With a full house, there’s bound to be disagreements on what to eat for dinner. A recent one at my house has been the never-ending debate about whether to have pasta or tacos. I love tacos, but my kids always want pasta. This taco spaghetti is the perfect compromise– a rich taco-inspired bolognese sauce over spaghetti noodles satisfies everyone equally!
This fusion of ground beef tacos and spaghetti is a weeknight meal that’ll satisfy everyone. It’s hearty, cheesy, and so delicious!
Tips for Success
- Use low, even heat when adding the Velveeta and cheddar cheeses. If the heat is too high, the cheeses will turn grainy.
- Since the spaghetti will continue to cook slightly when mixed with the sauce, draining it while it’s still a little firm ensures it doesn’t turn mushy.
- The pasta will absorb some of the sauce, so I like to keep extra broth or tomato sauce on hand to adjust the consistency. If the sauce gets too thick, a small splash of broth will loosen it up without diluting the flavor.
- Make it a one-pot meal by breaking the spaghetti in half and letting it cook directly in the sauce.
- This is a great dish for disguising veggies. I like to add chopped mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini. My kids never notice! You can also add some fresh corn or canned black beans to jazz things up.
Taco Spaghetti Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces dry spaghetti (¾ box). I like classic spaghetti for this recipe, but any long pasta shape will work.
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1½ pounds lean ground beef 90-93% lean ground beef. You can use fattier beef, but you'll need to drain off the grease after cooking.
- ½ yellow onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ounce taco seasoning (about 2 tablespoons)
- 10 ounces diced tomatoes and green chilies (1 can). I used Rotel.
- 1½ cups low-sodium beef broth
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 ounces Velveeta cheese cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1½ cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped fresh cilantro optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Boil the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.12 ounces dry spaghetti
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add in the ground beef, yellow onion, and garlic. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the beef is cooked through and the onion is translucent.2 teaspoons olive oil, 1½ pounds lean ground beef, ½ yellow onion, 4 cloves garlic
- Add in the taco seasoning and stir until fragrant.1 ounce taco seasoning
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, and Velveeta cheese. Cook and stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is warmed through.10 ounces diced tomatoes and green chilies, 1½ cups low-sodium beef broth, 3 tablespoons tomato paste, 4 ounces Velveeta cheese
- Toss in the spaghetti and cheddar cheese. Toss until the cheese is melted. Garnish with cilantro and serve.1½ cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese, Chopped fresh cilantro
Becky’s Tips
- Colby jack cheese is another great choice, but consider shredding it yourself. It will melt much easier.
- For a less milder dish, use plain diced tomatoes or your favorite salsa.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Taco Spaghetti Step by Step
Cook the Beef: Boil 12 ounces of spaghetti according to the package directions. Drain and set aside. While the pasta cooks heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add in 1½ pounds of lean ground beef, ½ of a diced yellow onion, and 4 minced cloves of garlic. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the beef is cooked through and the onion is translucent.
Season the Beef: Add 1 ounce (1 packet) of taco seasoning and stir until fragrant.
Make the Sauce: Stir in 10 ounces (1 can) of diced tomatoes, 1½ cups of beef broth, 3 tablespoons of tomato paste, and 4 ounces of cubed Velveeta cheese. Cook and stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is warmed through.
Toss and Serve: Toss in the spaghetti and 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Toss until the cheese is melted. Garnish with cilantro and serve.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover taco spaghetti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring frequently, until warmed through.
I do not recommend freezing this pasta, as the texture will degrade once thawed.
Serving Suggestions
This delicious taco spaghetti is great with a side of Texas toast garlic bread or a garden salad. I like to spoon leftovers into hard taco shells to make spaghetti tacos– so fun!
