Description
Cowboy Spaghetti is a hearty and flavorful American main course combining tender spaghetti with a rich sauce of ground beef, smoky bacon, fire-roasted tomatoes, and sharp cheddar cheese. This easy stovetop dish offers a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and cheesy flavors, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghetti and Sauce
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain well and set aside.
- Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove bacon pieces and set aside, leaving some of the rendered fat in the pan for flavor.
- Sauté Ground Beef and Onions: Add ground beef and diced onion to the skillet and cook, breaking up the meat, until beef is fully browned and onions are soft, about 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Prepare the Sauce: Stir in fire-roasted diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce if using. Season with smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to combine everything evenly. Stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese until it melts smoothly into the pasta and sauce mixture.
- Serve: Plate the cowboy spaghetti while hot, then top with the remaining cheddar cheese, crispy bacon bits, and chopped green onions for added flavor and a fresh finish.
Notes
- You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or bison to vary the protein content.
- For extra heat, add diced jalapeños into the sauce or swap regular bacon with spicy sausage.
- This dish reheats well and freezes easily, making it great for leftovers and meal prepping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 660 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
