish with fresh cilantro and sliced jalapeños if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier variation.
- Add black beans or corn to the skillet for extra texture and flavor.
- Leftovers reheat well and make for a satisfying next-day lunch.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-friendly.
