Description
Crockpot taco spaghetti brings Tex-Mex comfort straight to dinner tables with minimal effort. Mexican-inspired flavors meld perfectly, creating a simple one-pot meal that satisfies hungry families and spice enthusiasts looking for quick weeknight magic.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup shredded chicken
Pasta and Base:
- 8 oz spaghetti noodles
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (4 oz) green chiles
Seasonings and Extras:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbles until no longer pink, then drain excess fat.
- Transfer browned beef to crockpot and add shredded chicken, minced garlic, taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, green chiles, chicken broth, water, salt, and black pepper. Stir ingredients to combine thoroughly.
- Break spaghetti noodles in half and nestle them into the meat mixture, ensuring they are mostly submerged in liquid.
- Cover crockpot and cook on low setting for 3-4 hours, gently stirring occasionally to prevent noodles from sticking together.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, check pasta for tenderness and ensure there’s enough liquid to prevent burning.
- Once pasta is cooked and meat is tender, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top and let it melt for 5-10 minutes.
- Turn off crockpot and let the dish rest for 10 minutes to allow sauce to thicken and flavors to meld.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and dollop sour cream before serving hot directly from the crockpot.
Notes
- Elevate flavor by using homemade taco seasoning for a more authentic and customizable taste profile.
- Break spaghetti noodles evenly to ensure uniform cooking and prevent clumping in the crockpot.
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of this comfort dish.
- Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian adaptation, using plant-based protein alternatives like crumbled tofu or meat substitute.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg