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Taco Spaghetti


  • Author: Sally Roberts
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Description

This Taco Spaghetti is a bold, cheesy, family-friendly easy dinner that turns simple pantry ingredients into a creamy Tex-Mex pasta everyone will want seconds of. Made with spaghetti, seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, taco spices, cream cheese, and melted cheese, it is perfect for quick dinner nights, comfort food cravings, weeknight food ideas, dinner ideas, easy recipe planning, and a satisfying pasta meal that comes together fast.


Ingredients

12 ounces spaghetti

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 pound ground beef

1 small yellow onion, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons taco seasoning

10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chiles

8 ounces tomato sauce

1 cup beef broth

4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 cup sour cream, optional for serving

1/4 cup sliced jalapeños, optional for serving

1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips, optional for topping


Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the spaghetti.

2. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small crumbles. Drain excess grease if needed.

3. Add the diced onion and green bell pepper. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until softened.

4. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

5. Sprinkle in the taco seasoning and stir until the beef and vegetables are evenly coated.

6. Add the diced tomatoes with green chiles, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Stir and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.

7. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese until fully melted and smooth.

8. Add the cooked spaghetti and toss until the pasta is coated in the creamy taco sauce.

9. Stir in the cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese until melted. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce needs loosening.

10. Season with salt and black pepper, then garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with sour cream, jalapeños, or crushed tortilla chips if desired.

Notes

Use freshly shredded cheese for the smoothest melt and creamiest sauce.

Cook the spaghetti just until al dente because it will soften slightly when tossed with the hot sauce.

Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce thickens too much before serving.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
  • Calories: 540
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 890mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 13g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 43g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: Taco Spaghetti, easy dinner, quick dinner, Tex-Mex pasta, ground beef pasta, spaghetti dinner, weeknight dinner ideas, comfort food, cheesy pasta