Description
A one‑pot fusion of taco flavors and spaghetti — seasoned ground beef in a tomato‑chili sauce with pasta cooked right in, finished with melted cheese and cilantro.
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ½ large sweet onion, diced
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- 1 (1‑ounce) packet taco seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon minced roasted garlic
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 (15‑ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 (4‑ounce) can green chilis, drained
- 8 ounces uncooked spaghetti noodles (half of a 16‑oz box)
- 2 cups Mexican blend shredded cheese
- Chopped cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large heavy‑bottom pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté the diced onion until translucent.
- Add the ground beef, crumble it, and cook for 4–5 minutes until browned; drain excess grease if needed.
- Stir in taco seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and tomato paste, coating the meat well.
- Pour in beef broth, diced tomatoes, and green chilis; stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add the spaghetti (you may break it in half), pressing it down into the liquid so it's submerged.
- Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce has slightly reduced, about 10 minutes (add more broth if needed).
- Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese until melted and creamy.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot.
Notes
- Leftovers: Cool before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze in a labelled freezer‑safe container for up to 3 months; thaw before reheating.
- Reheating (stovetop): Warm gently in a skillet over medium heat, stirring until heated through.
- Reheating (microwave): Heat individual portions for about 3 minutes on high, then let stand 1 minute before eating.
- Variations: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. Swap in a can of Rotel (tomatoes + peppers) instead of separate diced tomatoes + chilis. You can also use penne, rotini, or your favorite pasta instead of spaghetti.
