Taco Spaghetti
If you love tacos and you love a big bowl of cheesy spaghetti, this Taco Spaghetti brings the best of both worlds together.
It’s saucy, cheesy, flavorful, and incredibly comforting.
Imagine tender spaghetti tossed with seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, taco spices, and creamy melted cheese. It’s everything you want from a cozy family dinner, but with a fun Tex-Mex twist.
I made this one weekend when I was trying to come up with something easy that everyone would enjoy.
We had ground beef in the refrigerator and a box of spaghetti in the pantry. I could have made regular spaghetti, but I was craving tacos.
So I decided to combine the two.
I browned the beef with onion and garlic, added taco seasoning and tomatoes, then tossed everything with cooked spaghetti.
Finally, I covered the whole thing with cheese.
When it came out of the oven, the cheese was melted and bubbling, and the kitchen smelled incredible.
Everyone grabbed a plate.
And before dinner was even over, someone was already asking if there was enough left for tomorrow.
That’s when I knew Taco Spaghetti was going into the regular dinner rotation.
It’s especially perfect for busy weeknights because it’s hearty, family-friendly, and easy to customize.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: About 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Why You’ll Love Taco Spaghetti
Easy one-dish comfort food
Cheesy and satisfying
Family-friendly
Uses simple pantry ingredients
Ready in about 40 minutes
Great for leftovers
Easy to customize
Perfect for busy weeknights
Taco night meets pasta night
Ingredients
For the Taco Spaghetti
1 lb ground beef
12 oz spaghetti
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 packet taco seasoning
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (10 oz) Rotel-style diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
1½ cups beef broth
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil, if needed
½ teaspoon salt, to taste
½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Garnishes
Fresh cilantro
Green onions
Diced tomatoes
Sliced jalapeños
Sour cream
Avocado
Salsa
Crushed tortilla chips
Lime wedges
How to Make Taco Spaghetti
Step 1: Cook the Spaghetti
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until just al dente.
Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the spaghetti.
Don’t overcook it because it will continue cooking when combined with the hot taco sauce.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef.
Cook for approximately 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
Drain excess grease if necessary.
Step 3: Add Onion and Garlic
Add the diced onion to the beef.
Cook for about 3–4 minutes, until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
The kitchen should already smell amazing.
Step 4: Add the Taco Seasoning
Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the beef mixture.
Stir well so the seasoning coats the meat evenly.
Cook for about 1 minute.
Step 5: Add the Tomatoes and Broth
Pour in the diced tomatoes and tomatoes with green chilies.
Add the beef broth.
Stir everything together.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Step 6: Add the Cream Cheese
Reduce the heat to medium-low.
Add the softened cream cheese.
Stir until it melts into the sauce and everything becomes creamy.
If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
Step 7: Add the Spaghetti
Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet.
Toss everything together until the pasta is completely coated in the taco sauce.
Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper.
Step 8: Add the Cheese
Sprinkle the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese over the top.
You can cover the skillet with a lid for a few minutes until the cheese melts.
For an extra-golden finish, transfer the mixture to a baking dish and place it under the broiler for 1–2 minutes.
Watch closely.
Step 9: Garnish
Remove from the heat.
Top with fresh cilantro, green onions, sliced jalapeños, or any of your favorite taco toppings.
Serve hot.
My Best Tips
Don’t Overcook the Pasta
Cook the spaghetti just until al dente.
It will absorb some of the sauce as it sits.
Soften the Cream Cheese
Room-temperature cream cheese melts much more easily into the sauce.
Use Freshly Grated Cheese
Freshly grated cheese generally melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
Save Some Pasta Water
A splash of pasta water can loosen the sauce and help everything come together.
Taste Before Adding Salt
Taco seasoning, broth, tomatoes, and cheese can all contain salt.
Taste first, then adjust.
Can I Use Ground Turkey?
Absolutely.
Ground turkey makes a lighter version while still working beautifully with the taco seasoning.
You can also use ground chicken.
Can I Use Ground Pork?
Yes.
Ground pork adds extra richness and works especially well with spicy taco seasoning.
Can I Make This Vegetarian?
Definitely.
Replace the ground beef with:
Black beans
Pinto beans
Lentils
Vegetarian taco crumbles
Sautéed mushrooms
A combination of black beans and corn is particularly delicious.
Can I Add Beans?
Yes!
Add approximately 1 cup drained black beans or pinto beans.
They make the dish extra hearty.
Can I Add Corn?
Absolutely.
Add ½–1 cup corn to the sauce.
Frozen, canned, or fresh corn all work.
Can I Make It Spicy?
Definitely.
Add:
Jalapeños
Cayenne pepper
Extra green chilies
Hot salsa
Chipotle peppers
Hot taco seasoning
For serious heat, add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.
Can I Use Different Pasta?
Yes.
Try:
Penne
Rotini
Rigatoni
Bow-tie pasta
Cavatappi
Spaghetti squash for a lower-carb option
Can I Make This Without Cream Cheese?
Yes.
You can omit it and use a little extra shredded cheese.
The result will be less creamy but still delicious.
For a creamy texture without cream cheese, add a little sour cream at the end.
Can I Use Homemade Taco Seasoning?
Absolutely.
A simple homemade blend can include:
Chili powder
Cumin
Paprika
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Oregano
Salt
Black pepper
Adjust the heat to your liking.
Can I Make Taco Spaghetti Ahead?
Yes.
Prepare the entire dish, let it cool, cover it, and refrigerate it.
When ready to eat, reheat gently in the oven.
You may want to add a splash of broth or water before reheating to loosen the sauce.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
How to Reheat
Reheat individual portions in the microwave.
Add a small splash of water or broth before reheating to keep the pasta from drying out.
For larger portions, cover and reheat in a 175°C (350°F) oven until hot.
Can I Freeze Taco Spaghetti?
Yes.
Let it cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers.
Freeze for up to approximately 2–3 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently.
The texture of the pasta may soften slightly after freezing, but it will still be tasty.
Delicious Variations
Cheesy Taco Spaghetti Bake
Transfer everything to a casserole dish, cover with extra cheese, and bake until bubbly.
Chicken Taco Spaghetti
Use shredded cooked chicken instead of ground beef.
Beef & Bean Taco Spaghetti
Add black beans and corn for an extra-hearty version.
Spicy Taco Spaghetti
Add jalapeños, green chilies, hot sauce, and Pepper Jack cheese.
Loaded Taco Spaghetti
Top with sour cream, avocado, cilantro, tomatoes, jalapeños, and crushed tortilla chips.
Bacon Taco Spaghetti
Add crispy chopped bacon for a smoky twist.
What to Serve With Taco Spaghetti
This is a hearty meal on its own, but a few simple sides are delicious.
Try:
Green salad
Mexican street corn
Guacamole
Salsa
Refried beans
Black bean salad
Roasted vegetables
Corn salad
A simple avocado and tomato salad is one of my favorite pairings.
Nutritional Information
Approximate per serving:
Calories: 560
Protein: 30g
Fat: 27g
Total Carbohydrates: 52g
Fibre: 5g
Net Carbohydrates: 47g
Nutrition values are estimates and will vary depending on the pasta, cheese, taco seasoning, and toppings used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Taco Spaghetti in one pot?
Yes. Cook the beef and sauce in a large pot, then add the uncooked spaghetti with enough broth or water to cook it directly in the sauce. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
Why is my Taco Spaghetti dry?
The pasta may have absorbed more sauce than expected. Add a splash of broth or reserved pasta water and stir until creamy again.
Can I make it less spicy?
Use mild taco seasoning and mild diced tomatoes without green chilies.
Can I make it extra cheesy?
Absolutely. Add more cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack.
Can I add sour cream?
Yes. Stir a little sour cream into individual servings or add a dollop on top.
What toppings go best with Taco Spaghetti?
Cilantro, green onions, avocado, sour cream, jalapeños, salsa, and crushed tortilla chips are all delicious.
Final Thoughts
This Taco Spaghetti is exactly the kind of dinner I love making when I want something comforting without making the meal complicated.
It’s the kind of recipe that starts with ordinary ingredients and somehow turns into something everyone gets excited about.
I made it on a weekend when I was craving tacos but had spaghetti sitting in the pantry.
Instead of choosing between taco night and pasta night, I decided to combine them.
And honestly, I’m glad I did.
The seasoned beef gives the sauce so much flavor.
The tomatoes add just the right amount of acidity.
The cream cheese makes everything wonderfully creamy.
And then there is the cheese.
Lots of melted cheese.
When the skillet comes off the stove, I like adding fresh cilantro and green onions before carrying it straight to the table.
Sometimes I’ll put out bowls of sour cream, salsa, jalapeños, and avocado so everyone can build their own plate.
It’s especially fun when you’re feeding a family because everyone gets to customize their bowl.
Some people want extra cheese.
Some want heat.
Some want a mountain of avocado.
And some, like me, just want everything.
The leftovers are just as good the next day, which makes this a great recipe for busy weeks.
If you’re cooking for a crowd, double the recipe.
If you’re feeding a smaller family, the leftovers make an easy lunch.
And if you have picky eaters at home, this is one of those recipes that’s usually an easy win.
It’s cheesy pasta.
It’s taco-seasoned beef.
It’s creamy sauce.
It’s comfort food.
What isn’t there to love?
So next time you’re standing in the kitchen wondering whether to make tacos or spaghetti, don’t choose.
Make Taco Spaghetti.
One pot, one skillet, one very happy dinner table. 🌮🍝🧀