Description
Hearty one-pot taco spaghetti brings Mexican and Italian cuisines together in a delightful culinary fusion. Cheese, ground beef, and pasta combine for a quick, satisfying meal that will delight you at dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- ½ cup (75 g) yellow onion, diced
- 10 oz (283 g) diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 Roma tomato, diced
- 8 oz (226 g) uncooked spaghetti
- 4.5 tbsps (67.5 ml) taco seasoning
- 3 cups (720 ml) water
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) tomato paste
- ½ cup (56 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (56 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Sear Protein: Ignite olive oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat, browning ground beef alongside diced onions until meat caramelizes and onions turn translucent, approximately 4 minutes.
- Build Sauce Foundation: Incorporate tomato paste and diced tomatoes, stirring vigorously to create a robust, cohesive flavor profile that coats the cooking surface.
- Pasta Integration: Fracture spaghetti noodles into bite-sized fragments, submerging them completely in water within the pot, ensuring a comprehensive liquid coverage that promotes uniform cooking.
- Simmer and Meld: Bring mixture to a rolling boil, immediately reducing heat and covering the pot, allowing ingredients to harmonize and pasta to tenderize for 12-15 minutes while occasional stirring prevents adherence.
- Cheese Fusion: Extract pot from heat source, gently folding shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses into the mixture, leveraging residual warmth to create a creamy, interconnected texture.
- Finish and Embellish: Sprinkle freshly chopped Roma tomatoes and cilantro leaves across the surface, introducing a vibrant, aromatic dimension that elevates the dish’s visual and gustatory appeal.
- Serve Dynamically: Present immediately, offering optional complementary toppings for personalized culinary expression.
Notes
- Break Pasta Carefully: Snap spaghetti noodles into smaller segments gently to maintain consistent cooking and prevent uneven texture.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Remove pot from heat before adding cheese to prevent burning and ensure smooth, creamy melting.
- Prevent Pasta Sticking: Stir occasionally during simmering to avoid noodles clumping together and creating uneven cooking.
- Optional Flavor Boosters: Customize with additional toppings like jalapeños, sour cream, or green onions for personalized taste experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg