Quick & Hearty One-Pot Taco Spaghetti Recipe for Family Dinners

Taco spaghetti blends Mexican and Italian culinary traditions into a mouthwatering fusion that reinvents ordinary weeknight dinners.

Bold spices and hearty ingredients dance together in a single skillet, creating maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Comfort food meets innovative cooking techniques, turning familiar ingredients into something unexpectedly delightful.

Creamy cheese and robust seasonings elevate this dish from simple to spectacular, promising a memorable meal that surprises and satisfies.

Families and friends will gather around the table, eager to devour every last bite of this delectable creation.

The magic happens when familiar flavors collide in ways that spark joy and excitement.

Flavor Tips to Amp Up Your Taco Spaghetti

• Prevent Pasta Sticking: Break spaghetti into smaller pieces and stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and prevent noodles from clumping together.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Remove pot from heat before adding cheese to create a smooth, creamy texture without overcooking or separating the dairy.
• Liquid Perfection: Use the right water-to-pasta ratio to achieve ideal moisture and prevent a dry or soupy consistency.
• Flavor Boost: Brown ground beef thoroughly to develop deep, rich meat flavors that will enhance the entire dish.
• Fresh Finish: Add cilantro and fresh tomatoes just before serving to maintain their vibrant color and crisp texture, providing a bright contrast to the warm, cheesy pasta.

How to Keep Taco Spaghetti Great the Next Day

• Refrigeration: Transfer leftover One-Pot Taco Spaghetti into an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before placing it in the container to prevent bacterial growth.
• Microwave Reheating: Warm individual portions in a microwave-safe dish, adding a splash of water to prevent dryness. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Check the temperature and add extra cheese if desired.
• Stovetop Reviving: Restore the dish's original texture by reheating in a skillet over medium-low heat.

What to Pair with Taco Spaghetti for Dinner

• Pair with Zesty Margarita: Complement the bold taco spaghetti flavors with a classic margarita featuring fresh lime, tequila, and a salt rim. The citrusy cocktail cuts through the rich, cheesy pasta and enhances the mexican-inspired dish.
• Serve with Crisp Mexican Lager: A cold, light beer like Corona or Modelo perfectly balances the hearty meat and cheese. Its refreshing quality helps cleanse the palate between bites of the spicy, robust spaghetti.
• Match with Fresh Avocado Salad: Create a light side salad with diced avocados, red onions, and a lime vinaigrette. This cool, creamy accompaniment provides a fresh contrast to the warm, cheesy pasta and adds nutritional balance.
• Finish with Cinnamon Churros: End the meal with crispy churros dusted with cinnamon sugar. Their sweet, crunchy texture offers a delightful dessert that echoes the mexican-inspired theme of the main course.

Ways to Customize This Fun, Fusion Pasta Dish

• Spicy Southwest Spin: Replace ground beef with spicy chorizo sausage and add diced jalapeños for extra heat. Swap cheddar with pepper jack cheese to amplify the zesty flavor profile.
• Veggie Protein Power: Substitute ground beef with black beans and plant-based ground meat alternative. Mix in bell peppers and corn kernels for added nutrition and texture.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Trade ground beef for ground lamb and incorporate crumbled feta cheese. Add oregano, mint leaves, and kalamata olives to give a Greek-inspired Mediterranean touch.
• Chicken Fiesta Version: Use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of beef. Incorporate taco seasoning, green chilies, and swap mozzarella with Monterey Jack cheese for a lighter protein option.

Why Taco Spaghetti Is the Fusion Dish You Need

• Mash Fusion Fiesta: Blends the beloved comfort of spaghetti with zesty taco flavors, creating a unique and exciting dish that breaks traditional culinary boundaries.
• Swift Skillet Solution: Takes just one pot and roughly 30 minutes to prepare, making it a perfect weeknight meal for busy families or quick dinner emergencies.
• Protein-Packed Powerhouse: Delivers a substantial 29g of protein per serving, ensuring a satisfying and nutritionally balanced meal that keeps you full and energized.
• Cheesy Comfort Charm: Combines melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses that create a creamy, indulgent texture which elevates the entire eating experience with rich, gooey goodness.

What Brings This One-Pot Wonder Together

• Ground Beef: Rich meaty base that provides hearty flavor and protein for the one-pot meal. Best when using lean ground beef for less grease.
• Diced Onions: Aromatic vegetable that adds depth and sweetness to the beef mixture. Fresh onions bring more robust taste.

• Spaghetti: Classic pasta that absorbs flavors and creates a comforting texture. Break into smaller pieces for easier cooking and eating.
• Olive Oil: Helps brown meat and prevent sticking while adding subtle richness.
• Water: Essential liquid for cooking pasta and creating sauce consistency.

• Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Melty cheeses that provide creamy texture and tangy flavor. Shredded varieties melt most evenly.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato flavor that deepens the sauces richness.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds moisture and bright tomato taste to the dish.

• Roma Tomatoes: Fresh, slightly sweet tomatoes that provide color and bright flavor.
• Cilantro: Herb with fresh, zesty taste that adds brightness to the finished dish.

Cooking Taco Spaghetti in a Snap

Step 1: Brown the Meat and Onions

Heat of olive oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onions. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the beef is nicely browned and onions become soft and translucent.

Step 2: Add Tomato Base

Stir in of tomato paste and of diced tomatoes with their juice. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients and develop rich flavors.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta

Break of spaghetti into smaller pieces and add to the pot. Pour of water, ensuring most pasta is submerged. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Melt the Cheese

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Shredded mozzarella cheese

Gently mix until cheese melts and blends with other ingredients.

Step 5: Garnish and Finish

• Diced Roma tomatoes
• Chopped fresh cilantro

Add extra toppings for additional flavor and freshness.

Step 6: Serve Immediately

Plate the taco spaghetti while hot. Optional: Garnish with extra tomatoes or cilantro to taste. Enjoy your delicious one-pot meal straight from the stove!

One-Pot Taco Spaghetti Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty One-Pot Taco Spaghetti blends Mexican and Italian cuisine into a flavor-packed comfort meal. Ground beef, pasta, and zesty spices create a quick, satisfying dinner that promises to become a family favorite you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• ½ cup (56 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup (56 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese

Pasta and Vegetables:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) uncooked spaghetti
• ½ cup (75 grams) yellow onion, diced
• 10 ounces (283 grams) diced tomatoes with juice
• 1 Roma tomato, diced

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 4.5 tablespoons (67.5 milliliters) taco seasoning
• 3 cups (720 milliliters) water
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) chopped fresh cilantro

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Warm olive oil (or 30 milliliters) in a large stockpot over medium-high temperature, then sauté ground beef and diced onions until meat browns and onions become translucent, approximately 4 minutes.
2. Mix in tomato paste (or 15 milliliters) and diced tomatoes (or 280 grams), ensuring ingredients are thoroughly combined and evenly distributed.
3. Fragment spaghetti noodles (or 225 grams) into smaller segments, then submerge in the pot with water (or 710 milliliters), creating a uniform liquid base that covers most pasta pieces.
4. Elevate mixture to boiling point, then reduce heat, cover pot, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent pasta from sticking and ensure even cooking.
5. Remove pot from heat source and gently fold in shredded cheddar cheese (½ cup or 60 grams) and shredded mozzarella cheese (½ cup or 60 grams), allowing residual warmth to melt cheese smoothly.
6. Garnish with freshly chopped Roma tomatoes and cilantro leaves, creating a vibrant visual and flavor contrast to the rich, cheesy pasta base.
7. Serve immediately while hot, offering additional toppings for personalized taste preferences.

Notes

• Unlock a flavor explosion by transforming classic taco ingredients into a comforting one-pot pasta marvel.
• Swap traditional taco shells for spaghetti, creating a unique fusion that combines Mexican-inspired spices with Italian pasta techniques.
• Cheese melts seamlessly into the beef and tomato base, forming a creamy sauce that coats every single pasta strand with deliciousness.
• Minimal cleanup required since everything cooks in a single pot, making this recipe perfect for busy weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
• Fresh cilantro and diced tomatoes add bright, zesty notes that cut through the rich, meaty sauce, elevating the entire dish with a pop of color and freshness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing, Simmering
• Cuisine: Fusion

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 485 kcal
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 622mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 37g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 29g
• Cholesterol: 72mg