Taco Spaghetti Recipe
This taco spaghetti recipe is everything you didn’t know you needed in your dinner rotation. It’s bold, cheesy, comforting, and endlessly customizable. Plus, it uses pantry staples you probably already have — making it a lifesaver on busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- Base
- 8 ounces spaghetti noodles – cooked until al dente
- 1 tablespoon olive oil – to keep noodles from sticking
- Protein & Veggies
- 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey for a lighter option
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- Sauce & Flavor
- 1 packet taco seasoning or 3 tablespoons homemade mix
- 1 10-ounce can rotel tomatoes (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 cup chicken or beef broth
- Cheese & Garnish
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese optional
- Fresh cilantro chopped
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until just al dente. Drain, toss with a drizzle of olive oil, and set aside.
- Brown the meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Drain excess fat.
- Sauté the veggies: Add diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet. Cook until softened and fragrant (about 3–4 minutes).
- Add seasoning: Sprinkle in taco seasoning and stir well to coat the meat and veggies.
- Make the sauce: Add rotel tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth. Stir to combine, then bring to a boil.
- Add spaghetti: Reduce heat to medium-low, toss in the cooked spaghetti noodles, and stir until everything is coated in the sauce.
- Cheese time: Sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack over the top. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it cook for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream. Serve hot!
Notes
- Don’t overcook the spaghetti — slightly undercooked pasta holds up better when baked or simmered in sauce.
- Use a large skillet so everything has room to mix without overcrowding.
- Drain excess fat from beef to avoid greasy sauce.
- Taste and adjust seasoning — taco mixes vary in saltiness and spice.
- Add a splash of pasta water or broth if the spaghetti feels dry.