Description
A flavorful and easy-to-make Taco Spaghetti recipe that combines the bold spices of taco seasoning with hearty ground beef, tender spaghetti, and a melty cheddar cheese topping. This Mexican-American fusion dish is perfect for a family-friendly weeknight dinner and can be customized with ground turkey or chicken, and extra heat if desired.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup corn kernels (frozen or canned, drained)
- 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
Seasonings and Sauces
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1 cup water
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
Topping and Garnish
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
- Sliced jalapeños (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Brown the beef and soften the onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Add taco seasoning and simmer: Stir in the taco seasoning mix and 1 cup of water. Let the mixture simmer for about 2 minutes so the flavors meld.
- Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, and beans: Pour in the diced tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, corn kernels, and black beans. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes to blend all flavors thoroughly.
- Combine spaghetti with sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss well to combine with the beef and vegetable mixture.
- Melt the cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the pasta mixture. Cover the skillet and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese melts thoroughly.
- Garnish and serve: Optionally garnish with fresh cilantro and sliced jalapeños before serving for added flavor and freshness.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef to vary the protein.
- For extra heat, use hot diced tomatoes with green chilies or add cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- This recipe can be adapted by baking it in a casserole dish topped with cheese for a bubbly, oven-baked version.
