Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This taco spaghetti recipe is a fun and delicious way to enjoy the comfort of pasta with the bold, savory flavors of tacos. It combines perfectly seasoned ground beef, creamy cheese, and tangy tomatoes, all mixed with al dente spaghetti. The versatility of this dish allows you to add your favorite taco toppings like diced avocado or crunchy tortilla chips, making each bite a new adventure. With a cooking time of just 30 minutes, it’s an ideal meal for busy evenings. Plus, you can easily customize it to suit your dietary preferences or spice tolerance.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups freshly shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Fresh cilantro (optional), chopped
- 3-4 stalks green onions (optional), sliced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (optional)
- 1 medium avocado, sliced (optional)
Directions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Do not rinse the pasta.
- While the pasta cooks, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic to the beef, cooking until the onion is soft and fragrant. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the taco seasoning, followed by the diced tomatoes (with juice) and tomato sauce. Add the softened cream cheese and stir until melted and the sauce is creamy. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the beef mixture, tossing everything together. Gradually stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese and add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a creamy consistency.
- Top with the remaining cheese and serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, green onions, diced tomatoes, and avocado.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4-6
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Spicy Version: Add diced jalapeños, use hot taco seasoning, or drizzle with hot sauce for extra heat.
- Vegetarian: Swap the ground beef for black beans, plant-based crumbles, or seasoned mushrooms.
- Pasta Alternatives: Use linguine, fettuccine, rotini, or penne in place of spaghetti.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to restore creaminess.
- Freezing: To freeze, let the dish cool completely, then portion it into containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, or heat on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water.
FAQs
Can I make taco spaghetti ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dish up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat it when you’re ready to serve.
What’s the best pasta to use for taco spaghetti?
Spaghetti is the ideal choice, but you can substitute other long pasta like linguine, fettuccine, or even penne.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes! You can use black beans, plant-based meat crumbles, or seasoned mushrooms as a substitute for the ground beef.
How spicy is taco spaghetti?
The base recipe is mild, but you can adjust the spice level by choosing a hot taco seasoning, adding diced jalapeños, or topping with hot sauce.
Can I use homemade taco seasoning?
Absolutely! You can make your own by combining chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Can I add more cheese to taco spaghetti?
Yes! Feel free to add more cheese to taste, either in the sauce or as a topping.
How can I make taco spaghetti more filling?
For a heartier dish, you can add vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini, or serve it with a side of Mexican street corn or a garden salad.
Can I freeze taco spaghetti?
Yes, taco spaghetti freezes well. Be sure to let it cool completely before freezing in airtight containers.
How can I make the sauce thicker?
To thicken the sauce, add a little more cream cheese or use some of the reserved pasta water to achieve your desired consistency.
Can I use other types of cheese?
Yes! Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for added flavor.
Conclusion
Taco spaghetti is a creative, easy-to-make fusion dish that combines the rich flavors of taco night with the comfort of spaghetti. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or preparing a quick weeknight dinner, this dish is sure to impress. With the flexibility to adjust spice levels and toppings, you can make it your own. Try it today and enjoy a delicious twist on classic comfort food!
Taco Spaghetti Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Main Dish, Comfort Food
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican, Italian Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Taco spaghetti is the ultimate fusion recipe combining the rich flavors of tacos with the comfort of pasta. This quick and easy meal features seasoned ground beef, creamy cheese, and pasta, topped with fresh ingredients like avocado and cilantro. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a flavorful and satisfying dish the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups freshly shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Fresh cilantro (optional), chopped
- 3–4 stalks green onions (optional), sliced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (optional)
- 1 medium avocado, sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions, reserving 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Do not rinse the pasta.
- While the pasta cooks, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic, cooking until the onion is soft and fragrant. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in the taco seasoning, followed by the diced tomatoes (with juice) and tomato sauce. Add the softened cream cheese and stir until the sauce is creamy. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the beef mixture, tossing everything together. Gradually stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese and add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a creamy consistency.
- Top with the remaining cheese and serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, green onions, diced tomatoes, and avocado.
Notes
- Spicy Version: Add diced jalapeños, hot taco seasoning, or drizzle with hot sauce for extra heat.
- Vegetarian: Swap the ground beef for black beans, plant-based crumbles, or seasoned mushrooms.
- Pasta Alternatives: Linguine, fettuccine, rotini, or penne can be substituted for spaghetti.
