Description
Comforting crockpot taco spaghetti blends Mexican and Italian flavors into one irresistible family-friendly meal. Cheesy, spicy pasta loaded with ground beef promises a delicious dinner that satisfies hungry crowds with minimal kitchen effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
Flavor Base:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade)
Liquid and Pasta Components:
- 1 can (10 ounces/283 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) tomato sauce
- 3 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
- 8 ounces (226 grams) spaghetti, broken in half
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Optional Toppings:
- chopped cilantro
- diced avocado
- sour cream
- jalapenos
Instructions
- Prepare the ground beef by sizzling it in a skillet over medium heat until thoroughly cooked and no longer showing pink tones. Eliminate excess fatty residue.
- Incorporate finely diced onions and minced garlic into the meat, sautéing until they become translucent and fragrant. Sprinkle taco seasoning throughout the mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Migrate the seasoned meat blend into the slow cooker, creating a robust base for the dish.
- Pour diced tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, and rich beef broth into the crockpot. Gently fold ingredients to create a harmonious sauce.
- Secure the lid and allow the mixture to simmer on low temperature for four hours, or accelerate on high setting for two hours, permitting flavors to intertwine and develop complexity.
- Interrupt dry spaghetti into smaller segments and delicately nestle the pasta into the liquid, ensuring complete submersion.
- Continue cooking on high temperature for approximately 25 minutes, monitoring pasta’s tenderness and sauce consistency.
- Liberally sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese across the surface, stirring until the cheese melts into a luxurious, creamy texture.
- Plate the dish, embellishing with optional garnishes like fresh cilantro, creamy avocado slices, or dollops of tangy sour cream.
Notes
- Customize the meat by using ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that’s just as delicious.
- Break spaghetti into smaller pieces before adding to ensure even cooking and easier serving in the CrockPot.
- Enhance flavor depth by blooming taco seasoning in the skillet with beef before transferring to slow cooker, which intensifies the spice profile.
- Prevent mushy pasta by checking doneness early and avoiding overcooking, as spaghetti can quickly become soft in liquid-based dishes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg