Cowboy Spaghetti (Easy Recipe) (2024)

Last Updated on: February 27, 2024

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Cowboy spaghetti is a bold twist on classic spaghetti bolognese.

Loaded with ground beef and bacon, it brings a hearty and rustic flair to your dinner table.

It’s one of those spaghetti recipes you’ll turn to again and again. And one that’ll make the kids lick their plates clean.

Cowboy Spaghetti (Easy Recipe) (1)

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What Is Cowboy Spaghetti?

Cowboy spaghetti is like a smoky, meaty, Americanized version of traditional spaghetti.

It features a robust sauce made with fire-roasted tomatoes, ground beef, and crispy bacon.

Better yet, it gets a fiery kick from hot sauce and umami goodness from the Worcestershire sauce.

Finish it with a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese, and you won’t be able to resist a second serving.

Ingredients

The full recipe with measurements is at the bottom of the post. But here’s what you’ll need, at a glance:

  • Spaghetti: You could serve this with penne or fettuccine, but I think spaghetti works best. Feel free to experiment and let me know!
  • Olive Oil, Onion, and Garlic: The first key elements that form the aromatic base.
  • Bacon and Ground Beef: Bacon adds a smoky flavor, while lean ground beef makes the dish satisfyingly hearty.
  • Fire-Roasted Tomatoes and Tomato Sauce: Fire-roasted tomatoes add a subtle smokiness, while tomato sauce provides the classic spaghetti sauce taste.
  • Beef Broth: To enhance the meaty flavor and make the sauce more robust.
  • Worcestershire Sauce and Hot Sauce: For a unique, umami taste with a nice layer of heat.
  • Salt & Pepper: To taste.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Melted into the hot spaghetti, it creates a deliciously gooey texture.
  • Parsley or Green Onions: For a fresh, colorful finishing touch.
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How to Make Cowboy Spaghetti

Cowboy spaghetti is a fun way to add a twist to your regular pasta dinner.

Here’s how to make it:

1. Fry the bacon until it’s crispy, then remove it from the pan.

2. Cook the aromatics and brown the beef in the same skillet, using the bacon grease. Cook the onions until tender, then add the beef and cook until brown. Finally, add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute.

3. Make the sauce. Add the tomatoes, broth, and seasonings, then simmer for about 10 minutes.

4. Cook the spaghetti. While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta to al dente, per the package instructions.

5. Mix it all together. Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the beef and sauce. Toss/stir until well coated.

6. Sprinkle the cheese over the spaghetti and stir again until it’s melted.

7. Serve and garnish. Serve the spaghetti in bowls and top with the bacon and chopped fresh parsley or green onions. Enjoy!

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Recipe Variations

Cowboy spaghetti is a versatile dish that’s perfect for tweaking to your taste or pantry supplies.

Here are a few ideas:

  • Add mix-ins: Add beans, corn, mushrooms, olives – whatever you think works!
  • Adjust the spice level: Amp up the heat with jalapenos, chili flakes, or more hot sauce.
  • Cool it down: For a milder version, use regular tomatoes instead of fire-roasted and skip the hot sauce. Or add some room-temperature cream cheese to the sauce.
  • Use different proteins: Try ground turkey or pork for a different flavor. Or try it with leftover chicken.
  • Try different cheese and seasonings: Go for mozzarella or pepper jack. Or add herbs like thyme, basil, or even smoked paprika.

How to Store

I doubt you’ll have a lot left over after this tasty family dinner. But if you do, it’s easy to store for later.

Just keep in mind, it’s best to save the sauce and then make fresh pasta when you need it.

To Store: Place cold leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

To Freeze (Just the Sauce): Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.Do not freeze the pasta.

To Reheat: Thaw frozen sauce in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat with a splash of water. Serve with freshly cooked spaghetti.

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If you save the sauce with the spaghetti, reheat it in a skillet with some water. The pasta will have absorbed a lot of moisture, so it will need a bit extra.

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Cowboy Spaghetti Serving Suggestions

Cowboy spaghetti is great on its own, but it hits new heights with the right pasta side dishes.

  • Garlic Bread: The buttery, garlicky flavor, and crunchy texture complement the rich, meaty spaghetti perfectly.
  • Cornbread: A hint of sweet, comforting deliciousness to mop up the excess sauce.
  • Ramen Noodle Asian Salad: For a crunchy, tangy element.
  • Roasted Asparagus: A simple yet flavorful side you can feel good about devouring.

More Easy Pasta Recipes

Baked Rigatoni Pasta
Cajun Chicken Pasta
Gigi Hadid Pasta
Chicken Florentine Pasta
Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

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Cowboy Spaghetti

Course: Main Course, DinnerCuisine: American

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Calories

575

kcal

Cowboy spaghetti is a bold twist on classic spaghetti bolognese. Loaded with ground beef and bacon, it brings a hearty and rustic flair to your dinner table.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound dry spaghetti

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 4 slices bacon, chopped

  • 1 pound lean ground beef

  • 1 medium onion, chopped

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 15 ounce can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes

  • 8 ounce can tomato sauce

  • 1/2 cup beef broth

  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce, optional

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

  • chopped fresh parsley or green onions for garnish, optional

Instructions

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, fry the bacon until crispy. Remove it from the pan and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, cook the onions until tender. Then add the beef and cook for 3-4 minutes or until browned. Mix in the garlic and cook until fragrant.
  • Add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir well, reduce the heat to low, and leave to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • While the sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of well-salted water. Cook to al dente per the package instructions, then drain.
  • When the sauce has thickened slightly, add the cooked spaghetti and toss until well coated. Sprinkle the cheese over the top and stir until melted.
  • Serve cowboy spaghetti with crispy bacon and chopped fresh parsley or green onions on top. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Make it extra filling with kidney or black beans, chopped bell peppers, or veggies like mushrooms, corn, and zucchini.
  • Amp up the sauce with cumin, oregano, or chili powder. Or add more hot sauce if you want it fiery.
  • For a richer flavor, use a combination of ground beef and ground sausage.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 575kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 66g
  • Protein: 28.2g
  • Fat: 22.5g
  • Saturated Fat: 10.6g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg
  • Sodium: 776mg
  • Potassium: 246mg
  • Fiber: 11.9g
  • Sugar: 19g
  • Calcium: 541mg
  • Iron: 14mg
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Cowboy Spaghetti (Easy Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

How to make spaghetti in 10 steps? ›

How To Cook Pasta: 10 Tips And Tricks
  1. DON'T put oil in your water or on your pasta. ...
  2. Fill your pot properly. ...
  3. Salt your water like the sea. ...
  4. Bring water to a rapid boil before adding the pasta. ...
  5. Drop and stir. ...
  6. Check the package for timing. ...
  7. Always save some cooking water. ...
  8. Drain don't dry.
Oct 20, 2023

How to make simple spaghetti better? ›

To enhance the flavor of your spaghetti sauce, you can add fresh vegetables, greens, and fresh herbs like basil and parsley. You can also add diced onions, fresh garlic, and red/green pepper. A splash of red wine or some dairy, such as cheese, also works great. Lastly, don't forget salt.

What is the one ingredient that makes spaghetti sauce so much better? ›

Nutmeg. Nutmeg is the key to boosting earthiness and adding a touch of nuttiness to your spaghetti sauce. Nutmeg also has a slightly sweet flavor, which we know goes great with acidic canned tomatoes. Overall, it accentuates the other ingredients in the sauce and adds complexity.

How is quick cook spaghetti made? ›

But what I was told is quick cook or fast cook pasta is either precooked then dried and you are just rehydrating it when you boil it, or it is made with tiny score marks to let the boiling water penetrate it and cook it faster.

How to make spaghetti noodles for dummies? ›

Once the water has come up to a boil, you can throw the spaghetti in. Typically it should cook within 7-11 minutes - just follow the time on the box! Make sure to stir every couple minutes to keep it from sticking.

How to make spaghetti like a pro? ›

As a general rule of thumb, use 3-4 quarts of water & 1-1 1/2 tablespoons salt per pound of pasta. Add the pasta and cook to al dente according to package directions. Just before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside – do not rinse the pasta.

What is the secret to good spaghetti? ›

IF YOU COOK spaghetti in a big pot of water, drain it, then toss it with sauce, you are pouring a lot of flavor down the drain, says Vendemmia chef Brian Clevenger. “The trick to good pasta is cooking it in the sauce,” he says. It was while working at Delfina in San Francisco that he really started to understand why.

What brings out spaghetti flavor? ›

Red pepper flakes, dehydrated or fresh garlic, dried oregano, parsley, or basil, or an Italian seasoning blend are all good options. Dried herbs and spices should be added at the beginning of the cook time so that they have time to bloom.

Why add Worcestershire sauce to spaghetti sauce? ›

If you do not have crushed or diced tomatoes, you can use tomato sauce and tomato paste instead. If using tomato paste, you will need to add 1 cup of water and allow the sauce to simmer. Worcestershire sauce – (Optional) Deepens the flavor of the sauce.

What to add to spaghetti sauce to make it amazing? ›

Liven up a jar of spaghetti sauce with fresh herbs. Add basil, thyme or oregano when the sauce is almost heated through, or use the herbs as a garnish for the plated dish. If you don't have fresh herbs on hand, dried herbs work, too.

What is number 5 spaghetti pasta? ›

5 Spaghetti Pasta is a high-quality pasta made from durum wheat semolina. It is one of the most popular pasta shapes in Italy and is loved for its versatility and ability to hold sauce well.

How long do you cook spaghetti no 5? ›

Popular with gourmets of all stripes, even vegetarians and vegans! Note: The manufacturer recommends a cooking time of 10 minutes for an "al dente" texture. It does not contain eggs but traces of egg may still be present in the final product due to the production process.

How much spaghetti do you cook for 5 people? ›

When you cook pasta, 2 ounces (56 g) of dry pasta per person is a good rule of thumb to follow.

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