Taco Spaghetti Bake

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Taco Spaghetti Bake comes together so easily to create this super delicious dinner-time hit! Noodles, taco-flavored ground beef, a diced tomato chili sauce, and gooey layers of Mexican cheese make up this popular Mexican spaghetti pasta dish.

If you love Mexican Recipes like baked ground beef tacos, green chili chicken enchiladas, or white chicken chili and also love savory pasta dishes like baked spaghetti or lasagna you are in for a treat with this meal!

All the flavors of a taco are baked into this simple spaghetti casserole everyone in the family will love!

Mexican Spaghetti Pasta plated and topped with sour cream, tomatoes, tortilla strips, and cilantro.

Why you’ll love this Mexican Spaghetti Recipe!

Simple Recipe: Combine easy ingredients and dinner is on the table in under 45 minutes.
Adaptable Recipe: Adjust the spice level easily for your family by changing out the spices and heat level of tomatoes and green chilies.
Perfect Potluck Meal: Taco Pasta Casserole is always a hit and perfect to take along to a potluck or family event. It's also great for sending to a friend that needs a meal.

Getting dinner on the table easily and quickly is important on busy weeknights. And this no-frills casserole packs all the flavor in little time and with little effort.

And that sure doesn't mean it has to be boring. I love to take classic meals and change them up a bit, like with my Mexican Stuffed Shells. Sure you can serve traditional tacos (and there is so much to love about tacos, right!), but why not try something new and a little different.

This Spaghetti Taco Bake is just that. It's made with simple ingredients that are easy to find and keep on hand so you can have taco pasta for your weeknight win!

Ingredients

Spaghetti Noodles: Cook pasta noodles to al dente as package instructions indicate. I like to add a little salt while cooking.
Lean Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef so that it isn't too greasy.
Onion & Garlic: The aromatic veggies make this dish taste amazing.
Taco Seasoning: Use your favorite or even homemade. You can adjust the spice level here by using a mild or keeping it original.
Sour Cream: A little tang and creamy factor.
Heavy Cream: This adds a super creamy texture to the dish.
Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles: Rotel (original) is a well know brand, but you can use your favorite store brand as well. Rotel does carry different spice levels - mild, original, and hot. And hot is really hot! I made the mistake once and our mouths were on fire!
Mexican, Taco Blend, or Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Cheese tops off this dish with its gooey goodness.

How to Make Taco Spaghetti Casserole

Step 1 | Boil and Drain Pasta

Cook spaghetti pasta in salted water according to package instructions to al dente. Then drain in a colander.

Cooked Spaghetti Noodles in a green colander.

Step 2 | Cook Ground Beef

Meanwhile, in a skillet add ground beef, onion, and garlic and cook until ground beef is browned and cooked through. If there is excess grease drain on paper towels.

Cooked ground beef, onions, and garlic in a black skillet.

Step 3 | Add Ingredients and Stir

Then add taco seasoning, sour cream, heavy cream, Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies) to the ground beef and stir together until mixed.

Collage images: adding in ingredients to ground beef and then stirring together.

Step 4 | Add Cheese and Spaghetti Noodles

Next, add in half of the shredded cheese and pour drained pasta into meat sauce, add stir to combine.

Collage images: adding in half of shredded cheese to ground beef mixture and then drained pasta; stirring together.

Step 5 | Pour Spaghetti Taco Mixture in Casserole Dish and Top with Remaining Cheese

Spray 9 x 13 casserole dish with cooking spray. Add in the spaghetti mixture and then top with remaining cheese.

2 Collage images: spaghetti taco mixture placed in casserole dish then topped with remaining shredded cheese ready to bake.

Step 5 | Bake and enjoy!

Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Fresh out of the oven taco spaghetti bake topped with fresh chopped cilantro.

Tips

When draining the ground beef leave a small amount of the drippings (1 to 2 tablespoons) for flavor and this will also keep the pasta from being dry.
To adjust the HEAT - Change up the type of Rotel you use. They have mild, original, and hot. If you like no spice to very little just use diced tomatoes.
Just keep in mind that taco seasoning packets vary in spice levels. Use what you are used to and like.
Grating your own cheese gives you the creamiest results. I have found Sargento Brand - Thick Cut Off the Block (not sponsored - I just love it) does a great job at melting too.
Let the taco spaghetti set in pan about 10 minutes to set up before serving.

Variations and Substitutions:

Want it even saucier? Add in a can of tomato sauce and extra heavy cream.
Love extra spice? Change up the Rotel or taco seasoning. You can also add in more diced chilies or even jalapenos.
Cheesier is your thing! Add a block of Velveeta to the mixture and it will be extra cheesy and creamy.
If the kiddos in the house are really young and don't want this to have much spice - just use diced tomatoes and a mild taco seasoning. The recipe isn't really very hot as is just has a little kick.

Taco spaghetti bake served on a rustic gray plate with a fork full of a bite ready to eat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make taco spaghetti without baking?

Yes, absolutely. Just make ass directed, but rather than pouring into a casserole dish, just leave it in the skillet. Top with cheese and cover with a lid until cheese melts and then serve. Want it even saucier add in a can of tomato sauce or even a jar of your favorite marinara sauce.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes. Be sure to use gluten-free pasta and taco seasoning. Also, shred your own cheese to insure it is not tossed with ingredients containing gluten.

Can I make this with ground chicken, turkey, or a plant-based ground meat substitute?

Absolutely. You may want to add a little olive oil as you cook the leaner meats or meat substitutes.

Can I use a different pasta?

Sure! Go ahead a try your favorite pasta, any kind will work. Different-sized pasta creates a different volume though, so just keep that in mind. A smaller pasta may give you more sauce. Just experiment and have fun with it.

Taco spaghetti bake with a slic remove in a white casserole dish.

Storage and Reheating

Make Prep Quicker:

For an even quicker cooking time, ground beef can be cooked ahead of time. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to a month.

Storage:

Cover with foil or plastic wrap or place in an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

Freeze:

Taco Spaghetti Bake will freeze for 2 to 3 months when stored in a freezer-safe container, just cover with lid or plastic wrap and foil or place in a freezer zip bag.

Remove the casserole from the freezer and thaw in refrigerator overnight.

Reheat:

To reheat individual servings, place desired amount on a microwave-safe dish and reheat. Start with 1 minute and stir. Then add 30-second intervals until heated to your liking.

You can also reheat it on the stovetop. Add a little extra cream or butter to revive it a little if desired.

What to Serve with Taco Pasta Casserole

This dish is delicious with a simple salad, corn on the cob buttered and sprinkled with tajin, and cheesy green chile bread.

Y'all go ahead and dig on in! It's really good just like it is. Or you may want to add a little more taco flavor, you can add a dollop of sour cream, some cilantro, or any taco topping you enjoy!

Plated Taco Spaghetti Bake topped with fresh cilantro set on a wooden table with casserole dish in the background.

More Mexican Dishes to Try:

Other Casserole Recipes you May Enjoy:

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Taco Spaghetti Bake

Why you’ll love this Mexican Spaghetti Recipe!

Ingredients