Cowboy Spaghetti
Cowboy Spaghetti combines smoky bacon, seasoned beef, pasta, cheese, and fire-roasted tomatoes for a hearty, flavorful one-skillet meal. Perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
5 Servings
Ingredients
- Bacon: 6 strips cooked and crumbled
- Onion: 1 chopped
- Garlic: 2 cloves minced
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon
- Ground Beef: 1 pound
- Beef Broth: 1 1/2 cups
- Worcestershire Sauce: 2 teaspoons
- Hot Sauce: 2 teaspoons or to taste
- Spaghetti Noodles: 8 ounces broken in half
- Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles such as Ro-Tel® Original: 1 can (10 ounces)
- Fire Roasted Tomatoes: 1 can 14.5 ounces
- Tomato Sauce: 1 can 4 ounces
- Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese: 1/2 cup
- Green Onions: 3 sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Bacon:
- Place the bacon strips in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for approximately 7 minutes, turning occasionally, until slightly crisp. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cool, crumble and set aside.
Sauté the Onion and Garlic:
- Utilize the remaining bacon grease in the skillet to sauté the chopped onion over medium heat until softened, approximately 3 minutes. Add garlic, salt, and black pepper, stirring for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
Cook the Ground Beef:
- Introduce the ground beef to the skillet. Cook and stir continuously until the beef is thoroughly browned and no longer pink, approximately 5 minutes.
Add Liquids and Bacon:
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and half of the crumbled bacon. Mix thoroughly to combine all flavors.
Incorporate Spaghetti and Tomatoes:
- Break the spaghetti noodles in half and distribute them evenly over the beef mixture. Pour in the diced tomatoes with green chiles, fire-roasted tomatoes, and tomato sauce, ensuring the noodles are adequately covered.
Cook the Spaghetti:
- Cover the skillet and allow the mixture to simmer over medium-low heat for approximately 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking.
Add Cheese and Bacon:
- Once the spaghetti is fully cooked, uncover the skillet and stir to combine. Spread the mixture evenly and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and remaining crumbled bacon over the top. Cover again and allow the cheese to melt, approximately 5 minutes.
Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish the completed dish with sliced green onions. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy.
Notes
To make this Cowboy Spaghetti gluten-free, substitute traditional spaghetti noodles with a certified gluten-free pasta of your choice. Ensure that all canned tomato products, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce used are gluten-free.