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

Cowboy Spaghetti (Easy Recipe) (5)

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 5 steps? ›

  1. Fill a large saucepan with water, put the lid on and bring to the boil over a high heat.
  2. Add a good pinch of sea salt.
  3. Once the water is boiling, stir in the pasta.
  4. Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions. ...
  5. Scoop out a mugful of the starchy cooking water and set aside.
Dec 12, 2019

How to make spaghetti at home better? ›

How to make good spaghetti at home - Quora. I use noodles that absorb the water and add flavor including lots of spices (oregano, basil, cayenne, chili powder, jalepno seeds and others) a little bit of salt and a small amount of honey to the water. I also add extra basil and fresh garlic to Prego sauce.

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.

What to put in spaghetti to make it taste better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Canned Spaghetti Sauce
  1. 1 - Extra virgin olive oil. Adding a good amount of a flavorful olive oil will go a long way in infusing flavor into your sauce. ...
  2. 2 - Fresh garlic. ...
  3. 3 - Meat. ...
  4. 4 - Hot pepper flakes. ...
  5. 5 - Red wine. ...
  6. 6 - Fresh or dried herbs. ...
  7. 7 - Cheese. ...
  8. 8 - Cream and/or butter.
Feb 26, 2018

Does homemade spaghetti taste better? ›

Most food critics will tell you that homemade pasta is always better than store bought. However, it's important to remember that making pasta is an exact science, and it may take a few batches before you get your ratios right. Do a few test runs when making homemade pasta to make sure you have the recipe correct.

How to season meat for spaghetti? ›

Use salt and pepper to season ground beef, turkey, or pork. Add garlic, onions, bell peppers, oregano, basil, parsley, or Italian seasoning for extra flavor. Stir red pepper flakes, chili powder, or hot sauce into the meat for a spicy kick.

How to make sauce stick to spaghetti? ›

Step 4: Before draining the pasta, reserve at least half a cup of the water it cooked in. This water, plus the starch left behind from the boiling pasta, can act as a handy glue for finishing sauces.

Why put Worcestershire sauce in 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 is the secret to good sauce? ›

Texture-wise, fat adds a rich, mouth-coating feel to a sauce, both when it's broken out of the sauce on its own, and when it is emulsified with the sauce's liquid phase, making the whole thing creamier. Add a bit of butter in there as well.

Do Italians put sugar in spaghetti sauce? ›

It is widely held that Italian immigrants began adding sugar to their sauce to make up for the overly acidic tomatoes they were forced to work with in their new home. But the history of sugar in pasta sauce actually goes back to Italy itself.

What can I add to my jar of spaghetti sauce? ›

Stir in some freshness.

Fresh herbs make all the difference in any pasta sauce, so if you have some lying around, they will really perk up a jarred sauce. Obviously, basil is classic, but thyme, rosemary, sage, marjoram, and oregano are all great in pasta sauce. Fresh parsley also makes anything sing, as do chives.

What gives spaghetti sauce depth of flavor? ›

Briny ingredients like olives or capers are another way to brighten up your pasta sauce while also introducing texture and depth of flavor. Roughly chop a handful and stir them into your sauce while it's heating up on the stove.

What to put on pasta when you have no sauce? ›

Cheese is an excellent way to add flavor to your pasta without having to rely on sauce. Try mixing your angel hair pasta with goat cheese, and toss in sun-dried tomatoes to make an amazing meal with just a few ingredients. Garlic butter is a terrific way to season all types of noodles.

How to make pasta in 4 steps? ›

Follow These Steps
  1. Boil water in a large pot. To prevent pasta from sticking together, use at least 4 quarts of water for every pound of noodles.
  2. Salt the water with at least 1 tablespoon, and more is fine. The salty water adds flavor to the pasta.
  3. Add pasta. ...
  4. Stir occasionally. ...
  5. Test the pasta by tasting it. ...
  6. Drain.
Aug 2, 2022

What is number 5 spaghetti pasta? ›

5 Pasta is a high-quality pasta made from durum wheat semolina. It is one of the most popular types of pasta worldwide and is known for its long thin shape and delicate texture. This 500g pack is perfect for creating delicious spaghetti dishes whether you prefer classic tomato sauce pesto or carbonara.

What is a number 5 spaghetti? ›

Spaghetti #5 is the normal size, and spaghetti #8 (spaghettoni) are thicker; there are also spaghetti #3 (which in Italy are called spaghettini). Normal spaghetti are always #5, but the thickness depends from the brand, in the same way shirt sizes depend from the brand.

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.

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