Cowboy Spaghetti

Name: Cowboy Spaghetti with Bacon and Cheddar
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 strips thick-cut bacon; 1 medium yellow onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 lb ground beef; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 tsp jalapeño hot sauce; 1/2 cup beef stock; 1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes; 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce; 1 lb spaghetti; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 2 tbsp green onions, chopped, for garnish

Cowboy Spaghetti combines ground beef and crispy bacon in a savory one-pot pasta dish topped with melted cheddar cheese. This American twist delivers bold, hearty flavors perfect for quick weeknight dinners.

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

🏷️

🏷️Cheddar cheese

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TikTok

Total

40 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$26–$43

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

-0:00

TikTok

Ingredients

6 strips thick-cut bacon
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb ground beef
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp jalapeño hot sauce
1/2 cup beef stock
1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
1 lb spaghetti
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 tbsp green onions, chopped, for garnishoptional

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Instructions

1
In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with tongs, leaving the rendered fat in the pot. Set the bacon aside.
2
Add the diced onion to the bacon grease and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
3
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4
Add the ground beef to the pot. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
5
Season the meat with salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce.
6
Pour in the beef stock, fire-roasted tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Stir to combine.
7
Chop the cooked bacon. Add about half of the chopped bacon to the sauce, reserving the rest for garnish. Stir everything together.
8
Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook while you prepare the pasta.
9
Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
10
Add the cooked spaghetti to the pot with the meat sauce and toss to combine thoroughly.
11
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and chopped green onions over the top of the spaghetti.
12
Cover the pot for a few minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
13
Serve hot, garnished with the remaining crispy bacon.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Render the bacon first and reserve the fat for sautéing onions and garlic — this builds deep flavor without extra oil.
Don't skip the fire-roasted tomatoes; their smokiness complements the bacon and cheese better than regular canned tomatoes.
Add the spaghetti directly to the meat sauce off heat, then toss gently to coat before topping with cheese to prevent the pasta from drying out.
Sprinkle cheddar over the warm pasta in a thin layer so it melts evenly; add it just before serving to avoid a thick, clumpy topping.

Substitutions

Worcestershire sauce → soy sauce (same amount, slightly saltier and deeper umami)
Fire-roasted diced tomatoes → crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce (adjust beef stock down by 1/4 cup)
Cheddar cheese → Monterey Jack or Gruyère (sharper or milder profile)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of beef stock to restore sauce consistency; add fresh cheddar if desired.