Taco Spaghetti in one pot
Taco spaghetti is a delicious Mexican casserole that brings together two of our all-time favorite dishes, tacos and spaghetti with meat sauce all made in one pan and ready in under 30 minutes!
Jump to Recipe

Taco Spaghetti is a fusion of Mexican spice and Italian comfort. This dish combines the zesty flavors of a classic taco with the comforting feel of pasta It’s a one-pot dish that’s ready in just 30 minutes.

Taco Spaghetti in a pan


Taco Spaghetti Casserole

Taco Spaghetti is a flavor fusion that’s hard to resist. The zesty spices from the taco seasoning blend perfectly with the comforting, hearty spaghetti, creating a unique and delightful taste that even the pickiest eater will enjoy.

What sets this dish apart is its unique fusion of tacos and pasta, not to mention its simplicity. It’s a one-pot wonder, making both cooking and cleanup incredibly easy, while the blend of tender pasta, meaty sauce, and melted cheese offers a meal that your family will beg for.

Beyond its taste and texture, the recipe scores high on convenience. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a quick and straightforward option that’s perfect for busy weeknights and is sure to please a crowd

Why We Love This Recipe For Taco Spaghetti

  • One-pot dish means easy clean-up!
  • 4 easy steps!
  • Ready in less than 30-minutes.
  • Taco seasoning pack short-cut and time saver!
  • Kid-friendly and picky eater approved.
  • A quick weeknight dinner.
Taco Spaghetti on a fork

Ingredients You’ll Need For One Pot Taco Spaghetti

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ¼ cup yellow onions
  • ¼ cup (or 1 packet) taco seasoning or try our Homemade Taco Seasoning
  • 10 oz. can Rotel tomatoes
  • 8 oz. spaghetti noodles, uncooked
  • 3 cups water
  • 4 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ½ cup chopped cilantro.

SEE FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD BELOW

How to Make Taco Spaghetti

You are going to love how easy it is to throw this recipe together. It’s virtually impossible to mess it up. Best of all you only need one pan and 30-minutes, which means it’s just as easy to clean it up as it is to make it.

  1. BROWN ground beef and onion.Taco Spaghetti ground beef in a pan
  2. ADD taco seasoning, Rotel tomatoes, noodles, and water and bring to a boil.Taco Spaghetti one pot
  3. REDUCE heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.Taco Spaghetti cooked in pot
  4. STIR in half of the cheese and top with the other half and the cilantro.Taco Spaghetti mixed

How to Serve

Taco Spaghetti is best enjoyed hot, so serve it as soon as it’s ready to capture all its cheesy, spicy goodness. Serve with chips, Homemade Salsa, and our Easy Guacamole!

Taco Spaghetti on a plate

Taco Spaghetti Recipe Variations and Add-ins

  • PASTA: You could use any type of noodle for this recipe. If you want to stick with the feeling of spaghetti, you should use a long noodle-like linguine, angel hair, or fettuccine. You could also choose a smaller, bite-size noodle such as penne, bowtie, or macaroni.
  • TOPPINGS: Feel free to top this pasta off with any of your favorite taco toppings. I love to add some fresh tomato, black olives, and onions to mine! You can also add them into your recipe, instead of using them as a garnish.
  • BAKE: If you want to really go the extra mile with this recipe, throw it in a casserole dish when it is done cooking and put it in the oven on 350 for about 10 minutes with the cheese on top. Then for about 3-5 minutes crank up the heat to get the cheese and top layer a little bit browned. It is delicious!

Tips For The Best Taco Spaghetti

  • Use Quality Ingredients: Opt for fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavors. Fresh herbs, good-quality meat, and premium cheese can make a significant difference.
  • Season Well: Don’t skimp on the taco seasoning; it’s the heart of the dish. You can even make your own homemade taco seasoning for a more authentic flavor.
  • Cook Pasta Al Dente: For the best texture, cook the spaghetti until it’s al dente. This ensures it won’t get mushy when mixed with the sauce. Depending on which type of noodles you use, it could take more than 15 minutes or less. Keep an eye on it.
  • Brown the Meat Properly: Make sure to brown the meat well to unlock its full flavor potential. This adds depth to the overall dish.
  • One-Pot Method: Stick to cooking everything in one pot for easier cleanup and better flavor melding.
  • Taste and Adjust: Before serving, taste the dish and adjust the seasoning if necessary. A dash of salt or a sprinkle of chili flakes can elevate the dish.
  • Garnish Wisely: A sprinkle of fresh cilantro or a dollop of sour cream can add a fresh contrast to the rich, spicy flavors.

How to Store TACO SPAGHETTI

This makes a fairly big batch of pasta, so we usually have enough for two dinners at our house. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

This recipe makes great leftovers, the flavors are almost better the second day. To reheat, simply pop it in the microwave!

How to Reheat This Mexican Spaghetti Recipe

Place your pasta in a microwave-safe dish and add a little bit of extra pasta sauce or water on top. This will help it keep from drying out. Cover the dish and microwave on medium power for about 1 minute or until warmed (adding about 15-second increments) all the way through.

Taco Spaghetti close up

More Favorites from Princess Pinky Girl

4.82 from 201 votes
Taco Spaghetti in one pot

Taco Spaghetti Recipe

Serves — 6
Taco spaghetti is a delicious Mexican casserole that brings together two of our all-time favorite dishes, tacos and spaghetti with meat sauce all made in one pan and ready in under 30 minutes!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ¼ cup yellow onions
  • ¼ cup taco seasoning or 1 packet
  • 10 oz. can Rotel tomatoes do NOT drain
  • 8 oz. spaghetti noodles uncooked
  • 3 cups water
  • 4 oz. cheddar cheese shredded
  • ½ cup chopped cilantro

Instructions
 

  • Heat olive oil in a 12 inch skillet over medium heat. Brown ground beef and onion in skillet until meat is no longer pink and onions are soft and translucent.
  • Add taco seasoning, Rotel tomatoes (including juice), spaghetti noodles, and water.
  • Bring to a boil over high heat. Once water comes to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Remove from heat. Sprinkle half of the cheese into the pan and stir to distribute the cooked spaghetti and cheese throughout the pan.
  • Top with remaining cheese and cilantro.

Jenn’s Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Video

Nutrition Info

Calories: 391kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 976mg | Potassium: 470mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1259IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 4mg
Jennifer Fishkind

About Jenn

Jenn is a mom to three beautiful boys, wife to an amazing husband, social influencer and blogger. I love all things easy recipes, easy crafts, all things hacks, traveling EVERYWHERE and feeding my Pinterest addiction!

Related Recipes

Secrets to Quick & Easy Desserts
FREE EMAIL BONUS
How to make delicious desserts in no time at all!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How many stars would you give this recipe?




Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Since learning of this recipe. It has made a large number of households extremely happy. I’ve shared it with many of my friends. Mahalo!

  2. 5 stars
    My husband absolutely loved this! He talked about it for days & when he spoke to his sister on the phone he told her about it. It sounded so good to her she requested it so I sent it to her. I only had hot taco seasoning on hand & it gave it a great flavor. I’ve enjoyed all your recipes I’ve tried.