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Taco Spaghetti

Enjoy the delicious fusion of spaghetti and tacos with this easy, one-pan Taco Spaghetti recipe, perfect for families on a budget.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian, Mexican
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12 oz spaghetti noodles
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 small onion (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (1 oz / 28 g)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz / 411 g)
  • 1 can mild diced tomatoes with green chilies (10 oz / 284 g, like Rotel)
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 0.5 cup sour cream
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
  • Salt and black pepper (to taste)
Optional Toppings
  • chopped fresh cilantro
  • sliced jalapeños
  • diced avocado

Method
 

Cooking Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti noodles and cook until just al dente (about 1–2 minutes less than package directions). Drain and set aside.
Browning the Meat
  1. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess grease if needed.
Adding Aromatics & Seasoning
  1. Stir in the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Sprinkle in taco seasoning and stir well.
Building the Sauce
  1. Pour in diced tomatoes, tomatoes with green chilies, beef broth, and tomato sauce. Stir and bring to a gentle boil.
Combining Pasta & Sauce
  1. Add the drained spaghetti to the sauce. Reduce heat to low, toss to coat the pasta evenly, and let it simmer for 3–4 minutes so flavors meld.
Making it Creamy
  1. Stir in sour cream and half of the shredded cheese until melted and creamy.
Topping & Serving
  1. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, cover, and let sit for 1–2 minutes until melted. Garnish with your favorite toppings and serve hot.

Notes

Leftovers last for about 3-4 days in the fridge. Can be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove until warmed through. To enhance flavor, toast the garlic before adding to the recipe.