Name: Taco Spaghetti Skillet Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 pound ground beef; ¼ cup yellow onions, chopped; ¼ cup taco seasoning or 1 packet; 10 oz. can Rotel tomatoes (do NOT drain); 8 oz. spaghetti noodles, uncooked; 3 cups water; 4 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded; ½ cup chopped cilantro

There's something incredibly comforting about a one-pan dinner that brings bold flavors and a touch of fun to your table. This Taco Spaghetti Skillet Recipe is exactly that—a deliciously easy meal that combines the zest of taco spices with the familiar comfort of spaghetti. It's a total crowd-pleaser and perfect for busy weeknights when you want something flavorful without fuss.

A large silver pan is filled with a mix of long, thin yellow spaghetti noodles and browned ground meat pieces. Scattered throughout are small, bright red tomato chunks and melted orange-yellow cheese strands that lightly cover the dish. Fresh green herb leaves are spread on top, adding a touch of color. In the background, there is a white marbled surface with a white cutting board holding a pile of shredded yellow cheese and some fresh green herbs. A woman's hand is reaching toward the pan from the right side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Taco Spaghetti Skillet Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Taco Spaghetti Skillet Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Taco Spaghetti Skillet Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first stumbled on this taco-spaghetti combo on a hectic weeknight and instantly knew I’d found a keeper. It’s one of those recipes that’s quick, requires minimal cleanup, and still feels special enough to serve anytime. Plus, it packs all those homey taco flavors into one easy skillet dish.

One-Pot Magic: You cook everything in a single skillet—less mess, more flavor melding together beautifully.
Bold, Tex-Mex Flavors: The taco seasoning and Rotel tomatoes give a flavorful punch that makes your taste buds sing.
Family Friendly: This dish bridges the gap between the taco lovers and pasta fans at the dinner table.
Customizable: Easily tailored with your favorite taco toppings and cheese for a personal touch every time.

A close-up view of a fork lifting a twisted bunch of yellowish spaghetti mixed with browned ground meat and small red tomato pieces, with a single green cilantro leaf on top. The background shows blurred shredded cheese and a white marbled surface. The texture of the pasta is smooth and mixed with a light sauce, and the meat appears crumbly and moist, spread evenly throughout the noodles. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Taco Spaghetti Skillet Recipe come together to create a hearty, flavorful meal with minimal effort. The key is using good-quality base components that let the taco twist shine through.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a mound of fresh raw lean ground beef, a small white bowl filled with finely chopped yellow onions, a small white bowl of warm red and orange diced Rotel tomatoes with juice, uncooked pale yellow spaghetti noodles arranged neatly, a small white bowl of bright orange shredded cheddar cheese, a small white bowl of fresh green chopped cilantro, and two smooth brown eggs placed whole and uncracked, all ingredients arranged symmetrically in perfect balance on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Olive oil: The foundation for browning the meat evenly without sticking, adding subtle richness.
Ground beef: Preferably lean to keep things from getting greasy, but still juicy and flavorful.
Yellow onions: They soften beautifully, lending sweetness and depth to the dish.
Taco seasoning: The star player, bringing those classic spices that pack a bold punch.
Rotel tomatoes: They add vibrant color plus a little kick, and the juice helps cook the pasta.
Spaghetti noodles: Classic spaghetti works well here; uncooked noodles cook right in the skillet for ease.
Water: Needed for the pasta to cook and to soak up all those taco flavors.
Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar melts into the pasta creating a luscious, cheesy texture and flavor.
Cilantro: Fresh cilantro added at the end gives a bright, herbal finish to balance the richness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this Taco Spaghetti Skillet Recipe depending on what I have on hand or how spicy I'm feeling. It's super forgiving and ready to be personalized.

Variation: Sometimes I swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken to lighten it up, and it still tastes fantastic.
Spicy Kick: I often add a splash of hot sauce or diced jalapeños to the sauce for an extra layer of heat my family enjoys.
Vegetarian Option: Using cooked lentils or crumbled tofu instead of beef works great here for a meatless spin.
Cheese Blend: Mixing in Mexican blend cheese or pepper jack adds fun variations to the melty, cheesy finish.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Taco Spaghetti Skillet Recipe

Step 1: Sizzle that Beef and Onions

Heat your olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Toss in the ground beef and chopped yellow onion. I like to break the beef apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks, stirring occasionally, until there’s no pink left and the onions turn tender and translucent. It’s important to brown the beef well—it brings out rich flavor that sets the whole dish apart.

Step 2: Add the Taco Twist and Pasta

Sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over the beef and onions, stirring it in so every bit gets coated. Pour in the entire can of Rotel tomatoes with the juice; don’t drain it—that liquid helps cook the pasta and infuses flavor. Now add your uncooked spaghetti noodles and pour in the water. Give everything a gentle stir to distribute the noodles evenly in the skillet.

Step 3: Simmer to Spaghetti Perfection

Turn up the heat and bring it all to a boil. Once bubbling, reduce the heat to low and cover with a lid. Let this simmer gently for about 15 minutes. It’s the moment where the pasta soaks up all that spicy, tomatoey goodness. Keep an eye to make sure it’s not sticking to the pan, stirring gently once or twice to prevent clumping.

Step 4: Melt the Cheese and Finish Strong

Remove the pan from heat. Sprinkle half of your shredded cheddar cheese over the cooked spaghetti and stir it through to get that creamy, melty texture right throughout. Then top the entire skillet with the remaining cheese and fresh cilantro for a burst of color and flavor.

Top Tip

From my experience, the magic of this Taco Spaghetti Skillet Recipe really comes down to a few key steps that make the flavors pop and the texture just right.

Brown the Meat Thoroughly: Don’t rush this—browning creates delicious caramelized bits that take the flavor to the next level.
Don’t Drain Tomatoes: The juice is essential to cook the pasta and infuse the dish with bright tomato and chili flavor.
Watch the Simmer: Keep the heat low to avoid sticking and stir gently during simmering for evenly cooked pasta.
Cheese Mix: Adding cheese in two stages—stirred in and then sprinkled on top—gives you creamy melty pasta and a bubbly cheese topping.

How to Serve Taco Spaghetti Skillet Recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle extra fresh cilantro on top and sometimes dollop with sour cream or even some diced fresh tomato for a bright contrast. A squeeze of lime juice can also freshen up the whole skillet right before serving.

Side Dishes

We like pairing this taco spaghetti skillet with simple sides like a crisp green salad or roasted corn. Crunchy tortilla chips on the side also add a nice texture contrast and keep the taco vibe going strong.

Creative Ways to Present

For family gatherings, I’ve spooned this into individual mini cast iron skillets and topped each with cheese and cilantro, then popped them under the broiler until bubbly and golden. It’s a fun way to dress up a casual meal and impress guests without extra fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers go straight into an airtight container in the fridge and last about 3-4 days. I’ve found that the flavors deepen overnight—the perfect next-day lunch or quick dinner.

Freezing

This skillet freezes well, though I recommend leaving off the fresh cilantro and adding it fresh after reheating. Freeze portions in airtight containers and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

I reheat the skillet leftovers gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if it looks dry, stirring often. You can also microwave individual portions covered loosely with a damp paper towel for even warming.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Taco Spaghetti Skillet Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just swap out the regular spaghetti noodles with your favorite gluten-free pasta. Be sure to check that your taco seasoning and other ingredients are gluten-free as well.

What can I use instead of ground beef?

Ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat substitutes work wonderfully. For a vegetarian version, cooked lentils or crumbled tofu are great alternatives that soak up all the flavors.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can prep the entire dish and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before cooking. Alternatively, cook it fully and reheat gently when ready to serve. Just keep fresh toppings like cilantro separate until serving.

How spicy is this dish and can I adjust the heat?

The heat level is moderate, balanced by the cheese and tomatoes. You can easily adjust by using mild or hot taco seasoning and adding jalapeños, hot sauce, or extra chili flakes if you want more spice.

Final Thoughts

This Taco Spaghetti Skillet Recipe is one of those effortless but impressive dishes that always makes me smile when it hits the table. It’s playful enough to bring a bit of taco night fun but comforting like your favorite pasta dinner. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do — it’s a flavorful hug in a skillet that’s perfect for sharing with family or friends any night of the week.