Description
Looking for a bold, quick dinner idea that’s packed with flavor? Cowboy Spaghetti is the hearty, smoky, cheesy twist your pasta nights need. This easy recipe fuses classic spaghetti with the deep, savory vibes of the American Southwest, making it perfect for family dinners, weeknight meals, or even a hearty lunch. With crispy bacon, ground beef, fire-roasted tomatoes, and cheddar, this dish is one of the most satisfying comfort food ideas around. Whether you’re after a quick dinner, fun food ideas, or easy recipes that reheat well — this one checks every box.
Ingredients
12 oz spaghetti noodles
6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
1 lb ground beef
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp black pepper
Salt, to taste
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Add-ins:
1 small jalapeño, finely chopped
½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
½ cup canned black beans or corn
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente, then drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water.
2. In a large skillet, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, keeping the drippings.
3. Add ground beef to the skillet with the bacon grease. Brown the meat for 6–8 minutes, breaking it up. Drain excess fat if needed.
4. Add diced onion to the skillet and cook until soft, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
5. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Then add fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes.
6. Add cooked spaghetti and the reserved bacon to the skillet. Toss everything together until well coated. Add a bit of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
7. Remove from heat and mix in shredded cheddar and Parmesan cheese. Stir gently until melted and creamy.
8. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions and serve hot.
Notes
Don’t skip the bacon fat — it adds major flavor to the base of the sauce.
Simmering the sauce a bit longer improves the depth and richness.
For best texture, toss the cooked spaghetti into the sauce just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1⅓ cups
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 810mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: cowboy spaghetti, easy dinner, comfort food, spaghetti ideas, quick pasta recipe