If you’ve been searching for a dish that brilliantly combines Italian comfort with a fun, taco twist, you’re in for a real treat with the Mama Mia Spaghetti Tacos Recipe. This innovative meal takes tender spaghetti smothered in rich, savory marinara sauce and hearty ground beef, all nestled inside crispy taco shells, creating an irresistible fusion that’s both familiar and exciting. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving something unique for dinner, this recipe is a total crowd-pleaser that’s quick to prepare and endlessly satisfying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of the Mama Mia Spaghetti Tacos Recipe lies in its simple, quality ingredients that come together for a bold flavor and delightful texture combo. Each item is essential, adding a layer of taste, a touch of color, or the perfect bite-size element to bring everything to life.
- 1 pound 85% lean ground beef: Provides hearty, savory protein as the base of the filling.
- 1½ tablespoons Garlic Garlic™ Seasoning: Adds bright, aromatic depth that enhances the beef beautifully.
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes: Creates the rich, tangy tomato foundation for the sauce.
- 4 tablespoons Mama Mia™ Marinara Sauce Mix: Boosts the sauce with authentic Italian flavors and fragrant herbs.
- 8 ounces spaghetti pasta: The fun, unexpected taco filling that pairs perfectly with the sauce.
- 12 stand ‘n stuff hard taco shells: Crisp taco shells hold all the deliciousness and provide a satisfying crunch.
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts on top for creamy, cheesy goodness that ties everything together.
How to Make Mama Mia Spaghetti Tacos Recipe
Step 1: Cook Ground Beef
Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and sprinkle in the Garlic Garlic Seasoning. Cook the beef, breaking it apart with a spatula, until it turns no longer pink. This step develops the savory foundation of your taco filling. Once cooked, drain any excess fat to keep the filling from getting greasy.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
To the skillet with your cooked beef, pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir in the Mama Mia Marinara Sauce Mix. Mix everything well and bring it to a gentle simmer. Lower the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. This simmering lets the flavors meld into a robust and aromatic sauce that will coat your spaghetti perfectly.
Step 3: Cook the Spaghetti
While the sauce simmers, cook your spaghetti pasta according to the package instructions, usually about 8 to 10 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta well to avoid any watery mixture when combined later, and set it aside for the next step.
Step 4: Combine Pasta and Sauce
Once your sauce has thickened slightly and the pasta is ready, stir the spaghetti gently into the skillet with the meat sauce. Mix thoroughly, ensuring each strand of spaghetti is lovingly coated with the rich marinara and beef. This combination is the heart of the Mama Mia Spaghetti Tacos Recipe filling.
Step 5: Assemble the Tacos
Take your hard taco shells and carefully spoon in the spaghetti and meat sauce mixture. Be generous! Then, sprinkle each taco with shredded mozzarella cheese while the filling is hot, so the cheese melts deliciously over the top. These tacos are a total showstopper and guarantee fun bites with every crunch and gooey pull.
How to Serve Mama Mia Spaghetti Tacos Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra burst of freshness and color, top your spaghetti tacos with some chopped fresh basil or parsley. A sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes will add a thrilling little kick if you love spice. Don’t forget a light dusting of grated Parmesan cheese for that classic Italian finish.
Side Dishes
Pairing your Mama Mia Spaghetti Tacos Recipe with a crisp garden salad or a side of garlic bread can really round out the meal. The fresh greens balance the richness of the tacos, while some warm bread invites dipping into any leftover sauce—because that sauce is too good to waste!
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these tacos family-style on a big platter with small bowls of extra cheese, herbs, and hot sauce to let everyone customize their own. For a party, line up the tacos in a taco holder; it’s a great way to keep them upright and make plating look extra impressive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover Mama Mia Spaghetti Tacos Recipe filling, store it separately from the taco shells in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This helps keep the taco shells from getting soggy and maintains the perfect texture when you’re ready to eat again.
Freezing
You can freeze the spaghetti meat sauce mixture for up to 3 months. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. However, taco shells freeze best when kept separate and wrapped well to avoid moisture buildup.
Reheating
To reheat the filling, warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat or microwave it in short bursts, stirring occasionally. Once hot, fill fresh taco shells, top with cheese, and enjoy that amazing melty-cheese experience again just like the first time.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey will work well and is a leaner alternative that still absorbs all the wonderful marinara flavors, making your Mama Mia Spaghetti Tacos Recipe lighter but just as tasty.
What kind of pasta works best for spaghetti tacos?
Traditional spaghetti noodles are ideal because their thin strands fit perfectly into taco shells and get nicely coated in the sauce. You could also try angel hair pasta if you want a lighter texture.
How spicy is the Mama Mia Marinara Sauce Mix?
The sauce mix has a balanced blend of herbs without significant heat, making this recipe kid-friendly. You can always add chili flakes if you want to spice things up.
Can I prepare the filling ahead of time for a party?
Yes! The meat sauce filling can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Just reheat before filling your taco shells to make party prep effortless and stress-free.
Are there any vegetarian options for this recipe?
Definitely! Swap the ground beef for sautéed mushrooms, lentils, or plant-based crumbles to keep the hearty texture while embracing a vegetarian lifestyle, without losing the richness of the Mama Mia Spaghetti Tacos Recipe.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to bring the fun and flavor together in the Mama Mia Spaghetti Tacos Recipe, it’s your turn to make it a new favorite at your table. This dish is the perfect blend of comfort food and playful creativity that turns dinner into a celebration. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be making it again and again!
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Mama Mia Spaghetti Tacos Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
Mama Mia Spaghetti Tacos combine classic Italian flavors with a fun taco twist. Ground beef is cooked with garlic seasoning, simmered in a rich marinara tomato sauce, then tossed with spaghetti and served in crunchy hard taco shells topped with melted mozzarella cheese. This easy, family-friendly meal is ready in just 30 minutes and serves six.
Ingredients
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound 85% lean ground beef
- 1½ tablespoons Garlic Garlic™ Seasoning
Sauce
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 4 tablespoons Mama Mia™ Marinara Sauce Mix
Pasta and Taco Shells
- 8 ounces spaghetti pasta
- 12 stand ‘n stuff hard taco shells
Cheese
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the ground beef with the Garlic Garlic Seasoning until no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat for a leaner sauce.
- Make Sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes and Mama Mia Marinara Sauce Mix to the skillet with the beef. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat and let it cook uncovered for about 10 minutes to develop the flavors.
- Cook Spaghetti: While the sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well to remove all water.
- Combine: Stir the cooked spaghetti directly into the simmering meat sauce until the pasta is fully coated and evenly mixed with the sauce.
- Assemble Tacos: Spoon the spaghetti and meat sauce mixture evenly into the 12 hard taco shells. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of each filled taco.
- Serve: Serve the spaghetti tacos immediately, ideally alongside a fresh garden salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Drain excess fat after cooking the ground beef to reduce grease in the sauce.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce while simmering.
- Use freshly shredded mozzarella for best melting results.
- Serve with a simple garden salad or steamed vegetables to balance the richness of the tacos.
- Leftover spaghetti taco filling can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
