Description
This Taco Spaghetti is a bold, cheesy, and satisfying one-pot meal that fuses the zesty flavors of tacos with the comfort of pasta. With seasoned ground beef, Rotel tomatoes, tender spaghetti, and melted cheddar cheese all cooked together in one skillet, it’s a quick and crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup. Fresh cilantro adds the perfect bright finish!
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound ground beef
¼ cup finely diced yellow onions
¼ cup taco seasoning (or 1 packet)
1 (10 oz) can Rotel tomatoes (do not drain)
8 oz uncooked spaghetti noodles
3 cups water
4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
½ cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
Sauté the Beef and Onions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground beef and diced onions. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the onions are soft, about 5–7 minutes. Drain any excess grease if needed.
Add Taco Seasoning and Tomatoes
Stir in the taco seasoning and mix well to coat the beef. Add the undrained can of Rotel tomatoes. Stir to combine and let it cook for 1–2 minutes to develop flavor.
Simmer the Pasta
Add the uncooked spaghetti and pour in the water. Stir to ensure the pasta is submerged. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Finish with Cheese and Cilantro
Once the pasta is cooked, remove from heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Sprinkle chopped cilantro on top and serve immediately.
Notes
Don’t drain the tomatoes: The liquid helps build flavor and cooks the pasta.
Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melt and flavor.
Add more toppings like sliced jalapeños, sour cream, or avocado for extra flair.
Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1½ cups
- Calories: 525
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 940mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: taco spaghetti, one pot taco pasta, ground beef pasta, tex-mex spaghetti, rotel pasta, cheesy taco noodles, weeknight dinner