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Hearty Crockpot Taco Spaghetti Recipe

Hearty Crockpot Taco Spaghetti Recipe


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4.9 from 18 reviews

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

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.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 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

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