Description
A flavorful and easy One-Pot Taco Spaghetti combining classic taco ingredients with hearty spaghetti, all cooked together for a delicious, cheesy, and comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (4 ounces) green chilies, diced
Liquids and Pasta
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 2 cups beef broth
- 8 ounces spaghetti
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Heat the pot: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.
- Cook the beef: Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
- Drain grease: Remove any excess grease from the pot to avoid excess fat in the dish.
- Sauté onion: Add the diced onion to the pot and sauté for about 3-4 minutes, or until softened and translucent.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Season the beef: Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the beef mixture and stir well to combine all the flavors.
- Add liquids and tomatoes: Pour in the diced tomatoes, green chilies, tomato sauce, and beef broth, stirring everything together evenly.
- Simmer and add pasta: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then add the uncooked spaghetti directly into the pot.
- Submerge spaghetti: Push the spaghetti down into the liquid, making sure it’s mostly submerged so it cooks properly.
- Cook pasta: Cover the pot and cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
- Check doneness: Taste the spaghetti to ensure it’s tender; once done, remove the pot from heat.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the spaghetti inside the pot.
- Melt cheese: Cover the pot again and let it sit for a few minutes so the cheese can melt thoroughly.
- Mix cheese in: Once melted, stir everything together to evenly distribute the cheesy goodness throughout the spaghetti.
- Serve and garnish: Serve the taco spaghetti hot in bowls and top each serving with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro for freshness.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add diced jalapeños or extra green chilies.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free spaghetti.
- Leftovers reheat well in the microwave or on stovetop with a splash of beef broth or water.
- Feel free to top with additional toppings such as sliced avocado, chopped green onions, or crushed tortilla chips for extra texture.
