Description
Taco Spaghetti is a flavorful and easy-to-make Mexican-American fusion dish combining classic taco ingredients with hearty spaghetti. This one-pan meal features seasoned ground beef simmered with tomatoes and taco spices, tossed with al dente pasta, and topped with a delicious blend of melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Customize it with toppings like sour cream, avocado, and jalapeños for a fun family-friendly dinner everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup water
- 1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies (undrained)
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Chopped cilantro
- Diced avocado
- Sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to keep warm.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
- Add Seasoning and Sauce: Stir the taco seasoning packet, water, undrained Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, and tomato sauce into the cooked beef. Reduce heat and let this mixture simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti directly into the skillet with the beef and sauce mixture. Toss well to ensure the pasta is thoroughly coated with the savory sauce.
- Cheese Topping and Melt: Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese over the spaghetti in the skillet. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook on low heat for 3 to 5 minutes until the cheeses melt and become gooey.
- Serve & Garnish: Serve the taco spaghetti warm, topped with your choice of sour cream, chopped cilantro, diced avocado, and sliced jalapeños for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken in place of beef for a lighter version.
- Adding black beans or corn enhances texture and nutritional value.
- For dietary variations, use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta if preferred.
