Cowboy Spaghetti

Name: Cowboy Spaghetti with Ground Beef and Jalapeños
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb spaghetti; 2 tbsp butter; 1 tbsp beef bouillon base; 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes; 1 medium yellow onion; 1 jalapeño; 3 cloves garlic; 1/2 lemon; 1 lb ground beef; 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes; 1 cup water; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; Fresh parsley, for garnish; Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Cowboy Spaghetti is a hearty American pasta dish featuring ground beef, jalapeños, and diced tomatoes with a zesty lemon finish. The rich meat sauce delivers bold, spicy flavor perfect for weeknight dinners.

🌍American 🏷️Cowboy spaghetti 🏷️Spaghetti 🏷️Pasta 🏷️Ground beef Jalapeño

🏷️

🏷️Spicy

-0:00

melissajorealrecipesonTikTok

Total

50 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$26–$43

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by melissajorealrecipes

-0:00

melissajorealrecipesonTikTok

Ingredients

1 lb spaghetti
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp beef bouillon base
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 medium yellow onion
1 jalapeño
3 cloves garlic
1/2 lemon
1 lb ground beef
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 cup water
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley, for garnishoptional
Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnishoptional

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Instructions

1
In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the beef bouillon base and red pepper flakes until fragrant.
2
Add the diced onion and jalapeño to the pot. Sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
3
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4
Squeeze in the juice of half a lemon.
5
Add the ground beef to the pot. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
6
Stir in the can of diced tomatoes with their juices. Fill the empty can with water and add it to the pot.
7
Stir in the 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 20 minutes for the flavors to meld.
8
While the sauce is simmering, cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
9
Toss the cooked spaghetti with the meat sauce until well combined.
10
Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the ground beef thoroughly before adding aromatics to build deep, savory flavor.
Dice the jalapeño finely and remove seeds if you prefer less heat without losing the flavor.
Zest the lemon before juicing it to capture bright citrus notes in the sauce.
Simmer the sauce for at least 10 minutes to meld flavors and allow red pepper flakes to bloom.

Substitutions

Ground beef → ground lamb or ground turkey (adjust cooking time slightly if using turkey)
Beef bouillon base → 1 tbsp beef broth or omit for a lighter sauce
Jalapeño → serrano pepper (spicier) or poblano (milder)
Lemon → lime (for a different citrus profile)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftover spaghetti and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of water to restore sauce consistency.

Common Questions

Can I make Cowboy Spaghetti ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the sauce up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate in an airtight container. Cook the spaghetti fresh before serving, or reheat both together on the stovetop.