One Pot Taco Spaghetti
Ground beef, tomatoes, taco seasoning, and spaghetti simmer together in one pot, then finish with cream cheese and cheddar for a creamy, cheesy taco pasta dinner.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef 85/15 or 80/20 both work; drain excess fat after browning.
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning Or use a batch of homemade taco seasoning for one pound of beef.
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes Use the juices too.
- 2 cups beef broth Keep a splash extra on hand in case the pot gets dry.
- 8 oz dry spaghetti Break in half so it fits under the liquid.
- 4 oz cream cheese Cubed and softened.
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese
- to taste salt and black pepper
- chopped cilantro or sliced green onions For garnish.
Instructions
Cooking
- Heat a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it into small crumbles, until no pink remains, 5 to 7 minutes (160°F internal temperature). Spoon off all but about 1 tablespoon of fat.
- Add the diced onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and taco seasoning and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a boil.
- Add the broken spaghetti and press it down so the noodles are mostly submerged.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the spaghetti is tender. If the liquid cooks off before the pasta is done, add a splash of broth or water.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the cream cheese until melted and creamy, then fold in the shredded cheese.
- Season with salt and pepper, let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes so the sauce thickens, then serve hot topped with cilantro or green onions.
Notes
Serve with sour cream, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, avocado, or crushed tortilla chips. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours for up to 3 days and reheat with a splash of broth. Nutrition information is an estimate.