Description

Cowboy Spaghetti is the perfect weeknight dinner when you’re craving something bold, comforting, and loaded with flavor. It’s a one-pan pasta dish brimming with hearty ground beef, smoky sausage, crispy bacon, and a tangy tomato sauce—all swirled with tender spaghetti and topped with melty cheddar cheese. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or batch-cooking for the week, this recipe is your ticket to a fuss-free, flavor-packed meal. Great for lovers of easy dinner ideas, bold food flavors, and rustic comfort classics. Keywords like “easy dinner,” “quick pasta meal,” “family favorite recipe,” and “hearty comfort food” make this a standout choice for anyone craving satisfying food ideas.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

6 slices bacon

8 ounces smoked sausage, sliced

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

14.5 ounces diced tomatoes

1 cup tomato sauce

12 ounces spaghetti noodles

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

2 tablespoons chopped chives or green onions (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

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Instructions

1. Cook the bacon in a large skillet until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving the grease in the pan.

2. Add ground beef to the pan and cook until browned. Stir in the sliced sausage and cook for 3 more minutes.

3. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sauté until fragrant and soft.

4. Pour in the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir and simmer for 10–15 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.

5. Meanwhile, boil spaghetti noodles until al dente. Drain well.

6. Fold the cooked pasta into the sauce. Stir in the crumbled bacon.

7. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Cover and let it melt.

8. Garnish with chives or green onions if using. Serve hot straight from the skillet.

Notes

For extra spice, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the sauce.

Use freshly grated cheddar for optimal melt and flavor.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 580
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 880mg
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 17g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 95mg