Dreamy Crockpot Taco Spaghetti Recipe for Cozy Family Nights

Spice up your weeknight dinner with a mouthwatering crockpot taco spaghetti that blends the best of Mexican and Italian cuisines.

This hearty dish brings together zesty taco flavors and comforting pasta in one incredible meal.

Tender pasta absorbs the rich, bold seasonings that dance across your taste buds.

Ground beef melds seamlessly with vibrant tomatoes and classic taco spices, creating a one-pot wonder that saves you time and effort.

Cheese lovers will swoon over the melty goodness that blankets every single bite.

The slow cooker does all the hard work, letting you relax while an incredible dinner comes together effortlessly.

Serve this crowd-pleasing recipe, and watch as everyone asks for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5-6 hours

Total Time: 5-6 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredient List For Crockpot Taco Spaghetti

• Ground Beef: Adds hearty flavor and rich texture, perfect for creating a robust meaty foundation.
• Onion: Brings depth and aromatic sweetness, enhancing the overall savoriness of the dish.

• Rotel Tomatoes: Delivers zesty kick with a blend of tomatoes and green chilies, adding moisture and spice.
• Tomato Sauce: Creates smooth, rich base that helps bind ingredients and intensify tomato flavor.
• Chicken Broth: Provides moisture and enables perfect pasta cooking while adding subtle savory undertones.
• Taco Seasoning: Infuses classic Mexican-inspired spices, transforming the entire dish with bold, warm flavors.

• Spaghetti: Serves as the hearty pasta backbone, absorbing all the delicious surrounding flavors.
• Cheddar Cheese: Offers sharp, tangy meltability that creates creamy texture.
• Monterey Jack Cheese: Contributes mild, smooth melting quality that complements the cheddar.
• Cilantro: Provides fresh, bright garnish with herbaceous notes.
• Green Onions: Adds crisp, mild onion flavor and visual appeal.

• Sour Cream: Offers cool, creamy contrast.
• Avocado Slices: Brings buttery richness.
• Salsa: Introduces extra zesty freshness.

Tools Needed For Crockpot Taco Spaghetti

• Crockpot: Essential for slow-cooking and blending flavors together.
• Skillet: Perfect for browning ground beef and sautéing onions.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring beef mixture and preventing sticking.
• Measuring Cups: Helps accurately measure broth and sauce ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping onions and cilantro garnish.
• Cheese Grater: Useful if using block cheese instead of pre-shredded.
• Cutting Board: Provides clean surface for chopping ingredients.

How To Make Crockpot Taco Spaghetti Without Fuss

• Beef Foundation

Brown ground beef with onions in a sizzling skillet, infusing it with rich taco seasoning flavors. Drain away excess fat to keep the dish light and delicious.

• Liquid Magic

Transfer seasoned beef into the crockpot and blend with zesty Rotel tomatoes, smooth tomato sauce, and savory chicken broth. Let these ingredients mingle and create a mouthwatering base.

• Slow Simmer

Allow the mixture to bubble gently, developing deep flavors over several hours. The slow cooking transforms simple ingredients into a comforting meal.

• Pasta Plunge

Break spaghetti into the crockpot, nestling noodles into the saucy landscape. Cook until pasta reaches perfect tenderness, absorbing all the delectable southwestern-inspired essence.

• Cheesy Finale

Sprinkle a generous cascade of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, watching them melt into a creamy, irresistible blanket that ties the entire dish together.

• Tasty Presentation

Garnish with fresh green onions or cilantro for a burst of brightness. Serve immediately, inviting everyone to dive into this hearty, flavor-packed meal.

Tasty Variations For Crockpot Taco Spaghetti

• Flavor Boost Tricks: Add a splash of lime juice at the end for a bright, tangy kick that elevates the entire dish's taste profile.
• Gluten-Free Hack: Swap regular spaghetti with gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles to make this recipe celiac-friendly without losing the delicious texture.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust the heat by choosing mild, medium, or hot taco seasoning. For extra kick, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper during cooking.
• Protein Power Swap: Replace ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version that still delivers incredible flavor.
• Meal Prep Magic: This dish freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers and reheat slowly in the microwave or stovetop, adding a splash of broth to maintain moisture.

Ways To Serve Crockpot Taco Spaghetti Creatively

• Zesty Taco Night Feast: Top this hearty dish with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream for a burst of flavor that takes the meal from good to amazing.
• Nacho Lover's Dream: Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips on top for an added crunch that gives the spaghetti a fun, festive texture and extra Mexican-inspired excitement.
• Fiesta Presentation Hack: Serve in colorful bowls with a side of warm garlic bread or cornbread to soak up the delicious sauce and complete your south-of-the-border inspired meal.
• Fresh and Tangy Finale: Garnish with diced avocado, a squeeze of lime juice, and a handful of chopped green onions to brighten up the rich, cheesy pasta and add a fresh, zesty touch.

Storing Crockpot Taco Spaghetti The Right Way

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftovers in airtight containers within two hours of cooking, keeping the meal fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Smart Freezing Technique: Transfer portions to freezer-safe containers, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen taco spaghetti maintains excellent quality for up to 2 months.
• Reheating Magic Trick: Revive refrigerated portions by adding a splash of chicken broth or water to restore moisture. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prepare ingredients ahead of time by browning beef and chopping onions in advance. Store separately in sealed containers, reducing day-of cooking time and simplifying dinner preparation.

Hearty Crockpot Taco Spaghetti Recipe

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4.9 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 5-6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired Crockpot Taco Spaghetti combines zesty spices with hearty pasta for a quick family dinner. Cheese-covered noodles with ground beef create a comforting meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsps homemade taco seasoning)
• 3 cups chicken broth (or beef broth)
• 8 oz (226 g) spaghetti, broken in half
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or your favorite blend)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 (10 oz/284 g) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies (or plain diced tomatoes)
• 1 (15 oz/425 g) can tomato sauce
• Fresh cilantro or green onions, chopped
• Sour cream
• Avocado
• Salsa

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef and onions in a skillet, draining excess fat. Coat thoroughly with taco seasoning for deep flavor infusion.
2. Crockpot Assembly: Transfer seasoned meat into crockpot. Add Rotel tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth, creating a robust sauce foundation. Mix ingredients comprehensively to ensure uniform flavor distribution.
3. Flavor Development: Cover crockpot and slow cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours. Periodically stir to prevent ingredient stratification and maintain consistent heat circulation.
4. Pasta Integration: Submerge broken spaghetti strands directly into simmering sauce. Gently separate noodles to prevent clustering. Cook on high heat for 20-25 minutes until pasta reaches optimal tenderness, ensuring complete sauce absorption.
5. Cheese Transformation: Gradually incorporate shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Stir continuously until cheese melts completely, creating a silky, uniform consistency throughout the dish.
6. Final Presentation: Garnish with fresh cilantro or green onions. Serve immediately, accompanied by optional toppings like sour cream, avocado slices, or salsa for personalized flavor enhancement.

Notes

• Meat Browning Technique: Ensure ground beef is thoroughly browned and excess fat is drained to prevent a greasy texture and enhance the dish’s overall flavor profile.
• Seasoning Intensity: Generously coat meat with taco seasoning, massaging spices into the beef to guarantee deep, uniform flavor penetration throughout the dish.
• Pasta Cooking Precision: Break spaghetti into smaller segments and submerge completely in liquid, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking in the crockpot.
• Cheese Melting Strategy: Add cheese gradually and stir continuously to create a smooth, creamy consistency without clumping or separating during the final stage of cooking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5-6 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 70mg