Description
Cowboy Spaghetti is a hearty and flavorful pasta dish featuring a savory blend of ground beef, crispy bacon, fire-roasted tomatoes, and tangy BBQ sauce, all tossed with spaghetti and topped with melted cheddar cheese. This comforting meal comes together quickly and delivers a satisfying combination of smoky, tangy, and cheesy flavors perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein
- 1 pound ground beef
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Tomatoes and Sauces
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1/3 cup BBQ sauce
Dairy
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Extras and Seasonings
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
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, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon using a slotted spoon and set it aside, leaving 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the diced onion to the pan with the bacon fat and sauté until translucent and soft, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until fully browned and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
- Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and BBQ sauce into the beef mixture. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to meld. If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen.
- Toss Spaghetti with Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti directly into the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat the pasta in the sauce evenly.
- Finish with Bacon and Cheese: Stir in the crispy bacon pieces and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix gently until the cheese melts and becomes creamy within the hot pasta and sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: If desired, sprinkle chopped parsley over the top for a fresh herbal note. Serve the Cowboy Spaghetti hot and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed—this helps bind the sauce to the spaghetti.
- For extra smoky flavor, use smoked cheddar or add smoked paprika to the sauce.
- Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- This dish reheats well and is great for leftovers the next day.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes during the sauté step for some heat if desired.
