Description
Mexican-inspired crockpot taco spaghetti combines hearty pasta with zesty ground beef and melted cheese. Spicy, cheesy comfort awaits home cooks seeking an easy weeknight dinner solution that delivers bold flavors in one simple pot.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Pasta and Seasoning:
- 8 ounces (227 grams) spaghetti, broken in half
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Tomato and Broth Base:
- 1 can (10 ounces / 283 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 can (8 ounces / 227 grams) tomato sauce
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) beef broth
Cheese and Optional Toppings:
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream (optional)
- Cilantro (optional)
- Green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until completely browned and no pink remains, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Thoroughly incorporate taco seasoning into the meat, ensuring even distribution of spices.
- Transfer seasoned beef to the crockpot and combine with diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth, mixing ingredients gently.
- Set crockpot to low temperature and allow mixture to simmer for 4 hours, developing rich flavor profiles.
- Carefully add uncooked spaghetti noodles into the crockpot, gently stirring to prevent clumping and ensure noodles are submerged in liquid.
- Continue cooking for 30-40 minutes until pasta reaches perfect al dente texture, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top, allowing it to melt completely and create a creamy, luxurious finish.
- Garnish with optional toppings like fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or sour cream before serving hot directly from the crockpot.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, lighter version of the dish.
- Consider using whole wheat spaghetti to boost nutritional value and add more fiber to the meal.
- Break spaghetti noodles in half before adding to crockpot to ensure even cooking and easier serving.
- For a spicier kick, mix in diced green chilies or sprinkle red pepper flakes into the sauce before cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 435 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg