Description
Mexican-inspired Taco Spaghetti blends classic pasta with zesty southwestern flavors, creating a quick weeknight dinner sensation. Cheesy, spicy, and packed with ground beef, this one-pan wonder delivers comfort and excitement you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 12 oz spaghetti
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tablespoons homemade blend)
- 1 can Rotel tomatoes (diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Toppings and Cheese:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Warm a spacious pan with olive oil over moderate heat, then introduce ground beef, fragmenting it into delicate crumbles while cooking. Eliminate accumulated fat.
- Thoroughly coat the meat with aromatic taco seasoning, ensuring uniform distribution.
- Pour Rotel tomatoes, robust beef broth, and rich tomato sauce into the pan, creating a vibrant, simmering mixture.
- Halve the spaghetti strands and gently nestle them into the liquid, guaranteeing complete submersion.
- Secure the pan with a lid, allowing the pasta to tenderly cook and absorb the zesty liquid for approximately 12-15 minutes. Periodically stir to prevent sticking.
- Generously blanket the surface with sharp cheddar cheese, then cover momentarily, permitting the cheese to melt into a luxurious, gooey layer.
- Elevate the dish with crisp diced red onion, fragrant fresh cilantro, and optional complementary garnishes. Present immediately while steaming and inviting.
Notes
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy texture and ensure a cleaner, more appetizing dish.
- Choose lean ground beef (90/10) for a healthier version without sacrificing rich, meaty flavor.
- Experiment with alternative proteins like ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for dietary flexibility.
- Consider gluten-free spaghetti to make this recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg