Taco Spaghetti

Name: Taco Spaghetti with Ground Beef & Cheese Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 large onion, diced; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 lb ground beef; 1/2 lb spaghetti; 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles; 1 packet taco seasoning; 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk; 3 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese; Extra shredded cheese, for topping; Garlic bread, for serving

Taco Spaghetti is a hybrid dish that merges the flavors of taco seasoning and diced tomatoes with green chiles into a creamy cheese sauce coating spaghetti and seasoned ground beef. It delivers restaurant-style comfort in a quick, family-friendly format.

🌍American 🏷️Taco spaghetti 🏷️Pasta 🏷️Ground beef 🏷️Cheesy Creamy

🏷️

🏷️Tex-mex

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TikTok

Total

25 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$20–$33

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

-0:00

TikTok

Ingredients

1/2 large onion, diced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb ground beef
1/2 lb spaghetti
1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 packet taco seasoning
1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
3 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
Extra shredded cheese, for toppingoptional
Garlic bread, for servingoptional

10 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Dice half of a large onion.
2
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil, the diced onion, and ground beef.
3
While the beef is cooking, bring a separate pot of water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package directions.
4
Continue to cook the beef and onions, breaking up the meat, until the beef is fully browned. Drain off any excess fat.
5
Add the can of diced tomatoes with green chiles and the packet of taco seasoning to the skillet. Stir to combine.
6
Pour in the can of evaporated milk, stir, and bring the mixture to a simmer.
7
Once simmering, add the shredded cheese and stir continuously until it's completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
8
Drain the cooked spaghetti and add it to the skillet with the sauce.
9
Toss the spaghetti and sauce together until the pasta is fully coated.
10
Top with a little extra cheese, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it sit for a minute for the cheese to melt.
11
Serve hot, with garlic bread on the side if desired.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown ground beef thoroughly and drain excess fat before adding taco seasoning to avoid a greasy sauce.
Warm evaporated milk gently before stirring in shredded cheese to prevent clumping and ensure a silky sauce.
Taste and adjust seasoning after the taco packet is mixed in—some brands vary in saltiness.
Toss hot pasta with the meat mixture before adding the cheese sauce to prevent clumping.

Substitutions

Diced tomatoes with green chiles → diced tomatoes + 1 tbsp diced jalapeño or canned green chiles (adjusts heat level)
Evaporated milk → heavy cream or half-and-half (sauce will be richer but thinner; use slightly less)
Spaghetti → penne, rotini, or rigatoni (shapes hold sauce differently but work well)
Taco seasoning packet → 2 tsp chili powder + 1 tsp cumin + 1/2 tsp paprika + 1/2 tsp garlic powder (control sodium)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of milk to restore sauce consistency, or in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes covered.

Common Questions

Can I make Taco Spaghetti ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble the dish, cover, and refrigerate up to 2 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes, adding a splash of milk if the sauce has thickened.