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.
