Description
Sizzling slow-cooked taco-flavored spaghetti delight brings Mexican and Italian cuisines together in one incredible dish. Spicy, cheesy, and packed with bold flavors, this comfort meal promises a delectable journey through culinary fusion you won’t forget.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Meat:
- 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
Liquid and Pasta Components:
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (10 ounces) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup water
- 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti, broken in half
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, eliminating excess fat. Sauté diced onions and minced garlic for 2-3 minutes until aromatic.
- Transfer seasoned meat mixture into slow cooker, incorporating taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, Rotel tomatoes, beef broth, and water.
- Configure slow cooker to low temperature, allowing ingredients to simmer and meld flavors for approximately 4 hours, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking.
- During the final hour of cooking, gently introduce spaghetti into the liquid, ensuring complete submersion and even distribution.
- Continue cooking until pasta reaches perfect tenderness, approximately 45-60 minutes.
- Integrate shredded cheddar cheese moments before serving, allowing it to melt smoothly into the dish.
- Enhance final presentation by sprinkling fresh chopped cilantro, then season with salt and pepper according to personal preference.
Notes
- Customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of taco seasoning or using a mild or hot variety to suit different taste preferences.
- Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian alternative that maintains the dish’s rich flavor profile.
- Prevent spaghetti from becoming mushy by adding it later in the cooking process and checking its texture frequently to achieve the perfect al dente consistency.
- Enhance the dish’s nutritional value by incorporating additional vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini during the initial cooking stage for extra texture and nutrients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg