This Cheesy Taco Spaghetti is an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love! Made with taco seasoning, salsa, and plenty of cheese, it's creamy, cheesy, and packed with delicious Tex-Mex flavors.
Looking for more easy dinner recipes? Try my Chicken Quesadillas or Hamburger Soup next!
About This Recipe
I've never met anyone who doesn't like tacos. I mean, what could you possibly hate about them? They're beefy, cheesy, and delicious in all the right ways. That's why this cheesy taco spaghetti is always a hit with everyone. If they served this at somewhere like Olive Garden, I bet it would become a number one seller!
I love this recipe because it's super easy to throw together. If you have 20 minutes, then you can make this recipe. All you do is make a meat sauce, then toss it with cooked spaghetti. The meat sauce is ready in 10 minutes and is made with ground beef, salsa, taco seasoning, and cheddar cheese. I also like to add a splash of heavy cream to give the sauce an even creamier texture.
I made this for meal prep this week, and one thing I've learned is to heat up the leftovers slowly. This prevents the sauce from breaking and becoming oily. I don't have a microwave, so I usually have to do this on the stovetop. Add some water to a pan, stir the pasta often, and keep the heat on medium or lower. It warms evenly, stays creamy, and tastes just as good as the first time!
Key Ingredients
Spaghetti: Just follow the package directions for cooking the spaghetti. And this goes without saying, but you can replace the spaghetti with any type of pasta you like.
Ground beef: I use lean ground beef. No need to add any oil to the pan, as even lean ground beef has enough fat to lubricate it.
Onion: For savory depth and freshness.
Taco seasoning: I used mild taco seasoning, but feel free to change the spice level to your preference.
Salsa: Any jarred salsa will work. You can also use marinara or pasta sauce.
Heavy cream: For extra richness and creaminess.
Cheddar cheese: I love cheddar cheese in this recipe, but gruyere and Velveeta would be great choices as well.
Instructions
STEP 1: Bring a medium pot of water to a rolling boil. Cook the spaghetti following the package directions. Drain and set aside.
STEP 2: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown and crumble the beef and onions for 6-7 minutes until no longer pink.
STEP 3: Add the taco seasoning and cook for 30 seconds.
STEP 4: Add the salsa, water, and heavy cream. Bring to a boil and cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
STEP 5: Reduce to low heat. Add the cheddar cheese and gently fold until the cheese melts.
STEP 6: Stir in the spaghetti.
Cheesy Taco Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 10 ounces spaghetti
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 1 ounce package taco seasoning
- 1 ½ cups salsa
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Bring a medium pot of water to a rolling boil. Cook the spaghetti following the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown and crumble the beef and onions for 6-7 minutes until no longer pink.
- Add the taco seasoning and cook for 30 seconds. Add the salsa, water, and heavy cream. Bring to a boil and cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
- Reduce to low heat. Add the cheddar cheese and gently fold until the cheese melts. Stir in the spaghetti. Enjoy!
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