Description
Hearty crockpot taco spaghetti brings Mexican and Italian cuisines together in one delicious comfort meal. Spicy ground beef, melted cheese, and zesty tomato sauce create a crowd-pleasing dinner that will satisfy your entire family’s appetite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Liquid and Tomato Ingredients:
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) beef broth
- 1 can (10 ounces/284 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) salsa
Pasta and Cheese:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) spaghetti, broken in half
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
Optional Toppings:
- sour cream
- cilantro
- jalapenos
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high flame and thoroughly cook ground beef until no pink remains, eliminating accumulated fat.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning into the browned meat, ensuring uniform coating and deep flavor penetration.
- Transfer seasoned beef into slow cooker, creating a robust protein base for the dish.
- Pour beef broth directly over the meat, establishing a moisture-rich cooking environment.
- Add diced tomatoes and salsa, which will infuse the mixture with tangy, vibrant notes and additional liquid.
- Gently nestle uncooked spaghetti into the liquid mixture, allowing strands to become partially submerged.
- Cover crockpot and set to low temperature, allowing ingredients to meld and pasta to absorb surrounding flavors.
- After approximately two hours, carefully stir contents to prevent pasta from clumping and ensure even cooking.
- When spaghetti reaches al dente consistency, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top.
- Let cheese melt completely, creating a creamy, stringy texture throughout the dish.
- Garnish with optional toppings like fresh cilantro, cool sour cream, or zesty sliced jalapeños for personalized flair.
Notes
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of the dish.
- Use whole wheat spaghetti for added fiber and nutritional boost, making the meal more wholesome.
- Consider substituting ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for lighter protein options that work perfectly with the spicy taco flavors.
- Reduce sodium by choosing low-sodium taco seasoning and beef broth, which helps control salt intake without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg