Description
Crockpot taco spaghetti blends Mexican and Italian cuisines into one mouthwatering comfort dish that promises delicious simplicity. Hearty pasta mingles with zesty ground beef and melted cheese, creating a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
- 1 pound dried spaghetti noodles
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Liquid and Flavor Ingredients:
- 2 cups beef broth
- 3 cups water
- 20 ounces (2 10-ounce cans) Rotel Original diced tomatoes with green chilis
- 1 ounce packet of taco seasoning
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3/4 cups diced yellow onion
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare ground beef by sautéing with onions in a skillet over medium-high heat until meat is thoroughly browned and onions become translucent, ensuring excess fat is fully drained.
- Transfer seasoned beef mixture into the crockpot, creating a flavorful base for the dish.
- Add taco seasoning to intensify the Mexican-inspired flavor profile of the meal.
- Pour Rotel diced tomatoes into the crockpot, which will contribute moisture and tangy complexity to the recipe.
- Sprinkle most of the fresh cilantro into the mixture, reserving a small portion for garnishing at the end.
- Carefully break spaghetti noodles and distribute them evenly throughout the crockpot, ensuring they’re completely submerged in liquid.
- Pour beef broth and water into the crockpot, creating the perfect cooking environment for the pasta.
- Cover the crockpot and set to HIGH temperature, allowing the ingredients to meld together for approximately 2 hours, or alternatively use LOW setting for 3½-4 hours.
- Monitor the cooking process around 1½ hours to prevent pasta from becoming overly soft or mushy.
- Once cooking is complete, gently stir the spaghetti to ensure uniform distribution of ingredients.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top, allowing it to melt into the warm dish.
- Garnish with remaining fresh cilantro for a vibrant finishing touch.
- Serve directly from the crockpot while hot, creating a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal.
Notes
- Prevent Mushy Pasta by checking the spaghetti early and stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly and stop overcooking.
- Customize Spice Levels by adjusting the taco seasoning quantity or choosing mild/hot varieties to match personal heat preferences.
- Create Gluten-Free Version by substituting regular spaghetti with gluten-free pasta noodles without changing other recipe ingredients.
- Enhance Flavor Depth by using homemade taco seasoning or adding a splash of lime juice just before serving for extra brightness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg