Name: Taco Spaghetti Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 pound ground beef; ¼ cup yellow onions, chopped; 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

There’s something incredibly comforting about the way spicy taco flavors meld with tender spaghetti in this Taco Spaghetti Recipe. It’s that exciting twist on classic pasta that immediately makes dinner feel fun and a little adventurous—plus, it’s so simple to pull together!

A large silver pan is filled with a mix of long, thin yellow spaghetti noodles and browned ground meat pieces. Scattered throughout are small, bright red tomato chunks and melted orange-yellow cheese strands that lightly cover the dish. Fresh green herb leaves are spread on top, adding a touch of color. In the background, there is a white marbled surface with a white cutting board holding a pile of shredded yellow cheese and some fresh green herbs. A woman's hand is reaching toward the pan from the right side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Taco Spaghetti Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Taco Spaghetti Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Taco Spaghetti Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Taco Spaghetti Recipe has been a cozy favorite in my kitchen precisely because it breaks the rules in the best possible way—taco meets pasta in a one-pan dish that tastes like a fiesta in every bite. It’s ready quicker than you’d expect for such exciting flavors.

One-Pan Wonder: Minimal cleanup and maximum flavor—you just cook everything together, making weeknight dinners way less stressful.
Bold, Familiar Flavors: It captures all those taco seasonings you love, but with the familiar comfort of spaghetti noodles.
Super Customizable: You can easily swap in your favorite taco toppings or switch up the protein to suit your mood and pantry.
Quick & Satisfying: From stove to table in just about 30 minutes—perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty and filling fast.

A close-up view of a fork lifting a twisted bunch of yellowish spaghetti mixed with browned ground meat and small red tomato pieces, with a single green cilantro leaf on top. The background shows blurred shredded cheese and a white marbled surface. The texture of the pasta is smooth and mixed with a light sauce, and the meat appears crumbly and moist, spread evenly throughout the noodles. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The beauty of this Taco Spaghetti Recipe lies in its simple, savory ingredients that come together to create a hearty, flavorful dish. These key players give it that perfect taco-inspired punch balanced with the wholesome comfort of pasta.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a mound of fresh raw lean ground beef, a small white bowl filled with finely chopped yellow onions, a small white bowl of warm red and orange diced Rotel tomatoes with juice, uncooked pale yellow spaghetti noodles arranged neatly, a small white bowl of bright orange shredded cheddar cheese, a small white bowl of fresh green chopped cilantro, and two smooth brown eggs placed whole and uncracked, all ingredients arranged symmetrically in perfect balance on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Olive oil: A good quality oil helps brown the beef nicely and adds a subtle richness without overpowering.
Ground beef: The classic taco protein that soaks up seasoning and provides meaty depth.
Yellow onions: They soften and sweeten as they cook, balancing the spice from the taco seasoning.
Taco seasoning: This blend of spices is the heart of the taco vibe—pre-made packets work perfectly for convenience.
Rotel tomatoes (with juice): These bring a fresh, zesty kick and a little heat—you want that flavorful liquid in there to cook the noodles right.
Spaghetti noodles: Regular spaghetti holds up well here and soaks in the taco-flavored sauce during cooking.
Water: Necessary to cook the pasta right in the sauce, absorbing all those flavors.
Cheddar cheese: Shredded cheese adds creamy, melty goodness that ties everything together.
Cilantro: Fresh cilantro on top adds a bright, herbaceous note to finish the dish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I adore about this Taco Spaghetti Recipe is how flexible it is. I’ve played around with it quite a bit, and you should feel free to tweak any part of it until it feels just right for you.

Variation: I sometimes swap ground beef for ground turkey or even crumbled tofu to lighten it up, and honestly, it’s just as delicious. You can also sneak in extra veggies like bell peppers or corn to sneak in some greens with minimal effort.
Spice it up or tone it down: Adjust the amount of taco seasoning to make it as mild or spicy as you like—your taste buds are the boss here.
Cheese swap: If cheddar isn’t your jam, Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese adds a nice twist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Taco Spaghetti Recipe

Step 1: Warm Oil and Brown the Beef

I start by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it’s shimmering, I toss in the ground beef and diced onions. It’s important to break the meat apart and brown it well—don’t rush this step! This is where you build that deep flavor, so cook until there are no pink bits and the onions are soft and translucent.

Step 2: Add Seasoning, Tomatoes, Noodles & Water

With the beef nicely browned, sprinkle the taco seasoning over the mixture and stir to coat everything evenly. Then pour in the whole can of Rotel tomatoes—juice and all—because that liquid is magic for cooking the pasta. Add the spaghetti noodles and pour three cups of water on top. Everything should be covered with liquid or close to it.

Step 3: Simmer Until Noodles are Tender

Turn the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer gently for about 15 minutes. Peek occasionally towards the end to make sure the noodles aren’t sticking to the bottom and the liquid is mostly absorbed. This is the crucial moment when the pasta soaks up all those taco flavors!

Step 4: Stir in Cheese and Finish with Garnish

Once the pasta is tender, remove the pan from heat and stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese—this melts into the dish, creating that creamy texture you want. Then sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top along with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve immediately while everything is warm and melty.

Top Tip

Over time, I’ve learned a few personal tricks that make this Taco Spaghetti Recipe turn out great every single time, so I’m happy to share these with you to save you some trial and error.

Brown the Meat Well: Taking your time to brown the ground beef properly enriches the flavor and prevents a soggy outcome.
Don’t Drain the Tomatoes: The juice from the Rotel is essential for cooking the spaghetti, so add it all to the pan.
Watch the Pasta Closely: Every stovetop is a little different, so keep an eye on the pasta the last few minutes to avoid overcooking and mushiness.
Finish with Fresh Cilantro: I always add cilantro right before serving—it brightens up the rich flavors and adds freshness.

How to Serve Taco Spaghetti Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping mine with a handful of fresh cilantro or even some sliced green onions. Sometimes I add a dollop of sour cream or some diced tomatoes to lighten it up. Shredded lettuce or sliced olives tossed on top give it that fun taco salad vibe that the kids adore.

Side Dishes

Most nights, I keep it simple with tortilla chips and a fresh side salad—think crunchy romaine, avocado, and a light lime vinaigrette. Or jazz it up with some Mexican street corn or a quick bean salad if you want extra color and texture on your plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For a casual dinner party, I’ve baked this dish in a casserole dish topped with extra cheese and broiled it until golden and bubbly—people always ask for seconds! Serving it in individual oven-safe ramekins with a little garnish makes it feel super special and festive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover Taco Spaghetti Recipe in an airtight container in the fridge—it keeps well for 3 to 4 days. Just make sure to cool it completely before sealing to avoid soggy noodles.

Freezing

I’ve tried freezing leftovers in portion-sized containers. It freezes okay, but the texture of the pasta changes slightly when reheated, so I recommend eating fresh if you can. If freezing, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.

Reheating

To reheat, I usually warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water or broth to bring back some moisture and prevent it from drying out. Microwave works too, just cover loosely and stir halfway through to heat evenly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use pasta shapes other than spaghetti?

Absolutely! While spaghetti works great because it cooks well in the sauce, small pasta shapes like elbow macaroni or shells can be fun and work well too. Just keep an eye on cooking times since shapes vary.

What can I substitute for ground beef?

You can use ground turkey, chicken, pork, or even plant-based ground alternatives. Just adjust the cooking time to make sure the protein is cooked through. Vegan friends have also swapped in crumbled tofu or lentils with good results.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

The traditional Taco Spaghetti Recipe uses regular spaghetti noodles, so it’s not gluten-free as is. However, you can substitute gluten-free pasta to make it suitable for gluten-free diets without sacrificing flavor.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dish up to the simmering step, then cool and refrigerate it. When you’re ready, reheat gently on the stove and add cheese and garnishes fresh to keep flavors vibrant.

Final Thoughts

This Taco Spaghetti Recipe is one of those go-to meals that always brings a smile to the table. It’s a little unexpected, full of flavor, and easy enough to make on a busy weeknight without hassle. I genuinely hope you enjoy it as much as I do—and feel free to share your own tweaks and favorite toppings with me!