It's Time To Give Cowboy Spaghetti A Twirl

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If "cowboy spaghetti" makes you think more about spaghetti western movies than tonight's dinner, you wouldn't be alone. But like the movies, this is a recipe you won't soon forget. Cowboy spaghetti is like a much more smoky and savory spaghetti. This is really intended to be a fridge and pantry clean-out type of dish—throw in whatever produce you have (peppers, onions, celery) and canned goods (tomatoes, beans, and veggies). You can't go wrong.

Southern Living Cowboy Spaghetti in a bowl to serve
Photo:

Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Lauren Odum; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Active Time:
35 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
6
Southern Living Cowboy Spaghetti ingredients

Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Lauren Odum; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Ingredients

  • 12 oz. uncooked spaghetti

  • 4 thick-cut bacon slices, chopped (about 2 cups)

  • 1 lb. ground round

  • 1 medium-size (10 oz.) yellow onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)

  • 3 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped (about 1 Tbsp.)

  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper

  • 2 tsp. kosher salt, divided

  • 2 Tbsp. chili powder

  • 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

  • 2 tsp. chopped fresh oregano

  • 1 tsp. ground cumin

  • 1 tsp. garlic powder

  • 1/2 cup (4 oz.) brown ale

  • 1 (28-oz.) can whole peeled plum tomatoes, crushed using your hands

  • 1 (15 1/2-oz.) can dark kidney beans, drained and rinsed

  • 1 (8-oz.) can tomato sauce

  • 1 tsp. hot sauce

  • 3 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 3/4 cup)

  • Sliced scallions

Directions

  1. Cook spaghetti:

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high. Add spaghetti, and cook according to package directions. Drain spaghetti, and set aside.

    Southern Living Cowboy Spaghetti draining the pasta

    Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Lauren Odum; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

  2. Cook bacon:

    While spaghetti is cooking, cook bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, about 11 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate using a slotted spoon; set aside. Do not wipe Dutch oven clean.

    Southern Living Cowboy Spaghetti cooking the bacon

    Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Lauren Odum; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

  3. Cook beef:

    Increase heat in Dutch oven to medium-high. Add ground round; cook, breaking up beef into smaller pieces using a wooden spoon and stirring occasionally, until browned and no longer pink, about 6 minutes.

    Southern Living Cowboy Spaghetti cooking the ground beef

    Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Lauren Odum; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

  4. Add spices and herbs:

    Add onion, garlic, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of the salt to Dutch oven; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 4 minutes. Add chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, cumin, and garlic powder; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. 

    Southern Living Cowboy Spaghetti adding the onions and seasoning to the beef

    Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Lauren Odum; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

  5. Add sale, tomatoes, and beans:

    Stir brown ale into Dutch oven; cook over medium-high, scraping up any browned bits from bottom of Dutch oven, until slightly reduced, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato sauce, hot sauce, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to simmer over medium-high; reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.

    Southern Living Cowboy Spaghetti adding the tomatoes and beans for the sauce

    Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Lauren Odum; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

  6. Combine spaghetti and meat sauce:

    Remove Dutch oven from heat; stir in reserved spaghetti, and toss until spaghetti is fully coated in sauce. Serve topped with cheese, reserved bacon, and scallions.

    Southern Living Cowboy Spaghetti tossing in the pasta and ready to serve with toppings

    Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Lauren Odum; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

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