Description
Spaghetti Tacos combine Italian-style spaghetti with crispy taco shells to create a fun and flavorful fusion dish. This recipe features al dente spaghetti tossed in a savory marinara sauce with sautéed onions, garlic, and optional ground beef or vegetarian substitutes, all served in crunchy taco shells and topped with melted cheese and fresh herbs. Perfect for a creative family meal or a kid-friendly dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghetti and Sauce
- 200g spaghetti, cooked al dente
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 lb ground beef or meat substitute (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs (basil and oregano)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Taco Toppings and Variations
- 6 crispy taco shells
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, or pepper jack)
- Sautéed mushrooms or lentils (for vegetarian version)
- Jalapeños or hot sauce (for a spicy kick)
- Fresh parsley, thyme, or rosemary (herb-infused)
- Taco seasoning or black beans (Mexican twist)
- Grated Parmesan cheese, fresh chopped basil or parsley for garnish
- Sour cream or crushed red pepper flakes for topping
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about a cup of pasta water, and set the spaghetti aside.
- Prepare Sauce Base: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onions and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent. Add the ground beef or plant-based substitute if using, cooking until browned. Stir in the marinara sauce, Italian herbs, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Let the sauce simmer gently to meld the flavors.
- Combine Spaghetti and Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti into the skillet with the sauce mixture. If the sauce is thick, add some reserved pasta water little by little to coat the pasta evenly and create a smooth consistency.
- Warm Taco Shells: Slightly warm the taco shells to make them pliable while maintaining their crispiness. Be careful not to overheat to avoid breaking.
- Assemble Tacos: Spoon generous portions of the spaghetti mixture into each taco shell carefully to avoid spills. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the filled tacos.
- Melt Cheese: For extra melty and bubbly cheese, place the tacos under a broiler or in a hot oven for a few minutes until the cheese melts and turns golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs like basil or parsley. Add optional toppings such as jalapeños, sour cream, or crushed red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with sautéed mushrooms, lentils, or a plant-based meat substitute for a vegetarian version.
- The red pepper flakes and jalapeños add a spicy kick, but can be omitted for a milder dish.
- If the taco shells crack when filling, try warming them a little longer or filling them gently.
- Leftover spaghetti sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
- For extra flavor, add taco seasoning or black beans to the spaghetti mixture for a fusion twist.
- Serving sour cream or crushed red pepper flakes on the side can elevate the flavor profile.
