Creamy Taco Spaghetti is an easy, cheesy dinner that combines two family favorites: spaghetti and tacos! It is so wonderfully creamy and cheesy and full of Tex-Mex flavor and it’s an especially good weeknight dinner because it comes together in about 30 minutes and uses simple, budget-friendly ingredients.

Creamy Taco Spaghetti

Top with chopped fresh cilantro and pickled jalalpenos and you have a plate full of comfort food.

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A packet of taco seasoning is a huge short-cut for this recipe. It adds pretty much all the flavor you need. I add just a tablespoon of tomato paste because a little tomato flavor is a must for me when it comes to pasta. I like to buy the tomato paste in a tube. It will keep in the refrigerator for weeks once it is opened and is great for when you need just a little tomato paste for a recipe.

The creaminess comes from a can of condensed cream of chicken soup and some Velveeta cheese. To up the cheese flavor, there’s also 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese, either Mexican cheese blend or cheddar cheese, depending on your preference. Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack would work well too.

If you love creamy, cheesy pasta recipes, be sure to try my Spicy Chicken Spaghetti next.

How To Make Creamy Taco Pasta

(More detailed instructions and video in recipe card below.)

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions and drain.
    Cooking the pasta.
  2. Cook and crumble ground beef and then drain off fat.
    Browned and crumbled ground beef.
  3. Sprinkle taco seasoning over ground beef and add water. Cook 2 to 3 minutes.
    Taco seasoning sprinkled on ground beef.
  4. Add tomato paste, Rotel tomatoes, condensed soup, Velveeta cheese, and cheddar cheese. Cook and stir until cheese is melted.
    Tomatoes and cheese added.
  5. Add pasta and black beans and stir to combine.
    Pasta and black beans added.
  6. Top with cilantro and serve.
Taco Spaghetti in a large skillet.

Recipe Tips

To save time, while the water is coming to a boil, start browning the ground beef.

Variations

  • Use a different protein: Substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the ground beef.
  • Add corn: Replace the black beans with a can of drained corn or add corn along with the beans.
  • Change the cheese: Cheddar, Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack all work well.
  • Add vegetables: Stir in sautéed bell peppers, onions, or zucchini for extra vegetables.
  • Make it extra meaty: Add cooked crumbled bacon or use a little more ground beef.
  • Skip the beans: If your family isn’t a fan of black beans, simply leave them out or substitute corn.

How To Make Creamy Taco Spaghetti Spicy

Use “Hot” taco seasoning, “Hot” Rotel tomatoes, and serve with Cholula hot sauce.

How To Serve

It’s so quick and easy to make, it’s perfect for a weeknight meal. Leftovers reheat well.

Not a very diet-friendly recipe but very friendly and economical. I like to serve it with a side salad to make it a little healthier.

Add some toppings!

Add extra flavors and customize it with toppings.

  • Pickled Jalapenos
  • Sour Cream
  • Diced Avocado
  • Pico de Gallo
  • Sliced Black Olives
  • Sliced green onion

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover taco spaghetti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

The sauce will thicken as it sits. When reheating, add a splash of milk or water and stir before heating. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a skillet over medium-low heat.

Can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

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Taco Spaghetti on a white plate.

Try These Other Easy Dinners With Tex-Mex Flavor

Creamy Taco Spaghetti

4.91 from 11 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Creamy Taco Spaghetti combines spaghetti, seasoned ground beef, Rotel, black beans, and plenty of cheese in a rich, creamy Tex-Mex sauce. This easy 30-minute dinner is cheesy, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights.
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Ingredients

  • 8 ounces spaghetti
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 (1-ounce) packet taco seasoning
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
  • 1 (10.75-ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cut into cubes
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese blend
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, optional

Instructions 

  • Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain.
  • Cook ground beef in a large nonstick skillet until no longer pink, crumbling it as it cooks.
    Drain off fat.
  • Sprinkle taco seasoning over ground beef and add water. Cook over medium high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring to mix well.
  • Add tomato paste, Rotel tomatoes, condensed soup, and velveeta cheese, and cheddar cheese. Cook and stir over medium heat until cheese is melted.
  • Add the cooked pasta and black beans. Stir to combine.
  • Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

Video

Notes

To make it spicy use “Hot” taco seasoning and “Hot” Rotel tomatoes and serve with Cholula Hot Sauce.
Store leftover taco spaghetti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 690kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 1603mg | Potassium: 834mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1299IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 481mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag us @spicysouthernkitchen on social media!
Spaghetti on a white plate.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Originally published Sep 12, 2020.

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14 Comments

  1. Troy Daigle says:

    Christen, again I tried ur creamy taco spaghetti and, it was AWESOME, I used 2 pounds of ground meat so I used 2 packs of taco seasoning and mushrooms with some cajun seasonings…
    AWESOME

    1. Christin Mahrlig says:

      So happy you enjoyed it!!

  2. Katrina says:

    Yummy! This was really good! I left out the bean & added one cup of medium salsa. I need a good idea for a side though…

  3. Jennifer says:

    Made this twice and it’s delicious 😋

  4. Helen Hare says:

    This is delicious and easy. Everyone I make it for loves it!

  5. Amethyst says:

    Delicious recipe!!!!!

  6. Helen says:

    We liked this creative spaghetti recipe! I expected it to be spicier with the taco seasoning, but it wasn’t, so next time I think I’ll use Rotel habanero for a little bit of heat.

  7. Bill says:

    It’s good! I added fresh mushroom slices and cream cheese atServtheend

  8. Pat says:

    I DEFINITELY Will make this Taco recipe. I. LOVE ONIONS AND Will add them to my meat.

  9. Belinda Hackney says:

    My husband saw this recipe and sent it to me. I made it Sunday after church for my husband, his cousin and myself. It was great. The cousin said this is a keeper recipe. We all enjoyed it very much.

  10. Margaret Gray says:

    This Taco Spaghetti is Amazing!
    We are enjoying Right Now 😁
    Thank You for Your Awesome Recipe 👍👍👍