Move over traditional spaghetti and meatballs – there's a new sheriff in town! This easy cowboy spaghetti recipe transforms your typical pasta dinner into a hearty, southwestern-inspired feast that'll have everyone at the table asking for seconds.
Imagine your favorite spaghetti getting a bold makeover with crispy bacon, fire-roasted tomatoes, and a kick of heat from green chiles. This one-pot cowboy spaghetti recipe isn't just another pasta dish; it's a celebration of bold flavors that comes together in just 35 minutes.
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🗝️ Recipe's key points
- You can make this one-pot cowboy spaghetti in just 35 minutes - perfect for those nights when you're tired but still want something that'll stick to your ribs.
- Crispy bacon + ground beef + brown ale = amazing! Trust me, the fire-roasted tomatoes take it to a whole new level of yum.
- Got random veggies hanging out in your fridge? Toss 'em in! Peppers, celery, extra onions - they'll all taste great in here.
- No fancy ingredients needed - just grab what's already in your pantry and fridge. This is the kind of recipe that doesn't need a special shopping trip.
- Make extra because it tastes even better the next day. Seriously, the flavors get even more delicious overnight.
This easy cowboy spaghetti is comfort food with a kick. It's the kind of recipe that'll have everyone coming back for seconds, and you'll love how simple it is to throw together. This pasta is always a hit!
🛒 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
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- Spaghetti - Regular or thick spaghetti works best here. Thin spaghetti can get mushy, so avoid angel hair pasta. In a pinch, fettuccine or linguine work great too!
- Bacon - This is your flavor foundation. Thick-cut gives you better crispy bits and more drippings for cooking. Turkey bacon works but won't give you those precious drippings.
- Ground beef - The lean-to-fat ratio matters here! Too lean and it's dry, too fatty and your sauce gets greasy. Can't find 90/10? 85/15 works too.
- Alliums - onion, garlic, scallions
- Seasoning - chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, fresh oregano, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce
- Canned fire-roasted tomatoes - These add a subtle smoky flavor you can't get from regular canned tomatoes. If you can't find fire-roasted, regular work fine - just add a tiny pinch of smoked paprika.
- Tomato sauce - Plain is perfect here since we're adding our own seasonings. Look for no-salt-added if you like to control the salt level.
- Ro-Tel tomatoes - These bring the heat! Choose mild or hot based on your family's spice preference. Regular diced tomatoes + a small can of diced green chiles work too.
- Brown ale - Don't skip this! It adds amazing depth to the sauce. Not a beer fan? Use beef broth plus a splash of Worcestershire sauce instead.
- Dark kidney beans - These make it extra hearty. Black beans or pinto beans can pinch-hit here.
- Sharp cheddar cheese - The sharper the better for maximum flavor. Pre-shredded is convenient but freshly grated melts better.
- Sour cream - Adds a bit of creaminess to each serving. Use plain Greek yogurt if that's what you have.
🗒 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Get your pasta going first. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Don't forget to save a cup of pasta water before draining!
- While the pasta cooks, chop up those bacon slices and cook them in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until they're nice and crispy (about 11 minutes).
- Fish out the bacon with a slotted spoon and let it drain on some paper towels.
- Leave about 2 tablespoons of that bacon fat in the pot. Crank up the heat to medium-high and add your ground beef.
- Break it up with a wooden spoon and let it brown for about 6 minutes.
- Toss in your chopped onion, minced garlic, and a teaspoon of salt and pepper. Let everything cook together until the onion gets soft and translucent (about 4 minutes).
- Time for the spices! Add your chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, cumin, and garlic powder. Keep stirring for about a minute.
- Pour in that brown ale and let it bubble away for 2 minutes, scraping up all those tasty browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Now add both kinds of tomatoes, the kidney beans, tomato sauce, and another teaspoon of salt. Give everything a good stir.
- Let this mixture come to a simmer, then turn the heat down to medium and let it cook for about 5 minutes until it starts to thicken up. While that's simmering, chop up your scallions and shred your cheese if you haven't already.
- Once your sauce has thickened a bit, stir in the hot sauce. Start with a little - you can always add more later! Add your cooked spaghetti to the pot and toss everything together until the pasta is coated in all that saucy goodness. If it seems a little dry, splash in some of that reserved pasta water.
- The final touch - divide into bowls and top with the crispy bacon, shredded cheddar, and scallions. Add a dollop of sour cream if you're feeling fancy!
🥫 Storage
Got leftovers? Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Just leave the toppings off if you're freezing - they're best added fresh when serving.
When reheating, add a splash of water to keep the pasta from drying out, then warm it up slowly, stirring occasionally.
📚 Variations
- Pasta: Swap the spaghetti with whole wheat, fettuccini, pappardelle, or other types.
- Bacon: Substitute with chorizo, pancetta, or turkey bacon.
- Ground beef: Use ground turkey, pork, chicken, or sausage in its place.
- Heat: Add chipotle powder or smoked paprika in the place of chili powder if preferred.
- Oregano: Use fresh cilantro or parsley.
- Beer: Opt for a stout or porter for additional richness or a light lager for a more mild addition.
- Tomato: Swap the fire-roasted tomatoes and diced tomatoes with green chiles with whole peeled tomatoes.
- Beans: You can also use black beans, pinto beans, or red kidney beans.
- Cheese: Swap with pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, or other favorite cheeses, as desired.
👩🏻🍳 Tips
- Feel free to adjust the heat level by choosing milder or spicier tomatoes with green chiles
- Don't rush the bacon-cooking process – those crispy bits will be worth the wait
- Use the bacon fat to cook your beef for an extra layer of flavor
- Let the ale reduce properly to concentrate its rich taste
🤔 FAQs
This hearty pasta gets its name from the bold, southwestern ingredients like bacon, beef, and spicy tomatoes - the kind of filling meal you might imagine cowboys enjoying after a long day on the range.
Absolutely! Add extra hot sauce, use spicier diced tomatoes with green chiles, or throw in some fresh jalapeños. You can also sprinkle red pepper flakes on top.
Don't overcook the pasta - keep it al dente. Also, save some pasta water before draining - this starchy water helps the sauce stick to the noodles and creates a silkier texture.
📗 Related Recipes
These satisfying recipes are made with bold, hearty ingredients that are reminiscent of traditional "cowboy" cooking. They're rustic, filling, and packed with flavor.
🍽 What to serve with Cowboy Spaghetti
Cowboy spaghetti is a hearty dish all on its own, but to bulk up the meal, serve it with garlic bread, biscuits, cornbread muffins, or warm rolls to soak up the tomato-based sauce.
A simple salad can add a fresh, crisp contrast, while grilled veggies or a fresh southwestern slaw can help round out the meal.
🔪 All Our Way recommends the following
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You’ll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.
- Deep pasta pot
- Dutch oven or deep skillet
- Cheese grater
- Measuring spoons and dry measuring cups
- Chef's knife
- Cutting board
- Wood mixing spoon
📞 Chiacchierata (chat)
This Cowboy Spaghetti Recipe is one of those that makes you feel like a hero in the cucina (kitchen). It's easy to prepare, quick to clean up, and best of all, it's always a hit with the whole family. There's something special about the smoky bacon, hearty ground beef, and that cheesy, tangy sauce. It makes every bite irresistible.
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you're short on time but still want to serve up a meal that feels special. It's a dish that brings everyone to the table with sorrisi (smiles) on their faces and plenty of requests for seconds. Even the mangiatori più schizzinosi (pickiest eaters) at our house can't resist the Western-inspired flavors!
Be a hero at your house and serve them this Cowboy Spaghetti ASAP! This recipe is great for a cena in famiglia (family dinner) or a notte accogliente (cozy night) at home. It will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen. Don't forget to grab a scarpetta (slice of crusty bread) for soaking up that delicious sauce -- you won't want to waste a drop!
Tutti a tavolo, è pronto!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
What's new? Check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We'll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make cooking fun and easy.
📖 Recipe
YIPPIE KI-YAY Cowboy Spaghetti
Equipment Needed
Ingredients
- 16 oz. spaghetti uncooked
- 5 ½ oz. thick-cut bacon slices 6 thick-cut slices chopped (about 5 ½ ounces)
- 1 lb. ground beef 90% lean meat to 10% fat content
- 10 oz. medium-size yellow onion chopped (about 1 ½ cups)
- 3 medium garlic cloves finely chopped (about 1 Tbsp.)
- ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper plus more if needed
- 3 tsp. kosher salt divided, plus more if needed
- 1 Tbsp. chili powder — add more if you like it spicy
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp. chopped fresh oregano
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- ½ cup 4 oz. brown ale
- 15 oz. can of fire-roasted tomatoes (crushed)
- 12 oz diced tomatoes with green chiles, such as Rotel — use the heat factor your family prefers.
- 15 ½ oz can dark kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 tsp. hot sauce
- 3 medium scallions sliced
- 3 oz. Sharp cheddar cheese shredded (about ¾ cup)
- Sour cream for serving optional
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high. Add spaghetti, and cook according to package directions. Drain spaghetti, and set aside.
- Cook bacon: While cooking spaghetti, cook bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, about 11 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate using a slotted spoon; set aside. Do not wipe the Dutch oven clean.
- Cook beef: Increase the heat in the Dutch oven to medium-high. Add ground beef to the pan. Cook it, breaking the meat into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon. Stir occasionally until the beef is browned and no longer pink, about 6 minutes.
- Add spices and herbs: Add onion, garlic, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of salt to the Dutch oven; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 4 minutes.
- Add the chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, cumin, and garlic powder. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir the brown ale into the Dutch oven. Cook over medium-high heat, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom, until slightly reduced, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato sauce, hot sauce, and 1 teaspoon salt. Simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Combine spaghetti and meat sauce: Remove Dutch oven from heat; stir in reserved spaghetti, and toss until spaghetti is fully coated in sauce. Serve topped with cheese, reserved bacon, and scallions.
Notes
👩🏻🍳 Tips
- Feel free to adjust the heat level by choosing milder or spicier tomatoes with green chiles
- Don't rush the bacon-cooking process – those crispy bits will be worth the wait
- Use the bacon fat to cook your beef for an extra layer of flavor
- Let the ale reduce properly to concentrate its rich taste
Nutrition
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