The Best Spaghetti I’ve Ever Made
The Best Spaghetti I’ve Ever Made! is a easy Tex-Mex recipe that serves 6. 550 calories per serving. Recipe by Pepperbellypete on YouTube.
Prep: 20 min | Cook: 1 hr 10 min | Total: 1 hr 45 min
Cost: $22.30 total, $3.72 per serving
Ingredients
- 1 small Onion (chopped)
- 1 each Jalapeno (diced)
- 2 pounds Ground Beef (80% lean, browned and drained)
- 2 packets (1 oz each) Taco Seasoning (any store‑bought brand)
- 16 ounces Salsa (medium heat, your favorite brand)
- 8 ounces Pepper Jack Cheese (shredded)
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese (block, softened)
- 8 ounces Hatch Green Chili (diced, canned or fresh)
- 10.5 ounces Rotel (canned diced tomatoes with green chilies)
- 2 ounces Cheddar Cheese (shredded for topping)
- 16 ounces Spaghetti Pasta (uncooked)
- 3 cups Chicken or Beef Broth (low‑sodium)
Instructions
Prep Vegetables
Chop the small onion and dice the jalapeno. Set aside.
Time: PT5M
Brown Ground Beef
Heat the large skillet over medium‑high heat, add the ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: Medium‑high
Combine Ingredients in Crock Pot
Transfer the browned beef to the crock pot. Add the chopped onion, diced jalapeno, taco seasoning packets, salsa, shredded pepper jack, cream cheese (cut into cubes), Hatch green chilies, and the can of Rotel. Stir until evenly mixed.
Time: PT5M
Initial Slow Cook
Cover the crock pot, set it to LOW, and cook for 30 minutes.
Time: PT30M
Temperature: Low
Stir After 30 Minutes
Open the lid, give everything a good stir to redistribute the sauce and meat.
Time: PT2M
Add Pasta and Broth
Add the uncooked spaghetti (break in half if needed) and pour in the 3 cups of broth. Press the pasta down so it is fully submerged in the liquid.
Time: PT5M
Finish Cooking on High
Cover the crock pot, switch to HIGH, and cook for another 30 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and the sauce is thickened.
Time: PT30M
Temperature: High
Add Cheddar and Final Stir
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the top, stir gently to melt the cheese, and let sit for 2 minutes with the lid on.
Time: PT3M
Serve
Turn off the crock pot, spoon the Mexican spaghetti onto plates, and enjoy while hot.
Time: PT0M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 550
- Protein
- 30g
- Carbohydrates
- 45g
- Fat
- 25g
- Fiber
- 4g
Dietary info: Contains meat, Can be made gluten‑free with gluten‑free pasta, Can be made dairy‑free by omitting cheese or using dairy‑free alternatives
Allergens: Dairy, Gluten
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Onion: Shallot, Green onion
- Instead of Jalapeno: Serrano pepper, Poblano pepper
- Instead of Ground Beef: Ground turkey, Ground chicken, Plant‑based mince
- Instead of Taco Seasoning: Homemade taco blend (chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, salt)
- Instead of Salsa: Pico de gallo, Enchilada sauce
- Instead of Pepper Jack Cheese: Monterey Jack, Cheddar
- Instead of Cream Cheese: Neufchatel cheese, Mascarpone
- Instead of Hatch Green Chili: Roasted green chilies, Jalapeno
- Instead of Rotel: Canned diced tomatoes with green chilies
- Instead of Cheddar Cheese: Mexican blend cheese, Pepper Jack
- Instead of Spaghetti Pasta: Penne, Rotini
- Instead of Chicken or Beef Broth: Vegetable broth, Water with extra seasoning
Equipment Needed
- Crock Pot (Slow Cooker)
- Large Skillet
- Cutting Board
- Chef’s Knife
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula
- Ladle (optional)
- Box Grater (optional)
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Brown the ground beef thoroughly before adding to the crock pot
- Stir after the first 30‑minute low‑cook period
- Press the pasta down so it is fully covered with liquid
- Cook on HIGH until pasta is al dente
- Add cheddar cheese at the end for a smooth melt
Chef Tips from the Video
- Shred the pepper jack and cheddar yourself for better melt and texture.
- Use low‑sodium broth to control the salt level.
- Add an extra jalapeno or a dash of hot sauce if you like more heat.
Troubleshooting
Pasta is mushy
Reduce the second cooking time by 5‑10 minutes or use a firmer pasta shape.
Sauce is too watery
Remove the lid for the last 10 minutes on HIGH to allow excess liquid to evaporate, or add a tablespoon of tomato paste.
Cheese isn’t melting
Stir the cheese in while the crock pot is still on HIGH and cover for an additional 2‑3 minutes.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Cool completely, then freeze in a freezer‑safe container for up to 2 months. Reheat in microwave or on stovetop with a splash of broth.
Room temperature: Do not leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Prepare and chop all vegetables up to 24 hours ahead and keep refrigerated.
- The cooked dish freezes well; portion and freeze for future meals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of Mexican Crock Pot Spaghetti in Tex‑Mex cuisine?
Mexican Crock Pot Spaghetti is a modern, convenience‑focused twist on classic Tex‑Mex comfort foods like taco casserole and chili mac. It reflects the American love for one‑pot meals while incorporating familiar Mexican flavors such as taco seasoning, salsa, and green chilies.
What traditional regional variations of Mexican‑style spaghetti exist in Mexican or Tex‑Mex cooking?
In Mexico, pasta is less common, but similar flavor profiles appear in dishes like "espagueti a la mexicana" where spaghetti is tossed with tomato, chilies, and cheese. In Texas, the dish often includes ground beef, taco seasoning, and a blend of cheeses, mirroring the recipe here.
How is Mexican Crock Pot Spaghetti traditionally served in Tex‑Mex households?
It is usually served hot straight from the slow cooker, topped with extra shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and fresh cilantro. Some families pair it with warm tortillas or a simple side salad.
What occasions or celebrations is Mexican Crock Pot Spaghetti commonly associated with in Tex‑Mex culture?
Because it’s easy to make in large batches, it’s popular for family gatherings, game‑day parties, potlucks, and casual weekend meals where a crowd‑pleasing, hearty dish is needed.
How does Mexican Crock Pot Spaghetti fit into the broader Tex‑Mex cuisine tradition?
It embodies the Tex‑Mex hallmark of blending American comfort foods (spaghetti, cheese) with Mexican flavor staples (taco seasoning, salsa, chilies), creating a fusion that’s both familiar and exciting to the palate.
What are the authentic traditional ingredients for Mexican Crock Pot Spaghetti versus acceptable substitutes?
Authentic ingredients include ground beef, taco seasoning, medium‑heat salsa, pepper jack cheese, cream cheese, Hatch green chilies, and Rotel. Substitutes can be ground turkey, homemade taco spice blend, Monterey Jack, Neufchatel, roasted green chilies, or canned diced tomatoes with chilies.
What other Tex‑Mex dishes pair well with Mexican Crock Pot Spaghetti?
Serve it alongside Mexican street‑style corn (elote), a fresh avocado‑lime salad, refried beans, or warm flour tortillas for a complete Tex‑Mex feast.
What makes Mexican Crock Pot Spaghetti special or unique in Tex‑Mex cuisine?
Its uniqueness lies in using a slow cooker to meld pasta with a rich, cheesy taco‑flavored sauce, eliminating the need for stovetop sautéing after the initial browning step, which saves time and creates a melt‑in‑your‑mouth texture.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Mexican Crock Pot Spaghetti?
Common errors include not browning the beef first (resulting in a greasy texture), lifting the lid too often during cooking (which reduces heat), and not pressing the pasta fully into the liquid, which can cause uneven cooking.
Why does this Mexican Crock Pot Spaghetti recipe use both cream cheese and shredded cheese instead of just one cheese type?
Cream cheese adds a silky, creamy base that prevents the sauce from becoming watery, while shredded pepper jack and cheddar provide meltiness and a sharp, tangy flavor that defines the dish’s Tex‑Mex character.
What does the YouTube channel Pepperbellypete specialize in?
The YouTube channel Pepperbellypete specializes in easy, family‑friendly American and Tex‑Mex comfort food recipes, often using one‑pot or slow‑cooker methods to simplify weeknight cooking.
How does the YouTube channel Pepperbellypete's approach to Tex‑Mex cooking differ from other Tex‑Mex cooking channels?
Pepperbellypete focuses on minimal‑prep, equipment‑light dishes that can be made in a crock pot or single skillet, whereas many other Tex‑Mex channels emphasize grilling, frying, or more elaborate plating techniques.
Last updated: September 6, 2026
