Description
Cowboy Spaghetti is a hearty American main course that combines al dente spaghetti with a flavorful sauce made from ground beef, crispy bacon, tomatoes, and a smoky barbecue twist. Topped with melted cheddar cheese and optionally garnished with green onions or parsley, this dish offers a comforting, savory meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- Salt for boiling water
Meat and Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped green onions or parsley for garnish (optional)
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 the pasta and set it aside.
- Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the bacon fat. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is browned and cooked through.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Make the Sauce: Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes to combine the flavors.
- Combine Spaghetti and Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss well to coat the noodles thoroughly with the sauce.
- Add Bacon and Cheese: Stir in the crispy bacon pieces. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the spaghetti. Cover the skillet and let the cheese melt for a few minutes. Alternatively, transfer the spaghetti to a serving dish, top with cheese and garnish with chopped green onions or parsley.
- Serve: Serve the cowboy spaghetti hot and enjoy this smoky, cheesy comfort food classic.
Notes
- For a smoky kick, substitute chipotle barbecue sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Ground turkey or plant-based crumbles can be used instead of beef for a lighter or vegetarian option.
- This dish reheats well and makes excellent leftovers for meal prep or next-day meals.
