January 8, 2024
Review RecipeCrockpot Taco Spaghetti
Crockpot taco spaghetti is a delightful fusion of Mexican and Italian flavors, offering flavorful ground beef, zesty taco seasoning, and tender spaghetti, all cooked to perfection in a crockpot.
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Get ready to savor the delectable blend of Mexican and Italian cuisines with our crockpot taco spaghetti. It’s the perfect recipe to satisfy your family’s cravings and add a little twist to pasta night with its rich flavors and ease of preparation.
Crockpot Taco Spaghetti Ingredients
Ground beef serves as the hearty foundation, imparting a rich, meaty essence. The addition of taco seasoning introduces a blend of spices, evoking the classic taste of tacos.
Zesty flavor comes from Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilis, while fresh cilantro contributes a vibrant burst of freshness and color.
The comforting core of the dish is formed by spaghetti noodles, with cheddar cheese adding creamy, cheesy goodness.
You’ll need:
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1½ pounds of ground beef
- ¾ cups of diced yellow onion
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
- 1-ounce packet of taco seasoning
- 2 (10-ounce) cans of Rotel original diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro, divided into 2 tablespoons and 1 tablespoon
- 1 pound of dried spaghetti noodles, broken in half to fit inside the crockpot
- 2 cups of beef broth
- 3 cups of water
- 8 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
PRO TIP:
You can buy the “pot-sized” spaghetti noodles (Mueller’s brand) for this recipe for ease of use. You do not need to break your noodles in half as they are already a shorter length straight from the box.
Substitutions and Additions
GROUND BEEF: For a leaner option, you can substitute ground turkey or chicken. Vegetarians can use plant-based crumbles in this pasta dish.
TACO SEASONING: Adjust the spice level by choosing mild, medium, or hot taco seasoning packets. Try our homemade taco seasoning recipe if you would like to make your own.
CILANTRO: If cilantro isn’t your thing, fresh chopped parsley can be a great alternative for your Mexican spaghetti.
CHEDDAR CHEESE: Experiment with Colby Jack or pepper jack cheese or a Mexican cheese blend for a different flavor profile.
HEAT: Adjust the heat level by adding a dash of red pepper flakes along with the taco seasoning.
How To Make This Crockpot Taco Spaghetti Recipe
Once you prep the beef and onions, everything goes into your crockpot which does the rest of the work while you go about your day.
STEP ONE: In a skillet on medium-high heat, add the olive oil, ground beef, diced yellow onion, salt, and black pepper.
Cook and brown the meat for 5-6 minutes or until no pink remains in the ground beef and the onions are translucent. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
STEP TWO: Transfer the cooked ground beef mixture to the insert of a 6-quart crockpot. Add the taco seasoning, Rotel tomatoes, two tablespoons of fresh chopped cilantro, uncooked spaghetti noodles, beef broth, and water.
Give all the ingredients a stir, and be sure that all the spaghetti noodles are submerged in the liquid.
STEP THREE: Place the lid on the crockpot and cook on HIGH for two hours. You can check for doneness at 1½ hours to be sure that you do not overcook your noodles.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
If you use thin spaghetti, you may want to check your spaghetti for doneness at the 1-hour mark to ensure that you do not overcook your pasta.
STEP FOUR: Once the noodles are cooked, turn the crock pot off and remove the lid. Using a pair of tongs or a pasta spoon, give the spaghetti a good stir to combine all the ingredients evenly.
Add the shredded cheese to the spaghetti and stir again to combine. Top with the remaining one tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro and serve.
PRO TIP:
This crock pot spaghetti should be served immediately. The longer the spaghetti noodles cook, the softer they will get as they will continue to absorb the liquid from the sauce.
How To Serve
Serve this slow cooker taco pasta as a comforting weeknight dinner with a side of garlic bread and a crisp Caesar salad.
Elevate your taco night by adding guacamole, sour cream, and salsa for everyone to add their favorite toppings.
Turn it into a party dish by setting up a taco bar with various toppings, allowing your guests to build their own hearty meal. Add Spanish rice and elote corn salad on the side,
Our taco lasagna and taco pizza are two other dishes that are a mashup between Italian and Mexican cuisine.
MORE CROCKPOT RECIPES
Storage
If you would like to store this taco spaghetti to enjoy later, here are a few helpful tips.
MAKE AHEAD: You can prepare the ground beef mixture in advance and store it in the fridge. Assemble everything in the crockpot when you’re ready to cook.
IN THE FRIDGE: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days.
IN THE FREEZER: Freeze in an airtight container for up to two months. Thaw completely before reheating.
REHEATING: Reheat in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the crockpot with a splash of water or beef broth until warmed through.
Why We Love This Recipe
There are plenty of reasons to adore delicious recipe, such as:
FLAVOR FUSION: This dish combines the best of Mexican and Italian flavors into a flavor mash-up.
FAMILY FAVORITE: Everyone at the table will ask for seconds of this delicious dinner once they have their first satisfying bite.
Crockpot taco spaghetti is a delightful fusion of Mexican and Italian cuisines that delivers on flavor and simplicity. It’s a go-to choice for busy weeknights for a delicious meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef in this crock pot taco spaghetti recipe?
Ground turkey is a great lean alternative to ground beef in this recipe.
Can I use different types of cheese?
Certainly, try Colby Jack or pepper jack cheese for a different flavor.
Can I make it in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the beef mixture ahead of time and assemble the ingredients in the crockpot when you are ready to cook it.
How do I prevent the spaghetti from overcooking?
Check for doneness around 1½ hours to avoid overcooking the pasta.
What’s the difference between mild and hot taco seasoning?
Mild seasoning offers a milder spice level, while hot seasoning brings the heat.
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Crockpot Taco Spaghetti
Crockpot taco spaghetti is a delightful fusion of Mexican and Italian flavors, offering flavorful ground beef, zesty taco seasoning, and tender spaghetti, all cooked to perfection in a crockpot.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings 8
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- ¾ cups diced yellow onion
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ounce taco seasoning
- 20 ounces Rotel original diced tomatoes with green chilis (two 10-ounce cans)
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, divided into 2 tablespoons and 1 tablespoon
- 1 pound dried spaghetti noodles, broken in half to fit inside the crockpot
- 2 cups beef broth
- 3 cups water
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- In a skillet on medium-high heat, add the olive oil, ground beef, diced yellow onion, salt, and black pepper. Cook and brown the meat for 5-6 minutes or until no pink remains in the ground beef and the onions are translucent. Drain off all the excess fat from the skillet.
- Transfer the cooked ground beef mixture to the insert of a 6-quart crockpot. Add the taco seasoning, Rotel diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped cilantro, spaghetti noodles, beef broth, and water. Give all the ingredients a stir, and be sure that all the spaghetti noodles are submerged in the liquid.
- Place the lid on the crockpot and cook on HIGH for 2 hours. You can check for doneness at 1½ hours to be sure that you do not overcook your noodles.
- Once the noodles are cooked, turn the crock pot off and remove the lid. Using a pair of tongs or a pasta spoon, give the spaghetti a stir to combine all the ingredients evenly. Add the shredded cheddar cheese to the spaghetti and stir again to combine. Top with the remaining 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro and serve.
Notes
- You can buy the “pot-sized” spaghetti noodles (Mueller’s brand) for this recipe for ease of use. You do not need to break your noodles in half as they are already a shorter length straight from the box.
- If you use thin spaghetti, you may want to check your spaghetti for doneness at the 1-hour mark to ensure that you do not overcook your pasta.
- This crock pot spaghetti should be served immediately. The longer the spaghetti noodles cook, the softer they will get as they will continue to absorb the liquid from the sauce.
Nutrition
Calories: 585kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 913mg | Potassium: 563mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 710IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 259mg | Iron: 4mg
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