Description
Cowboy Spaghetti is a hearty American stovetop dish combining spaghetti with a flavorful mix of bacon, ground beef, diced tomatoes, and a tangy barbecue sauce. Topped with melted cheddar cheese and garnished with green onions or parsley, this dish offers a smoky, savory twist on classic pasta, perfect for a comforting family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghetti
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Meat and Bacon
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato and Sauces
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Seasonings
- 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 Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Bacon: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon pieces and set them aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
- Brown Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the bacon fat. Cook over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon until browned and cooked through.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add the diced yellow onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Sauces and Seasonings: Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes so the flavors meld together.
- Combine Spaghetti and Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Add Bacon and Cheese: Stir in the crispy bacon pieces. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Cover the skillet and allow the cheese to melt. Alternatively, transfer the mixture to a serving dish, top with cheese and garnish with chopped green onions or parsley.
- Serve: Serve the cowboy spaghetti hot for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Notes
- For a smoky kick, substitute chipotle barbecue sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- You can replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian option.
- This dish reheats well and makes great leftovers for next-day meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
