Description
Cowboy Spaghetti is a hearty and flavorful one-skillet dish combining crispy bacon, seasoned ground beef, a rich tomato sauce with fire-roasted and spiced tomatoes, and melted cheddar cheese all tossed with perfectly cooked spaghetti noodles. This comforting American classic delivers a satisfying blend of smoky, spicy, and cheesy elements ideal for a family dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Meat and Bacon
- ½ pound bacon, cut into ½ inch diced pieces (yields approximately ¾ cup cooked bacon)
- 1 pound ground beef, 85%-15% fat content
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
Seasonings and Sauces
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 14.5 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel original brand)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
Pasta and Cheese
- ½ pound spaghetti noodles, cooked and drained according to package directions
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided (1 cup mixed into the sauce and ½ cup to garnish)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons finely sliced green onions (scallions)
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the diced bacon and cook for 12-14 minutes or until the bacon is crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Leave 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.
- Brown Ground Beef and Sauté Aromatics: Increase heat to medium-high and add ground beef, diced onion, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until the beef is browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add Tomato Mixture: Stir in tomato sauce, fire roasted diced tomatoes, diced tomatoes with green chilies, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce to the beef mixture, combining well.
- Simmer Sauce: Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Cook Spaghetti: While the sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti noodles in a large pot of boiling water according to package directions, approximately 9-11 minutes, until al dente. Drain thoroughly.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese: Add the drained spaghetti, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, and cooked bacon to the skillet. Toss everything together until fully combined and the cheese is melted through.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese and sliced green onions over the top. Cover the skillet with a lid for 1-2 minutes if desired to melt the garnish cheese before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of hot sauce or add chopped jalapeños.
- Use freshly grated cheddar cheese for better melting and flavor.
- Drain excess grease from the ground beef to avoid a greasy sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version if preferred.
