Taco Spaghetti (One Pot)
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Posted: 07/08/24
Updated: 09/04/24
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Quick and easy One Pot Taco Spaghetti is full of flavor and so easy to make! An easy spaghetti recipe with tons of flavor from taco seasoning, cheese and more. This is soon to be a go-to dinner on busy nights.
Looking for meals that will make your weeknights easier? Then this recipe is sure to become a favorite! One pot taco spaghetti is the best quick dinner. You can make this Mexican inspired pasta dish in a total time of 40 minutes. Pair it with some easy sides like a Doritos taco salad or fluffy dinner rolls and you’ve got a Tex Mex pasta night fusion dinner that everyone will love!
I love to serve this meal because it’s loaded with flavor and is packed full of protein. It never disappoints and even the picky eaters gobble it right up! Every bite is a taco pasta fiesta and it’s such an easy meal to make. A definite win win situation!
Why You’ll Love Taco Spaghetti
- This easy weeknight dinner is made in just one pot! The easy cleanup will keep your from having to be in the kitchen all evening washing dishes.
- You can easily get 6 hearty servings from one pot of delicious taco spaghetti. And if you need more, just make another pot or two so that you have more than enough to go around.
- Easily make substitutions or additions to fit your dietary needs and preferences. This is a very adaptable dish!
Ingredients for Taco Spaghetti
- Spaghetti noodles – Grab a box of your favorite spaghetti noodles to make this delicious one pot meal.
- Ground beef – Use lean ground beef so that this dish is not too greasy.
- Taco seasoning – Grab a packet of taco seasoning of make your own homemade taco seasoning.
- Cilantro – Fresh cilantro adds load of flavor to this dish and really make all the difference!
- Monterey jack cheese – Make this dish extra yummy with shredded Monterey jack cheese.
- Tomato sauce – Instead of spaghetti sauce, use tomato sauce so that the flavors pair well with the taco meat.
- Tomato paste – Add more of the bright flavor of tomato with a bit of tomato paste.
- Worcestershire sauce – The rich flavor of Worcestershire sauce is a great addition to this one-pot taco spaghetti recipe.
- Onion – Dice up a white onion or yellow onion to use in the pasta dish.
- Rotel tomatoes – To add some kick, you can get a can of the hot Rotel instead of the original.
- Beef broth – I recommend using beef broth because it makes this dish so much more rich in flavor. However, chicken broth will work too.
- Garlic – Minced garlic takes this dish to the next level!
- Cheddar cheese – Using both Monterey jack and cheddar shredded cheese ensures there is gooey, melty cheese in every single bite. A Mexican cheese blend or Colby jack would work too.
Helpful Tools
How to Make Taco Spaghetti
Add the ground beef and diced onion to a Dutch oven or a large pot and cook over medium heat. Cook until the beef is browned and onions are soft.
Then add the minced garlic, stir well and cook for another minute.
Add the Rotel, tomato sauce, taco seasoning, beef broth, tomato pasta and Worcestershire sauce and stir well. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Once boiling, add the spaghetti noodles and then reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 15-18 minutes, until spaghetti noodles are tender. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pot as you stir.
With about 5 minutes of cook time left, stir in the cheese and let it melt.
Then remove the taco spaghetti from heat, garnish with fresh cilantro and serve.
How to Store Taco Spaghetti
Transfer leftover taco spaghetti to an airtight container and allow it to fully cool. Then store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
How to Reheat Leftovers
To reheat, put it into the microwave or on the stove top until warmed through.
Can you freeze taco spaghetti?
Yes! Place leftover easy taco spaghetti into an airtight container and allow it to cool completely. Then store leftovers in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw completely before reheating.
What can I add to taco spaghetti?
There are tons of different things you can add to taco spaghetti! Black beans or pinto beans would add loads of protein. Or you could go the veggie route and adds some bell pepper, diced carrots, or diced zucchini. Corn would also be a tasty addition to this yummy dish! Add some spice by using green chiles or mixing in some red pepper flakes.
You can also serve this dish with tons of your favorite taco toppings! Sour cream, green onion, shredded cheese, fresh pico would all be yummy.
What to Serve with Taco Spaghetti
Serve this yummy meal with homemade breadsticks as the ultimate comfort food side dish. Or, you could stick with the super easy route and make something like air fryer potatoes or air fryer garlic bread.
Veggies like green beans with bacon and glazed carrots would also be wonderful dishes to serve.
Pro Tips for the Best Taco Spaghetti Recipe
- Feel free to use ground turkey or ground chicken in place of the ground beef in this recipe.
- If you don’t have spaghetti noodles, you can use other types of pasta! Penne and rotini would be great, or stick with the long noodles and use angel hair pasta.
- Make sure to periodically stir the dish while the noodles cook. This will help ensure that it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
Simmer your way to the most perfect pasta dish! You’ll love this quick meal for an easy dinnertime. And if you enjoy these, then check out spaghetti tacos or Instant Pot Spaghetti.
More One Pot Meals You’ll Love!
- One Pot Chicken Spagetti is a super easy twist on a major classic dish. You’ll love this simple recipe!
- Make One Pot Pizza Pasta when those picky eaters are begging for pizza but you want to serve a home-cooked meal instead.
- Skip the takeout and make Chicken Fried Rice in your own kitchen instead!
- Instant Pot Chicken Wings are the one pot meal you didn’t know you needed. Perfect for game day and more!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Taco Spaghetti
Quick and easy Taco Spaghetti is made in one pot and full of flavor.
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
- 10- ounces Rotel tomatoes
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 ounce taco seasoning
- 4 cups low sodium beef broth
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 12 ounces spaghetti noodles
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
- Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef and onions in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions are soft.
- Add the garlic, stir to combine and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Add in the Rotel tomatoes, tomato sauce, taco seasoning, beef broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add in the spaghetti noodles. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the spaghetti is tender, approximately 15-18 minutes. Scrape the bottom of the pot several times and stir frequently.
- With about 5 minutes of time left on the cook timer stir in the cheese and let it melt.
- Remove from heat, garnish with chopped cilantro if desired and serve immediately.
Tips
Transfer leftover taco spaghetti to an airtight container and allow it to fully cool. Then store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
To reheat, put it into the microwave or on the stove top until warmed through.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 572kcal (29%), Carbohydrates: 53g (18%), Protein: 34g (68%), Fat: 25g (38%), Saturated Fat: 12g (75%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 87mg (29%), Sodium: 1380mg (60%), Potassium: 1019mg (29%), Fiber: 4g (17%), Sugar: 7g (8%), Vitamin A: 1168IU (23%), Vitamin C: 10mg (12%), Calcium: 319mg (32%), Iron: 4mg (22%)
Elaine says
Great recipe!