Quick & Easy One Pot Dinner!

Some nights you want tacos. Other nights you want pasta. And sometimes you just want dinner on the table without dirtying every pan you own.

That’s where my Taco Spaghetti recipe shines. It’s a one-skillet meal with taco flavors, tender spaghetti noodles, and plenty of melty cheese. It’s easy, filling, and built for regular busy families like mine!

What Makes Taco Spaghetti Special

This easy taco spaghetti recipe is fast, filling, and made with pantry staples. Everything cooks together, which means less dishes and more flavor since the pasta absorbs the seasoned sauce as it cooks. It’s an easy ground beef recipe for busy weeknights and shows up on our dinner table at least a few times a month!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy skillet meal.

• Lean ground beef: Using lean meat like 85/15 gives you good flavor without dealing with too much excess fat.
• Onion: A simple diced onion adds depth to your Mexican spaghetti and helps build flavor right from the start.
• Taco seasoning: A packet keeps things easy, or use homemade taco seasoning with chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Tomato sauce: This forms the base of the spaghetti sauce and keeps everything cohesive.
• Ro-Tel tomatoes: These rotel tomatoes add tomatoes and green chilies in one can, giving the dish just enough heat. I’m a little obsessed with this product. You might notice I have a lot of recipes featuring Ro-Tel, like my Rotel Pasta and these Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls.
• Spaghetti: Broken in half so it fits easily and cooks evenly into tender spaghetti noodles. If you’re morally opposed to breaking your spaghetti in half (I get it!) you don’t HAVE to break it.
• Cheese: Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, or Colby Jack all melt beautifully and give you that classic taco pasta finish.
• Fresh cilantro: Optional, but it adds a fresh bite at the end. I’m one of those people who love fresh cilantro, so I never skip this step.

The full list of Taco Spaghetti ingredients and exact measurements are in the printable recipe card below.

How to Make Taco Spaghetti

This recipe works in a large skillet, large pot, or Dutch oven. Pick what you have and keep it simple.

Step One: Cook the Ground Beef and Onion

Heat your pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain off any excess fat so the sauce does not turn greasy.

Step Two: Add the Taco Seasoning and Tomato Sauce

Stir in the taco seasoning, tomato sauce, rotel tomatoes, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil so the flavors start blending.

Step Three: Add the Spaghetti and Cook Until Tender

Break the spaghetti in half and add it to the pan. Stir well so the pasta is covered by the liquid. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until the spaghetti is tender. Stir occasionally so the noodles cook evenly and do not stick.

Step Four: Add the Cheese and Let it Melt

Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top. Cover and turn off the heat. Let it rest covered for a few minutes until the cheese is fully melted. If you do not have a lid, foil works just fine.

Step Five: Serve and Enjoy

Garnish Taco Spaghetti with fresh cilantro or green onions if you like. Serve immediately and add any favorite taco toppings at the table.

Substitutions & Variations

• Use ground turkey: Ground turkey works well if you want a lighter option. Just keep an eye on moisture so it stays juicy.
• Add vegetables: Bell peppers or extra green chilies can be added with the onion for more texture.
• Richer sauce: A spoonful of tomato paste or a splash of beef broth adds extra flavor if you like a thicker spaghetti sauce.
• Spice it up: Add extra chili powder or cayenne pepper to bump up the heat.
• Toppings: Serve with tortilla chips, green onions, or a dollop of sour cream for a fun taco pasta twist.

Crissy’s Taco Spaghetti Recipe Tips

• Drain the meat well: Removing excess fat keeps the sauce smooth and balanced.
• Stir while simmering: This prevents the spaghetti from clumping or sticking to the pan.
• Watch the liquid: If the noodles absorb liquid too fast, add a small splash of water or beef broth.

Benefits of Taco Spaghetti

• Quick and easy: This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and shows up on our dinner table at least a few times a month!
• Fast and filling: Everything cooks together, which means less dishes and more flavor since the pasta absorbs the seasoned sauce as it cooks.
• Pantry staples: This recipe uses common pantry staples, making it easy to whip up on a moment’s notice.
• Reheats well: Taco Spaghetti can be reheated for easy meals throughout the week.
• Freezes well: You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to four days or freeze for up to three months.

Conclusion

Taco Spaghetti is a game-changing recipe that is perfect for busy families and weeknight dinners. With its ease of preparation, minimal dishes, and delicious flavor, it’s a win-win for everyone. Try it out tonight and see why it’s a staple in our household!