Description
Cowboy Spaghetti is a hearty and flavorful pasta dish combining crispy bacon, seasoned ground beef, a spicy and tangy tomato sauce, and sharp cheddar cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, this rustic skillet meal offers a perfect blend of smoky, spicy, and savory flavors for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound dry spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Meat and Aromatics
- 3 slices thick bacon, diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 2 teaspoons sriracha hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1 (15 ounce) can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
Toppings
- 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 3 scallions, diced
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti al dente according to package directions. Once cooked, drain the pasta well and set it aside.
- Cook Bacon and Beef: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large, deep nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the diced bacon and cook until it is brown and crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Discard most of the bacon grease, leaving about one tablespoon in the skillet.
- Sauté Ground Beef and Onions: Add the ground beef and diced onions to the skillet. Cook over medium heat, breaking the beef into crumbles, until it is browned with no pink remaining and the onions have softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain off the excess grease from the skillet.
- Add Garlic and Season: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 20 seconds until fragrant. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare Sauce: Pour in the sriracha hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, low-sodium beef broth, crushed fire-roasted tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Stir to combine, then let the sauce gently bubble and simmer for approximately 6 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Combine Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti directly into the skillet with the meat sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Serve: Plate the pasta in serving bowls. Top each portion with shredded sharp cheddar cheese, diced scallions, and the reserved crispy bacon. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful Cowboy Spaghetti!
Notes
- For extra spice, increase the amount of sriracha according to your taste preference.
- Using fire-roasted tomatoes adds a smoky depth; if unavailable, regular canned crushed tomatoes can be substituted.
- Drain excess grease from the beef to keep the sauce from becoming too oily and maintain a balanced flavor.
- Freshly shredded cheddar cheese melts better than pre-shredded varieties due to the absence of anti-caking agents.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
