Taco Spaghetti Crockpot

Featured in Slow Cooker Meals.

This slow-cooked fusion dish marries Mexican boldness with Italian comfort. Ground beef’s seasoned perfectly with taco spices, then slow-cooked, combined with spaghetti for a cheesy, flavorful delight. The noodles absorb a blend of taco-y goodness and melted cheese for a creamy, taste-packed meal. It’s a fresh twist on two classic cuisines that everyone will enjoy!
punchofyummy
Updated on Mon, 17 Mar 2025 18:04:42 GMT
Close-up showing a bowl of spaghetti mixed with taco beef, diced tomatoes, sweet corn, and fresh parsley. Pin it
Close-up showing a bowl of spaghetti mixed with taco beef, diced tomatoes, sweet corn, and fresh parsley. | pinchofyummy.com

I threw this Crockpot Taco Spaghetti together during one of those desperate pantry-scrounging moments. It's now our go-to meal when life gets crazy. The slow cooker blends those taco flavors with the pasta so beautifully—you won't believe how tasty it turns out without any babysitting at the stove.

Effortless Kitchen Wonders

Don't you just love when food almost cooks itself? Toss everything into your slow cooker and walk away—the pasta will soak up all those incredible flavors while you're busy elsewhere. It's exactly what you need when you can't spend hours cooking dinner.

Grab These Items

  • Olive Oil: A splash for meat browning.
  • Ground Beef: Grab the lean stuff.
  • Yellow Onion: Brings wonderful taste.
  • Taco Seasoning: Packaged or DIY works fine.
  • Rotel Tomatoes: Adds that lovely spice.
  • Fresh Cilantro: Brightens everything up.
  • Spaghetti: Standard dry pasta.
  • Beef Broth: Creates deep flavor.
  • Sharp Cheddar: Gets gooey and wonderful.

Time To Cook

Cook The Meat First
Get it brown with the onions add salt and pepper then dump the fat.
Load The Crockpot
Throw in all ingredients seasoning tomatoes cilantro noodles and broth then mix well.
Walk Away
Put the lid on cook on high for about 2 hours but check pasta at 1½ hours.
Ready To Dig In
Mix in the cheese add more cilantro on top then serve while hot.

Custom Tweaks

Want no gluten? Swap in your trusted GF pasta. Craving heat? Pick the spicy Rotel. Love extras? Try some crumbled tortilla chips a dollop of sour cream or sliced avocado.

Leftover Magic

Stash it in your fridge for a few days in airtight containers. It freezes great too for up to 2 months. Add a bit of broth when warming it up to bring back that saucy texture.

Great Companions

This tastes amazing with homemade guac fresh pico or a light Mexican green salad. Don't forget some buttery garlic bread on the side to mop up that tasty sauce.

Fast Answers

You won't need to cook the pasta beforehand it does fine right in the pot. Your meat stays juicy from the slow cooking method. You can tweak it for anyone's eating plan so everyone's happy.

Pro Hints

Make sure those noodles stay under liquid as they cook. Brown your seasoning with the meat for better taste. Don't let it cook too long or you'll end up with soggy pasta.

A bowl of spaghetti topped with ground meat, corn, and chopped cilantro, served with a side of grated cheese. Pin it
A bowl of spaghetti topped with ground meat, corn, and chopped cilantro, served with a side of grated cheese. | pinchofyummy.com

What Makes It Special

This meal combines our favorite parts of tacos and pasta dishes. The slow cooking really lets those flavors mix perfectly. Then you add that melty cheese and you've got total comfort on a plate.

Mix It Up

Go wild with different cheese like spicy pepper jack. Ground turkey or chicken tastes great too. Add some bell peppers or sweet corn for extra veggies. Broken tortilla chips sprinkled on top give a fun crunch.

Party Portions

Simply double all the stuff for bigger groups stir really well for good flavor. Create a topping station so folks can dress up their bowls with cool sour cream zesty salsa crisp lettuce and spicy jalapeños.

Ideal Companions

Enjoy with cold limeade or fun margaritas. Serve tortilla chips and homemade guac or spicy bean dip alongside. Finish with sweet churros or creamy flan if you're feeling fancy.

Future Meals

Cook extra split into meal-sized portions and freeze for busy days. Works great for quick lunches or dinners just stir in a splash of liquid when heating.

Crowd Pleaser

This dish blends two comfort foods in the most delicious way. It's super easy to make and can fit anyone's taste preferences you'll soon find it's your backup dinner plan too.

A bowl of spaghetti topped with seasoned ground meat, corn, diced tomatoes, and fresh cilantro. Pin it
A bowl of spaghetti topped with seasoned ground meat, corn, diced tomatoes, and fresh cilantro. | pinchofyummy.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this early?

Yes, keep in the fridge for up to 2 days or freeze it for 2 months. Reheat with added liquid to avoid dry spots.

→ How can I stop mushy pasta?

Check the pasta after 90 minutes, especially thinner types. Take the lid off as soon as it’s the texture you like.

→ How can I change the heat level?

Swap out Rotel tomatoes for mild or spicy versions. Adjust with taco seasoning to match your taste preference.

→ What replaces cilantro?

Chop some fresh parsley to keep a similar look and flavor without losing what makes the dish special.

→ Why split the spaghetti up?

Breaking it helps fit everything evenly in the slow cooker and ensures balanced cooking with the sauce.

Taco Spaghetti Crockpot

Tender taco-style beef meets spaghetti, all done together in a slow cooker with diced tomatoes and gooey cheese.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
120 Minutes
Total Time
135 Minutes
By: Amelia

Category: Slow Cooker Meals

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Fusion

Yield: 6 Servings (6 servings)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef.
02 3 cups of water.
03 2 cups of beef broth.
04 1 tablespoon olive oil.
05 1 packet of taco seasoning (1 ounce).
06 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro.
07 1/2 teaspoon salt.
08 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
09 1 pound spaghetti noodles.
10 20 ounces of Rotel tomatoes with chilies.
11 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
12 3/4 cup diced yellow onion.

Instructions

Step 01

Warm a skillet on medium-high and cook the beef with onion, salt, and a bit of pepper. Once there’s no pink, drain the grease.

Step 02

Load cooked beef, broth, tomatoes, cilantro, seasonings, uncooked spaghetti, and water into the slow cooker (6-quart). Push down the noodles so they’re covered.

Step 03

Set to HIGH for 2 hours or LOW for 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Peek at the noodles after 1 1/2 hours to check softness.

Step 04

Turn off the slow cooker, mix in cheese till it melts, and sprinkle some extra cilantro on top.

Notes

  1. Thin spaghetti cooks faster, so keep an eye on it.
  2. Rotel comes in mild or spicy—pick what you like.
  3. Cilantro can be swapped out for parsley.

Tools You'll Need

  • A large skillet.
  • A 6-quart crockpot.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy.
  • Includes wheat products.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 487
  • Total Fat: 17 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 49 g
  • Protein: 34 g