Taco Cheese Spaghetti (Printable Version)

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 1 cup of grated cheese (try cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or your favorite mix)

→ Aromatics

02 - 1 cup of chopped onion
03 - 3 minced garlic cloves

→ Garnish

04 - Optional: 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped cilantro

→ Protein

05 - 450 grams of ground beef or turkey

→ Seasonings

06 - A couple of tablespoons of taco mix—any kind you like best
07 - A sprinkle of salt and pepper to your liking

→ Liquids

08 - A 240ml can of beef stock
09 - 1 small (120ml) can of chopped green chili peppers
10 - 1 (414ml) can of diced tomatoes
11 - Optional: 2 teaspoons of tamari (or swap for soy sauce if gluten's not an issue)
12 - Optional: 2 teaspoons of gluten-free Worcestershire sauce

→ Pasta

13 - 225 grams of spaghetti (gluten-free noodles work too)

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Heat a big pan over medium-high. Add the ground turkey or beef and chopped onions. Cook until the meat turns golden brown, then drain any extra grease, if necessary.
02 - Cook the spaghetti in a pot of salted water according to the package’s instructions. Once it’s al dente, drain it and set it aside for now.
03 - Mix in the taco seasoning and minced garlic with the browned meat mixture, then cook for another minute so the flavors can meld.
04 - Dump in the canned tomatoes, beef broth, diced chilies, Worcestershire sauce, and tamari. Stir well, bring everything to a light boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes.
05 - Switch off the heat, sprinkle in the shredded cheese, and stir until it melts smoothly into the sauce.
06 - Toss the cooked pasta into the pan with the sauce and stir. Add salt, pepper, and the cilantro if you’re using it, and mix it all so the noodles are fully coated.
07 - Scoop out portions onto plates while it’s still warm. Feel free to top it with sour cream, avocado slices, or even some chopped scallions to brighten it up.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Craving some spice? Add diced jalapeños when you’re sautéing the onions.
02 - For a thicker sauce, stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste as you add the garlic.
03 - Need more protein? A can of black beans (drained and rinsed) works wonderfully.
04 - Want a creamy version? Blend in 4 ounces of cream cheese, half a cup of sour cream, or heavy cream when adding the cheese.
05 - Go crazy with extra toppings like salsa, fresh guac, or additional shredded cheese!

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