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Mexican Spaghetti is an easy, one-pot dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Made with pantry staples, ground beef, and bold Mexican flavors, this family-tested recipe is a hit with kids and adults alike.

If you’re looking for an affordable dinner that comes together fast and doesn’t leave a pile of dishes, this recipe fits real life perfectly.

A white pot filled with Mexican Spaghetti, featuring ground beef, black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, and chopped red bell peppers. All topped with melted cheese and fresh parsley. A wooden spoon is placed in the pot for serving this delicious spaghetti dish.
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Why This Mexican Spaghetti Works for Busy Families!

A woman with long dark hair, wearing earrings and a burgundy top, smiles at the camera in front of a textured, beige background.

This Mexican Spaghetti brings together classic spaghetti with bold Mexican flavors in one easy pot. It’s quick to prep, easy to customize, and makes enough to feed a hungry family without stretching your grocery budget.

This Monday Night Dinner Ideas is kid-friendly and cooks easily on the stovetop for a quick dinner idea.

This Mexican Spaghetti is a twist on a classic recipe. Check out these other spaghetti recipes, Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole, Spaghetti Pie, Spaghetti Tacos, Pasta Carbonara Cheesecake Factory, Baked Chicken Spaghetti and Taco Spaghetti.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Budget-Friendly: Yes! Made with pantry staples and ground beef
  • One-Pot Meal: Yes
  • Family-Tested: Kid-approved flavors
  • Best For: Busy weeknights, leftovers, feeding a crowd

Ingredients

A top-down view of ingredients arranged on a white surface for Mexican Spaghetti. Includes ground meat, spaghetti, shredded cheese, diced onions, corn, black beans, bell peppers, garlic, tomato sauce, and various spices. "Eating On A Dime" is printed on the image.
  • Spaghetti – Use store-brand pasta or leftover cooked spaghetti to stretch meals further. You can even use Spaghetti Squash or Easy Zucchini Noodles Recipe.
  • Lean Ground Beef – Ground turkey or a beef/turkey mix works well and can save money.
  • Onion – See Best Onion Substitute if you are out
  • Cloves Garlic – Learn How to Mince Garlic Cloves
  • Red Bell Pepper – Feel free to use green bell pepper
  • Black Beans – Any canned beans work; use what you already have to keep costs low.

How to Make Mexican Spaghetti

A bundle of uncooked spaghetti stands upright in a silver pot filled with water. The pot sits on a light-colored surface, and a green and white striped cloth napkin is draped to the side, subtly adding a touch of Mexican flair.

Step 1 – Cook spaghetti noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

A white pot with handles containing raw ground beef being stirred with a wooden spoon is set on a light-colored countertop. To the left, a green and white striped cloth adds a pop of color, hinting at the beginnings of a delicious Mexican recipe.

Step 2 – In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat.

A large white pot sits on a light surface with cooked ground beef, diced onions, chopped red bell peppers, and minced garlic inside. A wooden spatula rests in the pot, hinting that this might be the start of a delicious Mexican Spaghetti. A green and white striped kitchen towel lies beside it.

Step 3 – Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.

A white pot filled with various ingredients for a Mexican chili, including black beans, ground meat, corn, diced tomatoes, and spices. A wooden spoon is in the pot, and a striped green and white dish towel is next to it on a light-colored surface.

Step 4 – Stir in crushed tomatoes, black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, paprika, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.

A pot filled with a Mexican chili mixture containing ground meat, black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes, with half of the pot covered by cooked spaghetti. A wooden spoon rests inside the pot. A green and white striped towel is placed beside the pot on a white surface, completing this delicious recipe.

Step 5 – Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to combine with the sauce.

A large white pot filled with a savory spaghetti dish featuring noodles, ground meat, diced tomatoes, and topped with shredded cheese. A green and white striped kitchen towel is placed beside the pot on a light gray surface, hinting at a delicious Mexican twist to this classic recipe.

Step 6 – Sprinkle cheese over the top and cover the skillet. Cook on low heat until the cheese is melted, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and top with chopped cilantro if desired.

A pot of cheesy taco spaghetti, a delightful Mexican Spaghetti recipe, topped with fresh cilantro and featuring a wooden spoon for serving. The dish includes ground meat, black beans, and diced tomatoes. In the background, there are red bell peppers, an onion, lime wedges, and a bunch of cilantro. A striped cloth napkin is nearby.

Recipe Tips

  • Pasta – Cook the pasta according to the package and al dente.
  • Chopping Veggies – Chop the vegetables about the same size so that they cook evenly. We like using a Mandoline Slicer for best results.
  • Combining Ingredients – Combining the ingredients in a large pot or Dutch oven until everything is heated and combined together.

Variations Ideas

  • Spicy – For a spicier dish, add a diced jalapeño with the bell pepper or increase the amount of chili powder. You can also add in a tsp of red pepper flakes.
  • Sauce Consistency – If you like a saucier pasta, you can add ½ cup of chicken or beef broth when you add the crushed tomatoes.
  • Seasoning – This Mexican Spaghetti can also be made with Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
  • Toppings – Serve this Mexican Spaghetti topped with sour cream, Monterey Jack shredded cheese, avocado and chopped green onions.

Serving Suggestions

This Mexican Spaghetti is a complete meal but we always like to serve some easy side dishes.

A pot of cheesy taco spaghetti topped with melted cheese, black beans, corn, and diced vegetables. A wooden spoon lifts a portion, showing the melted cheese stretching. In the background, there's a bowl of lime wedges and a red bell pepper—it's the perfect Mexican-inspired recipe.

Storage and Freezer Tips

  • Fridge – Store the Leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Reheat the leftovers in the microwave. If you have leftover taco meat, see Leftover Taco Meat Recipes.
  • Freezer – Freezing is not recommended, as the pasta can become soft when thawed.
  • Reheating – Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth. Add a splash of broth or water before reheating to keep it saucy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make in Advance?

Yes! Cook the meat and chop the vegetables in advance to make dinner come together faster.

Is Mexican Spaghetti spicy?

Mexican Spaghetti is mild as written and kid-approved. You can easily adjust the heat by adding jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or extra chili powder for a spicier version.

What kind of pasta works best for Mexican Spaghetti?

Spaghetti noodles work great, but you can also use penne, rotini, or any short pasta you have on hand. This is a great way to use up leftover pasta.

  

Review Pin Print
A bowl of Mexican Spaghetti topped with grated cheese, chopped red bell peppers, and cilantro. The spaghetti has a tomato-based sauce with ground meat. There is a fork in the bowl, and fresh cilantro and lime wedges are in the background.

Mexican Spaghetti

5 from 1 vote
Mexican Spaghetti is a one-pot meal that is perfect for a busy weeknight. My kids love this recipe and it combines all the delicious Mexican flavors that everyone loves.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6
Cuisine Mexican
Course Main Course
Calories 899
Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat.
  • Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in crushed tomatoes, black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, paprika, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to combine with the sauce.
  • Sprinkle cheese over the top and cover the skillet. Cook on low heat until the cheese is melted, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and top with chopped cilantro if desired.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

For a spicier dish, add a diced jalapeño with the bell pepper or increase the amount of chili powder.
If you like a saucier pasta, you can add ½ cup of chicken or beef broth when you add the crushed tomatoes.
Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 899kcal, Carbohydrates 92g, Protein 45g, Fat 41g, Saturated Fat 18g, Polyunsaturated Fat 2g, Monounsaturated Fat 14g, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 126mg, Sodium 1764mg, Potassium 1325mg, Fiber 13g, Sugar 6g, Vitamin A 1975IU, Vitamin C 33mg, Calcium 411mg, Iron 10mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie Barnard — a professional food blogger with over 14 years of experience helping busy families make dinner fast, easy, and affordable.

At Eating on a Dime, I share simple, budget-friendly recipes that are tested in my own kitchen and approved by my 8 kids. With millions of readers each month, I’m here to help you cook real food for real families — without the stress.

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5 from 1 vote

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Comments

  1. Casey says:

    5 stars
    Tons of flavor andit was easy to make!

    Reply