Cowboy Spaghetti
Cowboy Spaghetti is a hearty, flavor-packed comfort food dish that blends smoky bacon, seasoned ground beef, and spaghetti in a bold tomato-based sauce – ready in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
- Spaghetti – 1 pound regular or whole wheat
- Olive oil – 1 tablespoon for sautéing
- Ground beef – 1 pound 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio
- Bacon – 1/2 pound thick-cut recommended
- Onion large – 1 (yellow or white), chopped
- Garlic – 3 cloves minced
- Diced tomatoes – 15 oz can with juice
- Tomato sauce – 8 oz can plain
- Worcestershire sauce – 1/4 cup
- Chili powder – 1 tablespoon adjust to taste
- Ground cumin – 1 teaspoon
- Smoked paprika – 1 teaspoon
- Salt and pepper – to taste
- Cheddar cheese – 1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded
- Fresh parsley – 1/4 cup optional garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Brown the Meats:
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until crisp (3–4 minutes). Add ground beef, cook until browned (5–7 minutes), and drain most of the fat.
- Sauté Aromatics:
- Add chopped onion to the skillet, cooking until softened (about 3–4 minutes). Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Make the Sauce:
- Stir in diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce:
- Add drained spaghetti to the skillet and toss to coat. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Cook 2–3 minutes more.
- Finish and Serve:
- Remove from heat. Sprinkle cheddar cheese over the top, cover skillet for 2–3 minutes to melt cheese. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Add jalapeños or hot sauce for more heat. Substitute ground turkey and turkey bacon for a lighter version. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Great with garlic bread, salad, or steamed vegetables. Can be doubled easily for feeding a crowd.
