Looking for a pasta dish that’s bold, meaty, and unapologetically crowd-pleasing? This Cowboy Spaghetti Recipe is everything you love about comfort food, all rolled into one cowboy-approved bowl. Imagine the savory richness of beef and bacon, the tangy sweetness of barbecue sauce, and gooey, melty cheddar cheese—tossed together with perfectly cooked spaghetti. It’s a rustic twist on classic pasta night, guaranteed to fill your kitchen with smiles and satisfy even the hungriest crew.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Cowboy Spaghetti Recipe plays a starring role, adding smoky depth, sweetness, or even just a pop of fresh color. These simple staples come together in a way that’s much greater than the sum of their parts—with pantry basics that deliver bold flavor in every forkful!
- Spaghetti (12 ounces): The sturdy base soaks up the sauce and keeps every bite perfectly toothsome.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Use for sautéing the bacon and beef, adding richness and helping flavors meld.
- Bacon (4 slices, chopped): Provides smoky, salty crunch; thick-cut works best for hearty bites.
- Ground beef (1 pound): The star protein that turns this from regular spaghetti into a real cowboy feast.
- Onion (1 small, chopped): Gives the sauce subtle sweetness and depth—don’t skip it.
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Brings that irresistible, savory aroma; fresh garlic is best here.
- Diced tomatoes (1 can, 14.5 oz, undrained): They add juiciness and a hint of acidity to balance out the richness.
- Ketchup (1/2 cup): A classic cowboy shortcut that lends sweetness and tang.
- Barbecue sauce (1/4 cup): Use your favorite variety—smoky, spicy, or sweet all work!
- Worcestershire sauce (1 tablespoon): Adds savory umami and a touch of complexity to the sauce.
- Chili powder (1 teaspoon): Delivers warmth and that unmistakable southwestern vibe.
- Smoked paprika (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances smokiness—if you don’t have it, regular paprika is fine.
- Salt and black pepper, to taste: Essential for balancing and sharpening all the flavors.
- Shredded cheddar cheese (1 cup): For melty, gooey, creamy goodness on top.
- Green onions (2, sliced, for garnish): Add fresh color and a pop of zesty flavor right before serving.
How to Make Cowboy Spaghetti Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Spaghetti
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Drop in your spaghetti and cook until just al dente, stirring occasionally. Drain thoroughly and set aside—don’t forget to reserve a bit of pasta water just in case you want to loosen your sauce later.
Step 2: Crisp the Bacon
In a roomy skillet, heat the olive oil over medium. Add the chopped bacon and let it sizzle until it’s deeply golden and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to scoop the bacon out, making sure to leave all that flavorful fat in the pan; this is where the magic happens!
Step 3: Brown the Beef
Toss the ground beef right into the bacon goodness and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until nicely browned. If there’s a lot of excess grease, carefully drain it off so your Cowboy Spaghetti Recipe stays hearty without getting greasy.
Step 4: Soften the Onion and Garlic
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to your browned beef, stirring for 2 to 3 minutes. The kitchen will start to smell irresistible—this is when you know you’re headed in the right direction!
Step 5: Build the Sauce
Pour in the undrained tomatoes, ketchup, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Give everything a thorough stir, then let the sauce bubble away for 8 to 10 minutes. This step brings all those flavors together into pure dinnertime comfort.
Step 6: Toss with Spaghetti
Add your cooked spaghetti into the skillet, tossing gently so every strand is coated with the savory, tangy sauce. If the mixture looks a little stiff, a splash of reserved pasta water will do the trick to loosen it.
Step 7: Finish with Cheese and Bacon
Sprinkle in the shredded cheddar cheese and reserved bacon pieces. Let the pan sit, covered, for about 2 minutes—just enough time for the cheese to melt into gooey perfection and the bacon to stay crunchy against all that sauce.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Tumble everything into big bowls and top with sliced green onions for color and a final kick of flavor. Serve hot, and watch everyone dig in!
How to Serve Cowboy Spaghetti Recipe
Garnishes
A Cowboy Spaghetti Recipe feels incomplete without a sprinkle of something fresh on top. Sliced green onions bring a little zip that cuts through the richness, but you could also try chopped parsley, diced jalapeños for extra heat, or even a little extra shredded cheese if you’re feeling indulgent. A dash of hot sauce at the table is a fun touch, too!
Side Dishes
This bold pasta loves a crisp salad—think romaine, tomatoes, cucumber, and ranch for a refreshing balance. Cornbread muffins or warm Texas toast are practically required for soaking up the extra sauce. For a true cowboy feast, serve with grilled corn on the cob or roasted veggies.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re in the mood to impress, pile your Cowboy Spaghetti Recipe high in a big cast iron skillet straight from the stove. For family-style fun, let everyone garnish their own bowls with toppings like crispy jalapeños or pickled onions. Or, try serving the pasta as a filling for stuffed bell peppers—it’s a hearty twist that travels well for potlucks!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Got leftovers? Cowboy Spaghetti Recipe holds up beautifully in the fridge. Simply transfer any extra to an airtight container—once cooled—and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making leftovers just as tempting as the first serving.
Freezing
Want to prep ahead for a busy week? Let your Cowboy Spaghetti Recipe cool fully, then portion into freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for a quick and hearty dinner.
Reheating
Warm your chilled (or thawed) spaghetti gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or a bit more barbecue sauce to keep everything luscious. Stir frequently, and re-top with some fresh green onions or cheese to revive the flavors.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Main Course
Absolutely! While traditional spaghetti is classic, you can swap in any long noodle—linguine, bucatini, or even whole wheat varieties work great. Short shapes like penne or rotini are delicious too, especially for grabbing onto that chunky sauce.
Is there a way to make this Cowboy Spaghetti Recipe spicier?
Definitely—add chopped fresh jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce. A splash of hot sauce also brings extra heat and a southern kick, so feel free to customize to your preference.
What barbecue sauce is best for this recipe?
It really comes down to your favorite! Smoky, tangy, sweet, or spicy all shine in Cowboy Spaghetti Recipe. You can even mix two sauces together for a signature blend—just taste and adjust as you go.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Sure thing. Skip the cheese (or use a good dairy-free alternative), and your Cowboy Spaghetti Recipe will still be hearty and flavorful. Make sure your barbecue sauce is dairy-free as well if you’re sensitive.
Can I prepare part of this ahead of time?
Yes! You can cook the bacon and beef mixture, prepare the sauce, and store it in the fridge a day ahead. When ready to serve, just cook the spaghetti, reheat the sauce, and combine everything. It makes dinnertime prep extra speedy.
Final Thoughts
This Cowboy Spaghetti Recipe is the kind of dish you’ll reach for when you need a little comfort, a lot of flavor, and a meal that feeds your favorite people with flair. Give it a try—you might just find it becomes your new favorite, too!
Print
Cowboy Spaghetti Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Cowboy Spaghetti recipe is a hearty and flavorful twist on traditional pasta, featuring a savory combination of ground beef, bacon, and a tangy BBQ sauce. It’s a satisfying meal that’s perfect for a cozy family dinner.
Ingredients
Spaghetti:
- 12 ounces spaghetti
Beef Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti: Boil spaghetti until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: In a skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon, then brown ground beef. Add onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, ketchup, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, spices, salt, and pepper. Simmer.
- Combine: Toss cooked spaghetti in the sauce. Top with cheddar cheese and reserved bacon. Let cheese melt. Garnish with green onions.
Notes
- For a twist, use smoked sausage instead of bacon.
- To add spice, sprinkle with cayenne or hot sauce.
- This dish reheats well for lunch the next day.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
