Cheesy Taco Spaghetti Casserole (2024)

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Cheesy Taco Spaghetti Casserole (1)

CHEESY TACO SPAGHETTI CASSEROLE

If you want comfort food or just something that you know your kids will eat without complaining then you must try this Cheesy Taco Spaghetti Casserole.

Pasta, ground beef, chili beans, tomato sauce, shredded cheese, and Velveeta cheese make this taco spaghetti casserole so delicious and family friendly.

I love casserole recipes because they make a big pan of food, which means leftovers, and they’re fairly inexpensive to make for a family.

Cheesy Taco Spaghetti Casserole (2)

HOW TO MAKE CHEESY TACO SPAGHETTI CASSEROLE

Thin Spaghetti Noodles– The thin spaghetti noodles are preferred for this casserole. It will specifically say ‘thin spaghetti’ on the box. Cook according to package instructions. Remember to salt the pasta water. It’s easy to forget but it makes plain pasta taste so much better. I use about 1 teaspoon, but I never measure, I just eyeball it.

Ground Beef

Taco Seasoning – You can use whatever packet you want (low-sodium, mild, hot) or use about 3 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning.

Chili Beans – These are pinto beans in chili sauce. You will find them by the other canned beans and it will say ‘chili beans’ on the can.

Tomato Sauce

Velveeta Cheese – Yes, I know, Velveeta! Eat it this one time. Please. It melts perfectly silky and smooth and really makes this casserole delicious.

Shredded Cheese– This is sprinkled on top of the casserole. Use any kind you want. I usually always use Colby Jack cheese because I buy it in the big block at Costco.

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MY TIPS FOR THIS CASSEROLE RECIPE

I love to serve this with some sour cream, sliced green onions, and chopped tomato. My kids always love when they can “decorate” their own food with toppings 🙂

Let’s talk about Velveeta cheese. I am a firm believer in ‘moderation in all things’ so yes, eat the Velveeta in this recipe, and enjoy it because it’s so good. Velveeta cheese melts so smoothly compared to real cheese. Yes I know Velveeta is not necessarily real, but if you want that silky smooth cheese then use it. Technically you could use real shredded cheese, but I promise it won’t be the same.

Don’t drain the chili beans. You want that mild chili sauce that’s in the can with the beans. Chili beans are simply pinto beans in chili sauce. You can get mild or medium heat. I always use mild. The can will specifically say chili beans on it. So make sure you get the right ones.

Cheesy Taco Spaghetti Casserole (4)

Cheesy Taco Spaghetti Casserole (5)

Cheesy Taco Spaghetti Casserole


Author Jessica

Course Main Course

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Cheesy Taco Spaghetti Casserole has taco seasoned ground beef, chili beans, tomato sauce, Velveeta cheese, and shredded cheese. Bakes in one pan and the leftovers are fabulous for another meal! Only a few ingredients to a family approved dinner.

Ingredients

  • 1 box (1 lb) thin spaghetti noodles
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 can (15 oz) chili beans, undrained
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 8 oz velveeta cheese, cubed
  • 1 cup shredded cheese
  • chopped tomato & green onion for garnish

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9x13 baking dish and spray with cooking spray.

  • In a skillet pan, cook ground beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain and return to pan.

  • Add the taco seasoning and water to the beef, stir until combined together.

  • Add the undrained chili beans, tomato sauce, and chunked Velveeta cheese. Stir together and let the Velveeta melt. Turn heat to low and let simmer while the pasta cooks.

  • Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions. Remember to salt your water so your pasta has some flavor!

  • Drain pasta when done and add to the taco beef mixture. Stir together and dump into the prepared baking dish. Top with the shredded cheese.

  • Cook for 20 minutes. Garnish with chopped tomato and green onion.

Video

Notes

Use any type of shredded cheese for the topping. I normally use Colby Jack because I always have that in the fridge.

The box of Velveeta comes in a 16 oz size, so I will normally use closer to 10-12 oz of it because we like it really cheesy.

Nutrition

Calories: 471kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 1762mg | Potassium: 950mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1158IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 278mg | Iron: 4mg

Did You Make This Recipe?

I'd love to see it! You can share it with me on @togetherasfamilyblog and follow on Pinterest @together-as-family-blog-recipes or Facebook @togetherasfamilyblog for more!

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Cheesy Taco Spaghetti Casserole (2024)

FAQs

What is the nutritional value of taco spaghetti? ›

Nutrition. Per serving: (does not include optional toppings) Calories: 680, Total Fat: 30g, Sat. Fat: 14.5g, Cholest: 114mg, Sodium: 860mg, Carbs: 59g, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 8g, Protein: 40g.

Can I use tomato sauce instead of water for taco seasoning? ›

Tomato sauce: Rather than using water, tomato sauce (pureed tomatoes with no added seasoning) adds flavor and moisture to the taco meat. Taco seasoning: The perfect blend of seasonings that makes this the best taco meat recipe, skip the packet of taco seasoning and make your own instead.

Is spaghetti good or bad carbs? ›

Pasta is high in carbs, which can be bad for you when consumed in large amounts. It also contains gluten, a type of protein that causes issues for those who are gluten-sensitive. On the other hand, pasta can provide some nutrients that are important to health.

Is spaghetti healthy yes or no? ›

Nevertheless, pasta can be part of a healthy diet, and it's better for you than fried potatoes and white bread, so swapping it in can benefit your health, Morse says. It's often paired with healthy foods, too, such as olive oil and vegetables.

Why do you put baking soda in tomato sauce? ›

If your tomato sauce is too acidic and verging on bitter, turn to baking soda, not sugar. Yes, sugar might make the sauce taste better, but good old baking soda is an alkaline that will help balance the excess acid. A little pinch should do the trick.

Is enchilada sauce the same as taco sauce? ›

Taco sauce has a similar taste profile to enchilada sauces. Like enchilada sauce, it's made with tomatoes, garlic, chilies, and various other spices and aromatics. It does have a different flavor, but the main problem with using taco sauce is that it's thicker. It's meant as a condiment rather than a cooking sauce.

What is taco meat called? ›

Carne Asada – Asada (or asado) means “roasted” in Spanish. Carne asada is a spicy, marinated grilled steak that's cut into strips. This is the meat that goes into burritos and tacos. Pollo Asado – Pollo means “chicken” in Spanish, which means that pollo asado is grilled, marinated chicken.

What is the healthiest spaghetti to buy? ›

The most nutritious types of pasta are:
  • Whole-Wheat Pasta. Whole wheat pasta, or whole grain pasta, is made from the entire grain of the wheat stalk, including the bran, endosperm, and germ. ...
  • Chickpea Pasta. ...
  • Legume-Based Pastas. ...
  • Soba Noodles. ...
  • Rice Noodles. ...
  • Quinoa Noodles. ...
  • Vegetable Noodles. ...
  • White Pasta.

What is the most nutritious thing on the Taco Bell menu? ›

1. Soft taco supreme. In general, Angelone says that going for a soft taco is healthier than opting for a crunchy one. The soft taco supreme packs nine grams of protein while being just over 200 calories.

What is the nutritional value of spaghetti? ›

Spaghetti, cooked, unenriched, without added salt, 1 cup
Protein (g)8.12
Magnesium, Mg (mg)25.2
Phosphorus, P (mg)81.2
Potassium, K (mg)63
Sodium, Na (mg)1.4
29 more rows

What is a healthy version of spaghetti? ›

Zucchini Noodles or “Zoodles”

It's also a great source of protein, vitamin A, thiamin, niacin, phosphorus and copper, dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, riboflavin, vitamin B6, folic acid, magnesium, potassium and manganese. Wow, that's a lot of nutrients!

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