Try Our Tasty CrockPot Taco Spaghetti Recipe Today

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this crockpot taco spaghetti captures the perfect blend of comfort and excitement.

Hearty pasta meets zesty Mexican-inspired flavors in a single pot of deliciousness.

The slow cooker works magic, melding tender ground beef with vibrant spices and perfectly cooked noodles.

Cheese melts into every crevice, creating a rich and creamy texture that makes this dish irresistible.

Busy families will adore how easily this meal comes together with minimal prep and maximum flavor.

Toppings like fresh cilantro, sour cream, or diced avocado can elevate this already mouthwatering dish.

Dinner is about to become the highlight of your evening.

What Makes Taco Spaghetti in the Crockpot So Good

• Kid-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Combining the beloved flavors of tacos and spaghetti creates a dish that delights both children and adults, making dinnertime a guaranteed hit.
• Versatile One-Pot Dish: This recipe eliminates multiple pots and pans, offering an easy cleanup and streamlined cooking process that saves precious time and energy.
• Customize Your Flavor: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping ground beef for chicken, adding extra spices, or topping with your favorite garnishes like sour cream or jalapeños.

What You’ll Need for Taco Spaghetti Night

• Ground Beef: A juicy and flavorful base for the taco spaghetti.

• Spaghetti Pasta: A classic pasta that adds hearty texture to the dish.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Provides a rich and tangy tomato base.
• Salsa: Adds a zesty and spicy kick to the recipe.

• Taco Seasoning: Brings a delicious Mexican-inspired flavor profile.
• Chicken Broth: Helps create a moist and flavorful cooking environment.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall taste.

• Bell Pepper: Adds a sweet and crunchy vegetable element.
• Corn: Provides a subtle sweetness and textural contrast.
• Cilantro: A fresh and aromatic herb for garnishing.

• Cheddar Cheese: A melty and sharp cheese that completes the dish.

How to Cook Taco Spaghetti in a Slow Cooker

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Grab a large skillet and crank up the heat to medium-high.

Crumble the ground beef into the pan, breaking it into small pieces as it sizzles.

Season with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Cook until the beef is completely browned and no pink remains.

Carefully drain away any excess grease.

Step 2: Transfer Beef to Slow Cooker

Slide the perfectly cooked beef into your trusty 6-quart crockpot, creating a meaty foundation for your dish.

Step 3: Build the Flavor Base

• Diced bell pepper
• Crushed tomatoes
• Zesty salsa
• Drained corn kernels
• Taco seasoning
• Chicken broth

Stir everything together until the ingredients mingle and dance with flavor.

Step 4: Initial Cooking

Pop on the lid and let the crockpot work its magic on high heat for 3-4 hours.

Let the flavors get to know each other intimately.

Step 5: Pasta Plunge

Break the spaghetti into playful halves or thirds.

Gently nestle the pasta into the bubbling mixture, making sure it’s completely submerged.

Cook for 10-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta reaches your perfect texture.

Step 6: Cheesy Finale

Shower the top with a blanket of shredded cheddar cheese.

Cover and let it melt for about 5 minutes until gloriously gooey.

Give it a good stir to distribute the melted cheese.

Step 7: Garnish and Devour

Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the top for a burst of color and freshness.

Serve piping hot and watch everyone dive in with excitement!

Pro Tips for Tex-Mex Style Pasta

• Snap spaghetti into smaller pieces carefully to ensure even cooking and easier serving in the crockpot.
• Adjust taco seasoning or add extra hot sauce to match your preferred heat intensity, creating a personalized flavor profile.
• Stir occasionally during cooking to prevent spaghetti from clumping together and ensure each strand gets fully coated with sauce.
• Use ground beef with lower fat content to reduce excess grease and create a healthier version of this hearty dish.
• Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for different dietary preferences and nutritional needs.

How to Keep Taco Spaghetti Fresh and Tasty

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the dish fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled taco spaghetti to freezer-safe containers, where it can maintain quality for up to 2 months. Seal tightly to prevent freezer burn.
• Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent dryness. Stir frequently to distribute heat evenly.
• Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure consistent temperature.

Perfect Sides for This Spicy Spaghetti Dish

• Savor Taco Spaghetti Companions
• Pair Zesty Mexican Lager: A crisp Corona or Modelo Especial cuts through the rich, spicy flavors and cleanses the palate with its light, refreshing profile.
• Select Tangy Margarita: Craft a classic margarita with fresh lime juice and tequila, which complements the dish's bold southwestern zest and provides a citrusy counterpoint.
• Create Fresh Avocado Salad: Prepare a simple salad with diced avocados, red onions, and lime juice to balance the hearty, meaty spaghetti and add a cool, creamy texture.
• Serve Cilantro Lime Sour Cream: Whip a quick dipping sauce with sour cream, chopped cilantro, and lime zest to enhance the dish's Mexican-inspired flavors and add a tangy, creamy element.

Taco Spaghetti Variations You Should Try

• Vegetarian Option: Replace ground beef with black beans or plant-based crumbles for a protein-packed meatless version that maintains the dish's hearty flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap spaghetti with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the taco-inspired taste intact.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free pasta or rice noodles and ensure taco seasoning is certified gluten-free to accommodate those with wheat sensitivities.
• Spicy Lovers' Version: Add diced jalapeños, increase hot salsa, or incorporate cayenne pepper to elevate the heat level for those craving extra kick in their meal.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey is a great lean alternative that works perfectly in this recipe. Simply cook it the same way as ground beef and follow the remaining steps.

• Do I need to pre-cook the pasta before adding it to the CrockPot?

No, you’ll break the spaghetti and add it directly to the liquid in the slow cooker. The pasta will cook directly in the sauce, absorbing all the delicious flavors.

• How can I make this recipe spicier?

Add a diced jalapeño with the vegetables or use a hot salsa instead of mild. You can also sprinkle some red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to increase the heat level.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

Not as written. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free spaghetti and ensure your taco seasoning and salsa are certified gluten-free.

Crockpot Taco Spaghetti Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets Mexican-inspired cuisine in this crockpot taco spaghetti, blending hearty pasta with zesty southwestern flavors. Cheese-covered noodles and seasoned ground beef create a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave all week long.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 lb lean ground beef

Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Pasta and Base:

• 1/2 pound (0.5 lb) spaghetti pasta
• 15 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup salsa
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth

Vegetables:

• 1 medium red or green bell pepper, diced
• 15 ounces canned corn, drained

Cheese:

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Garnish:

• Fresh minced cilantro

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Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbles and seasoning with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat thoroughly.
2. Transfer the cooked beef to the crockpot, creating an even base layer.
3. Pour in crushed tomatoes, salsa, drained corn, taco seasoning, and chicken broth. Mix ingredients carefully to ensure uniform distribution.
4. Cover and cook on high temperature for 3-4 hours, allowing flavors to meld and develop.
5. Segment spaghetti into smaller pieces and gently submerge into the liquid mixture. Press pasta down to ensure complete coverage.
6. Continue cooking for 15-20 minutes, stirring periodically until pasta reaches an al dente consistency.
7. Distribute shredded cheddar cheese across the top of the dish, creating an even layer.
8. Allow cheese to melt completely, approximately 5 minutes, then incorporate it into the mixture by stirring gently.
9. Finish the dish with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for added brightness and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

• Test pasta cooking time carefully to prevent mushiness, as slow cookers can vary in heat intensity.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for lighter protein alternatives.
• Use gluten-free spaghetti to make the dish celiac and gluten-sensitive friendly.
• Consider reducing liquid slightly if using fresh salsa to control overall dish moisture levels.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg