From-scratch Taco Spaghetti
Taco Spaghetti Is a fast, flavorful, one-pot pasta recipe that fuses all our favorite taco night flavors with classic comfort food spaghetti. Looking for a new family favorite dinner? This is it! It’s loaded with seasoned ground beef, tangy tomatoes, green chiles, and melty cheese—plus, the pasta cooks right in the sauce, soaking up all that bold taco flavor. Whether it’s Taco Tuesday or a busy weeknight, this cheesy Tex-Mex pasta will be on repeat!
Straightforward One-Pot Taco Spaghetti (Cheesy Tex-Mex Pasta)
Bold, cheesy, and mildly spicy, taco spaghetti is a fusion of two comfort food favorites—tacos and spaghetti. This one-pot dinner cooks the spaghetti right in the sauce so it soaks up all the flavors, making every bite saucy and satisfying.
🌮 Why You’ll Love This Taco Spaghetti Recipe
✅ One pot, straightforward cleanup
✅ Family-friendly flavors
✅ Ready in 30 minutes
✅ Freezer-friendly
✅ Fun taco twist on pasta night!
👩🍳 Supplies You’ll Need
- Large pot or Dutch oven (6-quart is ideal)
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Can opener
🛒 Taco Spaghetti Ingredients
You’ll need simple pantry and fridge staples to make this straightforward weeknight dinner:
- Olive oil
- Sweet onion, diced
- Ground beef
- Taco seasoning
- Worcestershire sauce
- Minced roasted garlic
- Tomato paste
- Beef broth
- Diced tomatoes
- Green chilis
- Spaghetti noodles
- Mexican cheese blend (or cheddar cheese)
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Optional swaps: Try ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. Use a can of Rotel in place of the tomatoes and chilies. Rotel tomatoes are seasoned with peppers. Swap the spaghetti noodles for penne, rotini, or pasta of choice.
🍽️ How to Make Taco Spaghetti
This dish comes together in one pot in under 30 minutes. Here’s how:
1. Sauté the Onions
In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot or large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced yellow onion and sauté until soft and translucent.
2. Brown the Beef
Add ground beef and crumble with a spatula. Cook for 4–5 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease.
3. Add Seasonings
Stir in taco seasoning, Worcestershire tomato, sauce, and garlic paste until the beef is well coated and fragrant.
4. Simmer the Sauce
Pour in the beef broth, diced tomatoes, and green chilies. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
5. Add the Spaghetti
Break spaghetti in half if needed, and press into the liquid. Let it simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender (about 10 minutes). Boil the pasta according to the package directions. Add more broth if needed.
6. Stir in the Cheese
Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese until melted and creamy.
7. Garnish and Serve
Top with fresh chopped cilantro and serve hot!
Pin it now and save for Taco Tuesday!
This taco spaghetti is the well-balanced mix of straightforward, hearty, and family-approved. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or spicing things up with jalapeños, it’s a one-pot meal that does it all.
🧊 Storage & Reheating Tips
Leftovers? No problem!
- Fridge: Store cooled taco spaghetti in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a labeled freezer bag or container for up to 3 months.
- To Reheat:
- Stovetop: Warm in a skillet over medium, stirring often.
- Microwave: Heat individual portions for 3 minutes, then let sit for 1 minute before eating.
What else can we add for more flavor?
For more flavor, add your favorite Taco toppings!
- Jalapeños (fresh or pickled)
- Hot sauce or spicy taco seasoning
- Black olives, diced onions, or tomatoes
- Extra shredded cheese or a dollop of sour cream
- A squeeze of lime juice
- Pico de gallo or salsa
- Slices of avocado or guacamole
❓ Taco Spaghetti FAQ
What does taco spaghetti taste like?
It’s a crave-worthy fusion of tacos and cheesy pasta! Think zesty taco beef, rich tomato sauce, melty cheese, and a subtle smoky spice in every bite. Consider serving it alongside veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or sautéed bell peppers for some extra color and texture!
Can we make it ahead and freeze it?
Yes! This is a well-balanced prepare-ahead meal. Cook fully, cool, then freeze. Thaw before reheating.
More Tex Mex Recipes
Taco Mac
Prep 10 minutesCook 15 minutesTotal 25 minutesMakes 4
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ½ large sweet onion diced
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1 1-ounce packet taco seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon minced roasted garlic
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 4-ounce can green chilis, drained
- 8 ounces uncooked spaghetti noodles (half of a 16oz box)
- 2 cups Mexican blend shredded cheese
- Chopped cilantro for garnish
Method
- Cook the onions. In a large heavy bottom pot (like a dutch oven) over medium heat, add the oil and onions, sautéing until they appear translucent and are tender.
- Brown the beef. Add the ground beef to the onions and use a spatula to crumble the meat. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring and flipping as you go until it is brown and cooked throughout.
- Add seasonings. Remove any excess grease and stir in the taco seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and tomato paste, making sure that everything is well incorporated into the meat.
- Pour in the liquid. Pour in the beef broth, tomatoes, and chilis and stir until well combined.
- Add the spaghetti. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer before adding your spaghetti. Gently press it into the liquid as it starts to soften until all of the spaghetti is fully submerged.
- Cook the spaghetti in the liquid. Keep the liquid at a gentle simmer while stirring occasionally until the sauce has slightly reduced and the spaghetti is fully cooked. This should take about 10 minutes. If your spaghetti isn’t cooked to your preferred texture, you can add a bit more beef broth and keep simmering until it is thick and your spaghetti is to your liking.
- Stir in the cheese. Turn off the heat and stir in the cheese, allowing it to melt completely as you stir.
- Garnish and serve. Garnish with cilantro and serve warm.
Notes
- Storage Instructions: If you have leftover taco spaghetti, you can store it in the refrigerator. Allow the spaghetti to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container or resealable bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or transfer to the freezer for longer storage. How can we reheat this dish? You can reheat your taco spaghetti on the stovetop or in the microwave. Stovetop : Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add your taco spaghetti. Stir occasionally while cooking for about 10 minutes or until warmed throughout. Microwave: Add individual portions to a microwave-safe plate and cook for 3 minutes on high. Allow to sit for 1 minute before serving. <div class="
