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Home » Recipes » Pasta Recipes

One Pot Taco Spaghetti Recipe

Published: Sep 27, 2021 Last Updated: May 8, 2022 by Marye 1627 words. | About 9 minutes to read this article.

One pot taco spaghetti is ready in less than 30 minutes plus, since it's all cooked and served from the same pan, there's very little clean-up! This creamy, cheesy Tex-Mex dinner is perfect for busy weeknights and picky eaters.
Total time 30 minutes
Jump to Recipe
A plate of taco spaghetti with a text overlay for Pinterest
Close up of tongs picking up a serving of pasta with a text overlay for Pinterest.

The family is bound to love this creamy comfort food! It's may even be your new weeknight favorite!

If you're looking for easy weeknight dinners give this Mexican lasagna a try!

Tongs picking up a serving of taco spaghetti from the dish. Title text overlay.
Dinner tonight: your favorite taco flavors in pasta form!
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love it
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🥄 Cook along!
  • 🥄 Equipment
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 💭 Tips
  • 🎥 Video
  • 📖 Variations
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • Related recipes
  • 📞 The last word
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love it

  • Make it in one pot - less mess and easy clean up! The uncooked spaghetti is just dumped right in with everything else!
  • Creamy and delicious budget friendly casserole!
  • Quick weeknight dinner!

This cheesy taco spaghetti recipe takes just 30 minutes from start to finish and, since it's all done in one pan, it's an easy clean up which gives you more time to relax.

Think of it as a spaghetti casserole you don't have to bake and add it to your easy weeknight meal list!

Sandy says " I made this today and the whole family ate it for lunch! It was supposed to be for dinner...so I guess we'll be eating this twice today!"

🧾 Ingredients

The labeled ingredients for taco spaghetti.
Made with simple ingredients!
  • I like to use lean ground beef in this recipe since we're making it all in one pot. It keeps the finished taco spaghetti casserole from being too greasy.
  • I use thin spaghetti in this recipe because it cooks better in this recipe. As the pasta cooks it soaks up all the flavors from the other ingredients.
  • Add extra cheese if you want to
  • You can use a packet of taco seasoning or the homemade taco seasoning to taste.

🔪 Instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the green recipe card below.

Step by step images showing how to make taco spaghetti.

Step one

  1. Cook beef and onions in a large stockpot or high sided skillet on medoim high heat until the beef is browned and onions are translucent.
  2. Drain fat.

Step two

  1. Add the water, RoTel tomatoes, spaghetti, and taco seasoning.
  2. Bring to a boil and cover.
  3. Turn heat down and simmer for 10 minutes (for thin spaghetti) or longer - make sure the pasta is cooked.

Step three

  1. When the pasta is cooked stir in the cream of chicken soup and about ⅔ of the cheese.
  2. Heat until the cheese is melted into the sauce.
  3. Top with remaining cheese and put the cover back on until the cheese melts.
  4. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and serve.

For casserole

If you'd like to turn this into a casserole:

  1. Spray a casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Make the taco spaghetti as directed but do not put the last layer of cheese on it.
  3. Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
  4. Smooth the top and add the remaining cheese.
  5. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese melts and is bubbly.

🥄 Cook along!

Taco Spaghetti

🥄 Equipment

You'll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.

Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

  • A wok or large stockpot
  • Tongs for serving
  • Baking dish (if you want to make it a baked casserole)

🥫 Storage

Put leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for three or four days.

I don't recommend freezing because it has a tendency to get a weird texture.

Overhead view of a white plate with a serving of taco spaghetti on it.

💭 Tips

Expert Tip: RoTel comes in a couple of different heat levels. If you want a mild dish go with the original or mild!

  • This is a great way to use up leftover taco meat.
  • Most recipes call for you to cook the spaghetti al dente - still quite firm. If you prefer your spaghetti noodles more tender then cook the pasta a little longer. I think it soaks up more flavor that way.
  • If you're concerned about the heat/spiciness be sure to use mild Rotel or even plain diced tomatoes.
  • I like to add an extra 4-ounce can of green chiles.
  • This creamy taco spaghetti is even better the next day.

🎥 Video

Click on the image to watch me make this recipe from start to finish with extra tips! (Video opens in a new tab).

Clickable image: cover of the accompanying YouTube video takes you to the YouTube channel.
click on the image or here to watch the video on YouTube.

📖 Variations

  • Add your favorite taco toppings; a dollop of sour cream, guacamole, black olives, chopped roma tomato...
  • Use cooked chicken instead of ground beef.
  • Substitute chicken broth, beef broth, or V-8 juice for the water.
  • For a yummy taco spaghetti bake: cook pasta first then add everything to a casserole dish sprayed with cooking spray. Top with Mexican cheese blend and bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.
  • Cube some of the cheese and mix it in so you get melty pockets of cheese in each bite.
  • Diced bell pepper is delicious in this. It adds a burst of fresh flavor.
  • Use Mozzarella cheese in place of the Cheddar.
  • Use ground turkey instead of ground beef.
  • Sprinkle the top with chopped green onions and a dollop of sour cream before serving.
  • Stir in red pepper flakes for extra zip.
  • Drain a can of black beans and add them.
  • Add a teaspoon of onion powder for more onion flavor.

🍽️ Serve with...

Wondering what to serve with this Italian Mexican casserole mashup? Just about anything!

  • Salad
  • Buttered broccoli
  • Garlic knots or breadsticks
  • Baguette or garlic bread
  • Vanilla pudding
  • A fruity, robust red wine

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Here are the questions I am most frequently asked about this recipe.

Can I freeze taco spaghetti?

No, the spaghetti noodles get mushy.

How many calories in taco spaghetti?

There are about 455 calories per serving in this recipe.

Can I use other types of pasta in this recipe?

Sure! Just adjust your cooking time and watch that the liquid doesn't all boil away before the pasta is cooked.

Related recipes

  • Southern Chicken Spaghetti with RoTel is a one of our favorite recipes! So creamy but SO easy to make!
  • Tequila Lime Chicken Tacos are perfect for taco night!
  • We love these cheesy taco stuffed shells!
  • Panera chicken tortellini Alfredo is another one pot meal.
  • More casserole recipes for every occasion
  • Tortellini alla Panna
  • One Pan Tortellini Alfredo
  • BBQ Macaroni Salad Texas Style
  • Creamy Chicken Lazone

📞 The last word

The whole family really loves this easy, one-pot meal!

  • I had to add a little more water to get everything cooked properly. Keep an eye on the pot and be ready to add a little more water if necessary.
  • I found that thin spaghetti worked MUCH better than regular spaghetti. It cooks faster and so works well with this "all in one method.
  • I used 90/10 lean ground beef so I didn't have to worry about a lot of fat floating around on my taco spaghetti.
  • Grate your own cheese from a block. I was in a hurry and grabbed a bag of grated cheese the first time and it didn't work as well. The second time I made this great recipe I shredded it from the block and it was perfection!
  • Experiment with the shredded cheese. I liked Pepper Jack, too.

Your whole family is going to love this Mexican flavored pasta dish! It's an easy weeknight dinner that gives you plenty of time to relax.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

A closeup of tongs lifting a serving of taco spaghetti out of the pan.
4.65 from 252 votes

One Pot Taco Spaghetti

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One pot taco spaghetti is ready in less than 30 minutes plus, since it's all cooked and served from the same pan, there's very little clean-up! This creamy, cheesy Tex-Mex dinner is perfect for busy weeknights and picky eaters.
Course Main Dish (Quick and Easy)
Cuisine American - Southwest
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings:6
Calories:455
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • wok/stir fry pan

Ingredients

  • 1-½ pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 cup onions, diced
  • 3 cups water, or chicken broth
  • 10 ounces Ro*Tel tomatoes, don't drain
  • 8 ounces spaghetti, thin spaghetti works better than regular spaghetti
  • 1 ounce taco seasoning
  • 10.75 ounce cream of chicken soup, don't dilute
  • 8 ounces Cheddar cheese, shredded; divided use (or use Mexican cheese blend)
  • ½ cup cilantro, chopped

Instructions

Step one

  • Saute the ground beef and onions in a skillet or large stockpot until the beef is browned and onions are translucent.
  • Drain excess fat if there is any

Step two

  • Add the water, RoTel, uncooked spaghetti, and taco seasoning mix.
  • Bring to a boil and cover.
  • Turn heat down and simmer for 10 minutes (for thin spaghetti) or longer - make sure the pasta is cooked.

Step three

  • When the pasta is cooked stir in the cream of chicken soup and about ⅔ of the shredded Cheddar cheese.
  • Heat until the cheese is melted into the sauce.
  • Top with remaining cheese and put the cover back on until the cheese melts.
  • Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

For casserole

  • Spray a casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Make the taco spaghetti as directed but do not put the last layer of cheese on it.
  • Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
  • Smooth the top and add the remaining cheese.
  • Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese melts and is bubbly.

Notes

Expert Tip: RoTel comes in a couple of different heat levels. If you want a mild dish go with the original or the new mild!
  • This is a great way to use up leftover taco meat.
  • Most recipes call for you to cook the spaghetti al dente - still quite firm. If you prefer your spaghetti noodles more tender then cook the pasta a little longer. I like it best this way because it soaks up more sauce.
  • This creamy taco spaghetti is even better the next day.
  • I had to add a little more water to get everything cooked properly. Keep an eye on the pot and be ready to add a little more water if necessary.
  • I found that thin spaghetti worked MUCH better than regular spaghetti. It cooks faster and so works well with this "all in one method.
  • I used 90/10 lean ground beef so I didn't have to worry about a lot of fat floating around on my taco spaghetti.
  • Grate your own cheese from a block. I was in a hurry and grabbed a bag of grated cheese the first time and it didn't work as well. The second time I made this great recipe I shredded it from the block and it was perfection!

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories: 455kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 1070mg | Potassium: 442mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1107IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 320mg | Iron: 3mg

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      First published April 16, 2021. Last updated September 27, 2021 to add video.

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      About Marye

      With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Dottie

        May 10, 2022 at 9:12 am

        Everything I have made so far has been delicious. Quick question tho. You state 6 servings, then calories. Is the calories amount for 1 serving, or am I suppose to divide the 6 to get the calorie count for 1 serving? Calorie conscience person.

        Reply
        • Marye

          May 10, 2022 at 3:30 pm

          The calorie count is for one serving... so if there are 6 servings it's 1/6 of the recipe.

      2. Jacqueline Watson

        April 12, 2022 at 3:32 pm

        So do you add any spaghetti sauce at all

        Reply
        • Marye

          April 15, 2022 at 10:16 am

          No.

      3. Vicki

        March 18, 2022 at 1:06 pm

        5 stars
        I made this and it was wonderful thanks for the new recipe! My dog even ate a bowl!

        Reply
      4. Tonda

        March 15, 2022 at 6:03 pm

        This would be a great pot luck meal, could you make this in a crockpot?

        Reply
        • Marye

          March 16, 2022 at 3:16 pm

          You probably could make it in a crockpot - I just don't like the texture of crockpot pasta.

      5. Susan Prather

        August 27, 2021 at 1:35 pm

        How much is a serving? A cup?

        Reply
        • Marye

          August 27, 2021 at 2:27 pm

          1/6th of the recipe... it's quite generous. more like 2 cups.

      6. Susan

        June 21, 2021 at 10:26 pm

        I was concerned about the fat and sodium content of the recipe, so I made several substitutions: the lower sodium versions of Rotel and taco seasoning, the lower sodium and fat version of cream of chicken soup, and reduced fat '"'fiesta" cheese. I also added a small can of black olives, and a can of no salt added black beans, and rinsed both before use. I think the beans helped because I only had 1 lb of ground beef available. And I used whole wheat spaghetti instead of white. My apologies to the author for all of the substitutions, but I think it came out pretty good anyway.

        Reply
        • Marye

          June 22, 2021 at 12:02 pm

          Those sound like great ideas Susan! No apologies needed!

      7. Sandy

        June 08, 2021 at 10:01 am

        5 stars
        I made this today and the whole family ate it for lunch! It was supposed to be for dinner...so I guess we'll be eating this twice today!

        Reply
      8. Rebecca Bushey

        April 24, 2021 at 8:39 pm

        Could this be made in an Instant Pot?

        Reply
        • Marye

          April 25, 2021 at 6:23 pm

          Rebecca I am sorry - I've never used one so I can't answer that.

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