Description
Hearty crockpot taco spaghetti combines Mexican and Italian flavors in one comforting dish. Rich ground beef, zesty seasonings, and melted cheese create a crowd-pleasing meal that satisfies hungry families with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 can (10 ounces / 280 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 can (8 ounces / 227 grams) tomato sauce
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Liquid and Pasta:
- 3 cups (710 milliliters) beef broth
- 8 ounces (227 grams) spaghetti, broken in half
Cheese and Optional Toppings:
- 1 cup (115 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream (optional)
- Chopped cilantro (optional)
- Jalapenos (optional)
Instructions
- Thoroughly sear ground beef in a hot skillet until completely browned, eliminating excess grease, then transfer meat to the slow cooker.
- Incorporate taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth, mixing ingredients until evenly distributed.
- Secure crockpot lid and simmer on low temperature for 4 hours or high temperature for 2 hours, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Carefully break spaghetti into smaller segments and gently fold into the meat mixture, ensuring pasta is fully submerged in liquid.
- Continue cooking on high setting for approximately 30 minutes, periodically stirring to prevent pasta from sticking and ensure even cooking.
- When pasta reaches desired tenderness, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese throughout the dish and allow it to melt completely.
- Plate the spaghetti immediately while hot, garnishing with classic taco accompaniments such as fresh cilantro, dollops of sour cream, or additional cheese for enhanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Ensure ground beef is browned thoroughly to develop rich, deep flavors and eliminate any raw meat texture.
- Break spaghetti into smaller pieces before adding to prevent clumping and ensure even cooking throughout the crockpot.
- Customize the dish by using lean ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a healthier protein option that maintains the same delicious taco-inspired taste.
- For a gluten-free version, swap traditional spaghetti with gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising the recipe’s hearty essence.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg