Taco Spaghetti Recipe
This irresistible One-Pot Taco Spaghetti Recipe fuses the classic flavors of tacos with the convenience and texture of Italian spaghetti noodles for an easy and delicious weeknight dinner. Ready in just 30 minutes!
Servings: 5 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 white onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ jalapeño seeded and diced (optional)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon Mexican oregano or regular oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel see notes
- 8 ounces spaghetti pasta
- 2 cups beef broth plus more if needed
- 1 cup Colby jack cheese freshly shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese freshly shredded
- ½ cup Mexican crema or sour cream (at room temp)
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a deep pan or a large Dutch oven set over medium-high heat. Crumble the meat into smaller and smaller pieces until it is completely cooked, about 8 minutes. Drain the grease then set the beef aside for later.
- Add two tablespoons of oil to the same pan that was used to cook the ground beef. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic, jalapeño (if using), tomato paste, chili powder, salt, oregano, cumin, and black pepper, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the can of Rotel to the onions and spices, mixing well to combine.
- Add the dried spaghetti noodles to the pan (there's no need to mix) and top with the beef broth. The pasta should be covered by broth; if necessary add one additional cup of beef broth.
- Increase the heat to high and bring just to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for approximately 8-10 minutes or until the spaghetti is cooked to al dente (stir everything together about halfway through cooking).
- Stir in the cooked beef and Mexican crema, then remove from heat. Cover with a lid and allow the pasta to rest for approximately 5 minutes. This allows enough time for the flavors to meld and for everything to reach the same temperature.
- Finally, add the shredded cheese and stir until melted. Garnish with jalapeño slices, green onions, and freshly minced cilantro if desired.
Notes
- What is Rotel? Rotel is a brand of diced tomatoes and green chilies. Feel free to use plain canned tomatoes or another brand of diced tomatoes and green chiles if preferred.
- Can this recipe be made with ground turkey or chicken? Yes. However, it may need just a little extra seasoning since ground turkey and chicken aren't as flavorful as ground beef.
- Can I make this recipe with other types of pasta? Yes. Linguine will give the same vibe as spaghetti noodles. Other favorites are bowtie and penne.
- You can also make your own homemade taco seasoning and use it to make this recipe. Omit the chili powder, salt, oregano, cumin, and black pepper, and replace it with 1.5-2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning.
- Leftovers: Keep leftovers stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 589kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 1321mg | Potassium: 713mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 773IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 387mg | Iron: 4mg
