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Taco Spaghetti Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 79 reviews

Taco Spaghetti is a quick and flavorful one-pan meal combining the zest of taco seasoning with the comfort of spaghetti and melted cheddar cheese, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ¼ cup yellow onions, chopped
  • ½ cup cilantro, chopped

Seasonings and Spices

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ cup taco seasoning (1 packet)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

Liquids and Canned Goods

  • 10 ounces Rotel tomatoes (including liquid)
  • 3 cups water

Pasta and Cheese

  • 8 ounces spaghetti noodles, uncooked
  • 4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil: Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking the beef and onions.
  2. Brown the beef and onions: Add 1 pound of ground beef and ¼ cup chopped yellow onions to the skillet. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are soft and translucent, stirring occasionally.
  3. Break the spaghetti: Take the 8 ounces of spaghetti noodles and break them in half to fit better into the skillet and ensure even cooking.
  4. Add seasonings and liquids: Stir in ¼ cup taco seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, and 10 ounces of Rotel tomatoes with their juices. Then add the broken spaghetti noodles and 3 cups of water into the skillet.
  5. Bring to a boil: Increase heat to high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, ensuring the spaghetti begins to cook through the liquid.
  6. Simmer covered: Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 15 minutes until the noodles are tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  7. Remove from heat: Turn off the stove and take the skillet off the burner, preparing for cheese incorporation.
  8. Add half the cheese: Sprinkle half of the 4 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese into the skillet and stir it gently to combine the cheese with the hot pasta and beef mixture.
  9. Mix thoroughly: Stir the spaghetti and cheese evenly throughout the pan so the cheese melts into the noodles and beef, creating a creamy texture.
  10. Top and serve: Sprinkle the remaining cheese and chopped cilantro over the top as a garnish, then serve immediately while warm.

Notes

  • Breaking the spaghetti in half helps the noodles fit better in the skillet and cook evenly without sticking together.
  • Using Rotel tomatoes adds a nice spicy kick and extra flavor without needing additional seasoning.
  • Covering the skillet while simmering traps steam and helps cook the pasta perfectly without extra water.
  • You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles and adjust seasonings accordingly.
  • Adding a dash of hot sauce or jalapeños can increase the spiciness if desired.

Keywords: Taco Spaghetti, One-pot meal, Ground beef recipe, Tex-Mex pasta, Easy weeknight dinner, Cheesy spaghetti, Taco flavored pasta

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/taco-spaghetti-recipe/