Description
Creamy, cheesy taco spaghetti bake brings Mexican and Italian cuisines together in one comforting dish. Bold spices and melted cheese create a crowd-pleasing dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef
Pasta and Base:
- 1 box (8 ounces / 227 grams) spaghetti pasta
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of chicken soup
Cheese and Seasonings:
- 1 package (8 ounces / 227 grams) cubed velveeta cheese
- 1.5 cups (170 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 packet (1 ounce / 28 grams) taco seasoning
- 1 can (10 ounces / 283 grams) undrained diced tomatoes and green chilies
- 2/3 cup (158 milliliters) water
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350ºF, preparing a baking dish for the upcoming culinary creation.
- Boil spaghetti in salted water until perfectly tender, then thoroughly drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, carefully eliminating any excess grease.
- Stir taco seasoning into the beef, followed by water, creating a robust flavor base.
- Incorporate cream of chicken soup, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and cubed Velveeta cheese into the skillet, stirring until the cheese melts completely and ingredients blend seamlessly.
- Gently fold the cooked spaghetti into the meat mixture, ensuring each strand is evenly coated with the zesty sauce.
- Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly and topping with a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for the cheese to transform into a golden, bubbling crust and the edges to turn crisp and appetizing.
- Remove from oven and let the dish rest for a few minutes, allowing flavors to settle before garnishing with optional toppings like chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or a dollop of sour cream.
Notes
- Select lean ground beef to reduce overall fat content and create a healthier dish.
- Rinse pasta after cooking to prevent clumping and ensure even sauce distribution.
- Consider using low-sodium taco seasoning for those watching salt intake.
- Experiment with alternative cheese options like pepper jack for added spice or Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg