Description
Cowboy Spaghetti is a hearty, flavorful pasta dish featuring ground beef, bacon, and a smoky tomato sauce seasoned with chili powder and cumin. Topped with melted cheddar cheese and fresh parsley, it’s a comforting one-pan meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound spaghetti
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound bacon, chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Brown Meats: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped bacon, cooking and stirring until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the meats. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Prepare Sauce: Stir in the diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly. Cook together for an additional 2-3 minutes to let the flavors infuse.
- Add Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the pasta mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and allow the residual heat to melt the cheese for a few minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley on top for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
- Adjust chili powder and paprika to suit your preferred spice level.
- For a smoky flavor, use smoked bacon and smoked paprika as noted.
- Leftovers can be reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- To make it gluten-free, substitute regular spaghetti with gluten-free pasta.
