Description
Cowboy Spaghetti is a hearty and flavorful one-pan dish combining spaghetti with savory ground beef, smoky bacon, and a rich tomato-based sauce enhanced with barbecue sauce and spices. Topped with melted cheddar cheese and fresh green onions, it’s perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner that packs a punch of smoky, tangy, and cheesy goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti
Meat and Vegetables
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Toppings and Garnish
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- Chopped parsley or cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Cook Bacon: In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp. Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease and set aside.
- Sauté Beef and Onion: Using the same pan with the rendered bacon fat, add ground beef and diced onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is browned and the onions are tender. Drain excess fat if necessary to avoid greasiness.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Prepare Sauce: Add crushed tomatoes, barbecue sauce, tomato paste, smoked paprika, and ground cumin to the pan. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer Sauce: Reduce heat and let the sauce simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld the flavors and thicken the sauce slightly.
- Season and Add Bacon: Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste, then stir the cooked bacon back into the sauce for smoky richness.
- Combine Spaghetti and Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the pan with the sauce and toss thoroughly to ensure every strand is coated in the flavorful sauce.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the spaghetti mixture. Allow the cheese to melt slightly over low heat or place the pan briefly under a broiler to melt and brown the cheese for a bubbly finish.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the dish with sliced green onions and optionally chopped parsley or cilantro for a fresh, vibrant touch. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Adjust the barbecue sauce amount depending on your preferred level of smokiness and sweetness.
- For added heat, consider adding a pinch of chili flakes or cayenne pepper.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
- To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free spaghetti and verify that barbecue sauce is gluten-free.
