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

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

How to make jar spaghetti sauce taste better? ›

7 Ways to Improve the Taste of Jar Pasta Sauce
  1. Sautee Some Veggies. The first step to making your jar sauce better is to sautee some garlic in olive oil on your stovetop. ...
  2. Mix in Some Meat. ...
  3. Add a Splash of Red Wine. ...
  4. Spice It Up. ...
  5. Get Cheesy. ...
  6. Stir in More Dairy. ...
  7. Pop It in the Oven.

Can you add heavy cream to jar pasta sauce? ›

Stir in a few spoonfuls of heavy cream. Or finish the sauce with butter, à la the much-loved Marcella Hazan method. You could also fold a few handfuls of grated Parmesan or other hard cheese into the simmering sauce.

What does adding butter to tomato sauce do? ›

The addition of butter helps to loosen and emulsify the sauce, making it smooth and creamy.

What is the secret to good spaghetti? ›

For the best spaghetti, cook it in salted water.

Pasta water should taste salty. I add a lot of salt to our pasta water (it makes the pasta taste delicious). I add about one tablespoon of salt for every four quarts (16 cups) of water, which is perfect for cooking one pound of pasta.

How to deepen the flavor of spaghetti sauce? ›

Fresh garlic: Mince or crush some fresh garlic and add it to the sauce. This will give the sauce a more pungent and aromatic flavor. Dried herbs: Dried oregano, basil, and parsley are all classic Italian herbs that go well in spaghetti sauce. Add 1/2 teaspoon of each to the sauce.

How to doctor up store bought spaghetti sauce? ›

13 Ways to Make Any Jarred Pasta Sauce Better
  1. Start with the right pasta and sauce. ...
  2. Season with dried herbs. ...
  3. Or flavor with fresh herb sprigs. ...
  4. Double up on tomato goodness. ...
  5. Add more garlic and/or onions. ...
  6. Sweeten and thicken with squash purée. ...
  7. Punch things up with a pinch of chili flakes. ...
  8. Try this secret ingredient.
Dec 9, 2022

What spices to add to store-bought spaghetti sauce? ›

Red pepper flakes, dehydrated or fresh garlic, dried oregano, parsley, or basil, or an Italian seasoning blend are all good options. Dried herbs and spices should be added at the beginning of the cook time so that they have time to bloom.

Should you add sugar to jarred spaghetti sauce? ›

Sweeten things up with a little sugar.

If your jarred tomato sauce is too acidic, consider adding a pinch or two of sugar (after all, it makes the medicine go down!). Jarred sauces can sometimes make you pucker, lacking the sought-after balance of a homemade sauce.

Should I add parmesan cheese to spaghetti sauce? ›

Hard Cheeses: A half cup of grated parmesan, pecorino, or other hard cheese adds a deep savory note to the sauce.

What happens if you use milk instead of heavy cream in pasta? ›

But milk won't whip like heavy cream. Can I use milk instead of heavy cream in pasta? Yes. Use whole milk and stir in a flour-butter mixture to thicken and enrich pasta dishes instead of heavy cream.

Is heavy cream and heavy whipping cream the same thing? ›

Is Heavy Cream the Same as Heavy Whipping Cream? Yes, heavy cream and heavy whipping cream are the exact same thing. The confusion lies in the fact that they're sold by different brands under two different names.

How to jazz up spaghetti? ›

To enhance the flavor of your spaghetti sauce, you can add fresh vegetables, greens, and fresh herbs like basil and parsley. You can also add diced onions, fresh garlic, and red/green pepper. A splash of red wine or some dairy, such as cheese, also works great. Lastly, don't forget salt.

What type of onion for spaghetti sauce? ›

What kind of onion do you use for spaghetti sauce? When considering the flavors of a tomato-based spaghetti sauce, tomatoes tend to be a little sweet but also quite sharp and acidic. The best onion to use would be a yellow onion or sweet onion.

How to make prego spaghetti sauce better? ›

The secret to great sauce lies in proportions, cook times, and any additions to that basic formula — all of which change its texture and flavor.
  1. Toss in fresh or dried herbs. ...
  2. Sautée garlic and onions. ...
  3. Chop up some vegetables. ...
  4. Add some heat. ...
  5. Stir in cheese or cream. ...
  6. Add meat or meat alternatives.
Jul 6, 2022

What makes spaghetti noodles taste better? ›

STEP ONE. Only partially cook dry pasta. In a pot of abundantly salted boiling water, cook dry pasta for only half or three-quarters of the recommended time. The timing depends on the brand, shape and size; I recommend reading the back of the package instructions.

How do you fix tasteless spaghetti? ›

Focus on the primary tastes or dip in to the Herbs/Spices. A really simple way to fix a tasteless spaghetti sauce is give it more depth, this canbe achieved with more tomato puree as well as salt and pepper. On top of that adding Bay Leaves, Italian Herbs, Stock (I tend to use Vegetable Boullion and a Mushroom stock).

How do you spice up spaghetti dinner? ›

Try adding some dashes of worcestershire to the sauce. Try adding 1/2 cup of chianti wine to the sauce for a rich flavor. Sautee some garlic and red pepper flakes to you liking, preferably in olive oil A few anchovies thrown in would be great...Cook and rinse spaghetti, toss with the sauce .

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.

References

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