Description
Cowboy Spaghetti is a hearty American main course that combines al dente spaghetti with a smoky, flavorful sauce made from ground beef, crispy bacon, diced tomatoes, and barbecue sauce, topped with cheddar cheese and fresh parsley. This family-friendly dish delivers a perfect balance of savory and slightly sweet flavors ideal for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghetti
- 12 oz spaghetti
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Toppings
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Cook Bacon: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside, leaving some rendered fat in the pan.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onion: Add the ground beef and diced onion to the skillet with the bacon fat. Cook over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onion is soft and translucent.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Simmer Sauce: Drain any excess fat from the skillet. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine and let the sauce simmer for 5 to 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Toss Spaghetti with Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat the pasta with the sauce.
- Serve: Plate the spaghetti and top with the crispy bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately for a delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- Use your favorite barbecue sauce to adjust the sweetness or smokiness to your preference.
- This dish has a hearty, slightly smoky flavor beloved by both kids and adults.
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños when adding the garlic.
