Baked spaghetti pasta, taco flavored ground beef, a diced tomato and chili sauce and gooey layers of Mexican cheese brought together to create this delicious family pleasing TACO SPAGHETTI BAKE. All the flavors of a taco baked into a pasta casserole dish!
This isn't the prettiest dish in the world, but it sure has the family begging for me to make it over and over again. So simple and easy to make. My kind of meal!
Did your kids go through the ICarly phase of wanting Spaghetti Taco's? Well this isn't exactly that version, but to this day we laugh over the fact that they wanted me to make taco shells when I made spaghetti. This one is a delicious compromise.
I sure miss the days of my kids being little. The seasons in life sure are a changing. And I am slowly getting adjusted. Sometimes kicking and screaming and others (shhh don't tell the kids) I am growing to like this phase a bit!
My daughter Bri and some of her friends were home from college. Their days were filled with the beach, the mall, and hanging by the pool. I was still working and needed a conveniently quick meal. Taco Spaghetti Bake is a go to on nights like that. It literally comes together in minutes and baked until the cheese melts and get's all delicious. Throw together a salad and garlic bread. Dinner is done in under 4o minutes.
What you need for Taco Spaghetti Bake
- Spaghetti Pasta
- Ground Beef
- Onion
- Garlic
- Taco Seasoning
- 2 cans of Rotel
- Butter
- Mexican or Taco Blend Shredded Cheese
How to make Taco Spaghetti Casserole
Step 1. Cook spaghetti pasta in salted water according to package instructions to al dente. Then drain in colander.
Step 2. Meanwhile, in a skillet saute onion and garlic until begins to become translucent.
Then add ground beef and season with salt (garlic salt) to taste. Add in taco seasoning and stir well.
Pour in two cans of Rotel.
TIP: To adjust the HEAT - Change up the type of Rotel you use. They have mild, original and hot. We like original at my house. I once bought HOT by mistake. Our mouths were on fire lol!
Step 3. Pour drained pasta into meat sauce, add in butter and combine.
Tip: For a creamier texture add ½ to 1 cup of cream to the pasta and it adds an extra creamy richness! Oh so delicious!!
Step 4. Spray 9 x 13 casserole dish. Add in 1 /2 of spaghetti mixture top with half of cheese, top with rest of spaghetti mixture and then top with remaining cheese.
Step 5. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted.
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! We were starving and just dove right in!
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Taco Spaghetti Bake
Ingredients
- 1 lb spaghetti, cooked al dente
- 1 to 1 ½ lb lean ground beef
- ⅓ cup onions, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 to 3 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 2 cans Rotel diced tomatoes and chilis, (10 ounce cans)
- 2 tablespoon butter
- salt to taste
- 3 to 4 cups Mexican or taco blend cheese, shredded, (You can use less if desired)
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti pasta in salted water according to package instructions to al dente. Then drain in colander.
- Meanwhile, in a skillet saute onion and garlic until begins to become translucent (1 to 2 minutes). Then add ground beef, season with salt (or garlic salt) to taste. Add in taco seasoning and stir well. Pour in two cans of Rotel. Mix.
- Pour drained pasta into meat sauce, add in butter and combine.
- Spray 9 x 13 casserole dish. Add in 1 /2 of spaghetti mixture top with half of cheese, top with rest of spaghetti mixture and then top with remaining cheese.
- Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Nutrition
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Diane Barker says
This was so delicious.
Nikki Lee says
Thank you so much, Diane! It definitely is one of my family's favorites!
BP says
I made this with a package of whole wheat thin spaghetti cooked to package directions and a whole package of taco seasoning. We like Ortega. I used about a third of a cup of Ortega Mild Taco Sauce too. I did drain the grease off the ground beef before adding onions & garlic to pan. I did not add any salt to spaghetti or meat. Topped servings with sour cream. We both liked it. Adding it to my rotation! Thanks!
Nikki Lee says
I am glad you enjoyed and it will makes its way one you meal rotation! 🙂
Pat Stewart says
Awesome. My son and I love it. Quick and easy. Thanks for the recipe.
Nikki Lee says
You are so welcome! Thank you!
Aida says
I made this tonight for my family get together and everyone loved it, even my sister who will eat Mexican but not her first choice. She liked it. I did omit tomatoes because she is not a fan but added sour cream to keep rich n creamy. Delush thank you for sharing
Aida
Nikki - Soulfully Made says
Thank you Aida! I am so glad your family enjoyed it!
Deb Leonard says
I have made several different recipes of this dish and THIS is the best one! The butter adds a touch of richness and using 2 cans of tomatoes keeps it from drying out - even when reheating it for leftovers.
Nikki - Soulfully Made says
Thank you so much Deb! It's one my family loves so I am thrilled you enjoyed it too!
caroline r says
Easy to make ...added a tbsp of taco seasoning.....then with the left overs we added tomato sauce and garlic...it is definitely one I'll make again.... thank you for sharing
denise says
very good plus quick and easy to prepare
[email protected] says
Thank you Denise! I am so thrilled you enjoyed it! We love it at our house!
Yirabeth says
I'd like to make this, but what size cans of Rotel? My local store (sorry, I'm pretty rural here) only had 28oz cans and I'm not sure if they come smaller.
[email protected] says
I use the 10 ounce cans. You can just measure out of your larger can with a measuring cup. I hope you enjoy!
Yirabeth says
Thank you Nikki 🙂
[email protected] says
You are so welcome! <3
Mary says
One word - YUM!! Thanks so much for the delicious share at Weekend Potluck, Nikki!
Hope to see you at the party on Friday - have a great week!
[email protected] says
Thank you so much Mary! I enjoy Weekend Potluck each week! So much yumminess! See you again on Friday! Have a wonderful week!
Mar says
Instructions say add taco seasoning but ingredients don't mention it, how am much.
[email protected] says
2 to 3 tablespoons to taste (I use 3). Sorry about that!
Sylvia Myers says
How much butter??
[email protected] says
Oops - I use 2 tablespoons! I get that fixed. I have also made it without butter it is good too.