Description
Spaghetti Tacos are a playful and delicious fusion of Italian and Mexican cuisine, featuring savory meatballs mixed with al dente spaghetti and marinara sauce, all served inside warm flour tortillas. This unique dish is cheesy, beefy, and fun to eat, perfect for a family meal that adds a creative twist to classic spaghetti and tacos.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup Italian bread crumbs
- 2 Tbsp mild taco seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ⅓ cup Kraft grated Parmesan cheese (powdery kind)
Spaghetti and Sauce
- 1 lb. thin spaghetti pasta
- 1 jar favorite marinara sauce
- ⅓ cup Kraft grated Parmesan cheese (powdery kind)
Tacos
- 8-10 medium size flour tortillas
- 3 Tbsp olive or canola oil (or more if needed)
Toppings
- Fresh Parmesan cheese (for topping)
- Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1-2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- ¼ white onion, diced
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Make Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, egg, Italian bread crumbs, taco seasoning, ⅓ cup grated Parmesan, garlic salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Form Meatballs: Scoop the mixture into small balls about 1½ inches in diameter and roll them with your hands to shape evenly. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing evenly.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs for about 20 minutes until cooked through. Adjust cooking time slightly if the meatballs are smaller or larger. After baking, press with paper towels to remove excess grease.
- Cook Spaghetti: While the meatballs bake, cook the spaghetti pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water, breaking strands in half before placing them in the water. Cook according to package directions but stop 1-2 minutes before al dente for perfect texture. Drain and return pasta to pot.
- Combine Pasta and Meatballs: Add the marinara sauce, baked meatballs, and ⅓ cup grated Parmesan to the pot with cooked spaghetti. Gently mix with a large spoon, careful not to break the meatballs, and keep warm until serving.
- Prepare Tortillas: Warm the flour tortillas lightly in a skillet with olive or canola oil if desired, or warm in the oven to make them pliable for serving.
- Assemble Spaghetti Tacos: Spoon the spaghetti and meatball mixture into each warm tortilla. Top with fresh Parmesan cheese, diced Roma tomatoes, diced white onion, and chopped cilantro for added flavor and freshness.
Notes
- Spaghetti Tacos are a fun and flavorful twist combining the comforting taste of spaghetti with the convenience of tacos.
- Adjust the size of meatballs as preferred; cooking times will vary accordingly.
- Use your favorite marinara sauce to customize the flavor profile.
- This dish can be a bit messy but is well worth the experience.
- Play around with toppings such as shredded lettuce, sour cream, or jalapeños for added zest.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 741 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 1729 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 68 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 94 mg
