Description
This Taco Spaghetti recipe combines the bold flavors of taco seasoning with classic spaghetti, creating a delicious Mexican-American fusion dish. Ground beef is cooked with onions and taco seasoning, then simmered with diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, and black beans before being tossed with spaghetti and topped with melted cheddar cheese. Garnished with fresh cilantro and jalapeños, this easy and flavorful meal is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghetti
- 12 ounces spaghetti
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
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
Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup corn kernels (frozen or canned, drained)
- 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh cilantro
- Sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Brown the Beef and Onion: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion, cooking until the beef is browned and the onions are softened. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Add Taco Seasoning and Simmer: Stir in the taco seasoning packet and 1 cup of water. Let the mixture simmer for 2 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Add Tomato and Vegetables: Add the diced tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, corn kernels, and black beans to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Combine Spaghetti and Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce and toss everything together until evenly combined.
- Melt Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the pasta mixture. Cover the skillet and let it sit for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro and sliced jalapeños as desired before serving for an extra burst of flavor and color.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef for a lighter option.
- Use hot diced tomatoes with green chilies or add cayenne pepper if you prefer your dish spicier.
- This dish can also be transferred to a casserole dish, topped with additional cheese, and baked for a bubbly baked version.
