This Cowboy Spaghetti is a hearty, one-dish meal packed with bold flavors of bacon, cheese, and a spicy beef tomato sauce. It’s cooked entirely in a cast iron skillet, making it perfect for a quick family dinner or a satisfying weeknight meal.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
- 6 strips bacon
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce (or to taste)
- 8 ounces spaghetti noodles
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Ro-Tel® Original)
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted tomatoes
- 1 (4-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 3 sliced green onions for garnish
Directions:
- Cook bacon in a large cast iron skillet until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté onions in the bacon grease, then add garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook until fragrant.
- Brown the ground beef in the same skillet. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and half the crumbled bacon.
- Scatter the broken spaghetti noodles over the beef mixture, then pour the diced tomatoes, fire-roasted tomatoes, and tomato sauce over the top. Cover and cook for 20 minutes.
- Stir the pasta and sauce, then top with cheese and the remaining bacon. Let the cheese melt before serving, and garnish with green onions.
Nutrition (Per Serving):
- Calories: 520
- Fat: 29g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Protein: 40g
- Sodium: 1406mg
- The Cowboy Spaghetti recipe is a flavorful twist on the traditional spaghetti dish, combining classic Italian elements with bold, hearty ingredients that capture the essence of Southwestern cooking. This dish is ideal for those who enjoy comfort food with a bit of a kick. Here’s a more detailed look into the recipe:
Ingredients Breakdown:
- Bacon: Provides a smoky, savory base for the dish, and adds texture. The crispy bacon is cooked first and used throughout the recipe, both in the sauce and as a topping.
- Onions and Garlic: These ingredients form the aromatic backbone of the dish, giving the sauce depth and a rich, savory flavor.
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef adds heartiness and protein, making the dish filling and satisfying. The beef is cooked until browned, soaking up the flavors of bacon and garlic.
- Tomatoes:
- Fire-Roasted Tomatoes and Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles add a smoky, slightly spicy flavor to the sauce. The green chiles bring some heat, while the tomatoes add acidity and sweetness.
- Tomato Sauce adds body to the dish, making the sauce thicker and more cohesive.
- Beef Broth: Enhances the meaty flavors of the sauce, and adds moisture to help cook the spaghetti.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds umami and a tangy depth of flavor that complements the richness of the beef.
- Hot Sauce: Provides a spicy kick, which can be adjusted to taste. The heat level can be mild or fiery depending on personal preference.
- Spaghetti: The classic pasta base for the dish, but broken into smaller pieces for ease of cooking and mixing with the other ingredients. The spaghetti is cooked directly in the sauce, allowing it to absorb all the flavors.
- Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar brings a rich creaminess to the dish. It contrasts nicely with the spicy, savory elements, and melts into the spaghetti for a luscious texture.
- Green Onions: Used as a garnish, these add a fresh, mildly sharp flavor and a pop of color to the finished dish.
Taste Profile:
This recipe balances smoky, spicy, and savory flavors. The bacon and beef offer a hearty richness, while the tomatoes add tang and sweetness. The hot sauce and green chiles provide a spicy kick, and the cheddar cheese gives a creamy, comforting finish. It’s a dynamic flavor combination that’s both bold and satisfying.
Texture:
The dish has a variety of textures, from the tender pasta and juicy beef to the crispy bacon and gooey melted cheese. The green onions add a fresh crunch, rounding out the dish perfectly.
Serving Suggestions:
- Sides: Serve this Cowboy Spaghetti with a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables to lighten the meal. Garlic bread or cornbread would also pair well, complementing the rich flavors of the dish.
- Toppings: For extra flavor, you can add more toppings like sour cream, extra shredded cheese, jalapeños, or cilantro. These additions can enhance the Tex-Mex vibes of the dish.
Make-Ahead Tips:
This recipe is ideal for meal prep or making ahead for a busy weeknight:
- You can cook the bacon, beef, and sauce mixture ahead of time, and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, reheat the mixture, then add the spaghetti to cook in the sauce.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop. The flavors deepen over time, making it even tastier the next day.
Customizations:
- Different Meats: Instead of ground beef, you can use ground turkey or sausage for a different flavor profile.
- Vegetarian Version: To make this vegetarian, omit the bacon and ground beef, and use plant-based meat substitutes or extra vegetables such as bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini.
- Pasta Alternatives: If you prefer a different pasta shape, you can substitute penne, rigatoni, or even whole wheat pasta for added fiber.
Why You’ll Love This Dish:
- One-Pot Wonder: Everything is cooked in one skillet, reducing cleanup time and making it convenient for a quick meal.
- Family-Friendly: With its hearty, familiar ingredients and a hint of spice, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that both kids and adults will enjoy.
- Bold Flavors: The combination of smoky bacon, savory beef, tangy tomatoes, and spicy kick from the chiles and hot sauce creates an exciting and robust flavor profile.
Perfect for Special Occasions:
- Game Day: This dish is perfect for casual gatherings like game days or cookouts. Its bold flavors and hearty portions make it a hit for feeding a crowd.
- Comfort Food: On a cold night or whenever you’re craving something warm and filling, Cowboy Spaghetti is the perfect comfort food that feels indulgent without being overly complicated.
The Cowboy Spaghetti recipe is a creative fusion of classic Italian spaghetti with bold, Tex-Mex-inspired flavors, making it a delicious twist on a family favorite. Imagine a dish where crispy bacon, spicy beef, and a tangy tomato sauce come together in a single skillet to create a hearty, satisfying meal. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings because it brings the comfort of a pasta dish with the excitement of bold, Southwestern spices.
History and Origins:
The idea behind “Cowboy Spaghetti” draws inspiration from the hearty, robust meals that ranchers or “cowboys” would have enjoyed after a long day on the trail. These meals were often simple but packed with flavor and sustenance. By combining everyday ingredients like bacon, ground beef, and pasta with bold flavors like fire-roasted tomatoes, green chilies, and sharp Cheddar cheese, this dish celebrates the rugged yet delicious essence of cowboy cooking.
Key Flavor Profile:
What sets this spaghetti apart from traditional versions is its rich combination of flavors. Here’s how each ingredient contributes to the final dish:
- Bacon adds a smoky, salty crunch that perfectly complements the tender spaghetti and rich sauce.
- Ground beef brings a hearty, savory element, making the dish filling and protein-packed.
- Diced tomatoes with green chilies give a spicy kick, balanced by the sweetness of fire-roasted tomatoes.
- Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce add a tangy depth and a subtle heat that elevates the entire dish.
- Sharp Cheddar cheese melts into the pasta, adding a creamy, indulgent finish, while the green onions on top give a fresh, crisp bite.
Versatility and Customization:
One of the best things about Cowboy Spaghetti is how easy it is to customize. While the original recipe calls for spaghetti noodles, you can easily swap them out for penne, rigatoni, or even a gluten-free option if needed. The spice level is adjustable too—feel free to add extra hot sauce or more diced chilies if you like it fiery, or keep it mild by using regular diced tomatoes without green chilies.
For those looking to make the dish a bit healthier, you can reduce the amount of bacon or use lean ground turkey instead of beef. Adding extra vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini can also boost the nutrition while maintaining the hearty, cowboy-style flavor.
Cooking Tips:
- Use a cast iron skillet for the best results. The heavy-duty skillet retains heat well and gives the bacon a perfect crisp, while also evenly cooking the pasta and sauce.
- Don’t overcook the pasta. Since the spaghetti cooks directly in the sauce, make sure to monitor it so the noodles remain al dente, absorbing the rich flavors of the beef and tomatoes as they soften.
- Crumble the bacon just before serving to keep it crispy. This adds a contrasting texture to the soft pasta and melty cheese.
Conclusion:
This recipe is a flavorful, rich twist on classic spaghetti with bold cowboy-style ingredients like bacon and spicy tomatoes. Perfect for anyone craving a comforting and filling meal with a kick.