Cowboy Spaghetti
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This cowboy spaghetti recipe is hearty, filling, and perfect for a winter meal. The recipe includes ground beef, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and red pepper flakes.
It’s simple to make and will definitely satisfy your hunger!

Looking for an easy, affordable, and kid-friendly meal to make this week?
This easy pasta recipe is easy to follow, and the end result is sure to please everyone at your table.

Try this delicious cowboy spaghetti recipe! It only takes about 30 minutes to make and is perfect for a busy weeknight. Plus, your kids will love helping you prepare it. So grab your ingredients and get cooking!

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.
Is there a difference between Cowboy Spaghetti and regular spaghetti?
Cowboy spaghetti has extra ingredients like bacon, black beans, and rotel tomatoes. It is more of a Mexican or Tex-Mex-inspired dish, than Italian.
What type of cheese can be used in Cowboy Spaghetti?
We make this cowboy spaghetti recipe with Pepper Jack cheese. It has a subtle spiciness that we love! You can swap it for cheddar, mozzarella, or whatever else you like.
What type of ground beef is used for Cowboy Spaghetti?
We prefer to use ground sirloin. It’s incredibly juicy and keeps the cowboy spaghetti nice and moist! However, you can use any variety of ground beef that you like. It’s also fine to swap the ground beef for ground chicken, ground turkey, or even ground pork.
What types of pasta can be used for Cowboy Spaghetti?
We prefer linguine, but you can use spaghetti noodles if you’d like. It would also be good with penne or ziti pasta. Play around with the recipe and see what you like best.
What is the best way to serve Cowboy Spaghetti?
- Chips and salsa
- Guacamole
- Sour Cream
- Extra Cheese
- Jalapenos
- Black Olives
- Fresh Herbs

Ingredients:
- Bacon
- Ground sirloin
- Sweet onion diced
- Worcestershire sauce
- Light black beans drained
- Tomato sauce
- Rotel Chili Fixins Tomatoes
- Dark chili powder
- Ground cumin
- Garlic salt
- Lemon pepper
- Mexican oregano
- Shredded Pepper-Jack cheese divided
- Thin linguine
- Jalapeno slices amount to taste
- Green onions for garnishing
How to make Cowboy Spaghetti:
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray two large skillets with pam baking spray
Step 2. Using one skillet, cook the bacon to your liking
Step 3. Play onto a napkin to allow the grease to soak onto the napkin
Step 4. Discard grease, leaving a small amount to saute the onions and beef, cooking until the beef is browned and the onion is translucent
Step 5. Mix in the beans, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, garlic, cumin, tomatoes, oregano, and lemon pepper

Step 6. Turn the heat down to low
Step 7. Using a large pasta pot, cook the pasta according to the box
Step 8. Drain the water once the pasta is cooked
Step 9. Mix the pasta into the beef mixture

Step 10. Crumble bacon into the pasta and mix until combined
Step 11. Transfer the pasta into a cast iron skillet and top with cheese and jalapeno slices
Step 12. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until the cheese has melted
Step 13. Top with green onions and enjoy

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Cowboy Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 1/2 pounds ground sirloin
- 1 medium sweet onion diced
- 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 15 ounces can light black beans drained
- 1 14 ounces can tomato sauce
- 1 10 ounces can Rotel Chili Fixins Tomatoes
- 2 tbsp dark chilli powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1 tsp lemon pepper
- 1 tsp Mexican oregano
- 3 C shredded Pepper-Jack cheese divided
- 12 ounces thin linguine
- pickled jalapeno slices amount to taste
- sliced green onions for garnishing
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Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray two large skillets with pam baking spray
- Using one skillet, cook the bacon to your liking
- Play onto a napkin to allow the grease to soak onto the napkin
- Discard grease, leaving a small amount to saute the onions and beef, cooking until the beef is browned and onion is translucent
- Mix in the beans, tomato sauce, worcestershire sauce, chili powder, garlic, cumin, tomatoes, oregano, and lemon pepper
- Turn heat down to low
- Using a large pasta pot, cook the pasta according to the box
- Drain the water once the pasta is cooked
- Mix the pasta into the beef mixture
- Crumble bacon into the pasta and mix until combined
- Transfer the pasta into a cast iron skillet and top with cheese and jalapeno slices
- Bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until the cheese has melted
- Top with green onions and enjoy
Video
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Cowboy Spaghetti video
How much time does it take to prepare Cowboy Spaghetti?
It cooks fast and only takes about 30 minutes!
What vegetables can be added to Cowboy Spaghetti?
- Corn
- Green Beans
- Bell Peppers
- Tomatoes
- Carrots
- Zucchini

Is Cowboy Spaghetti suitable for vegetarians?
No, it is not. It’s made with bacon and ground sirloin. You can omit the bacon and beef if you’d like. Then you’ll have a vegetarian meal.
Does Cowboy Spaghetti require pre-cooking of the ingredients?
No, you’ll need to cook everything when you are making the dish, not beforehand. There is basically no prep work!
Can Cowboy Spaghetti be cooked in a slow cooker?
Brown the meat and cook the bacon, then add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-6 hours.
Is Cowboy Spaghetti a good dish to serve at a dinner party?
Yes, guests will rave about the fun flavors that are a twist on traditional spaghetti. Serve it with all your favorite Mexican sides, and everyone will enjoy it!

More Tex-Mex & Mexican Dishes
Walking Taco Casserole – All I can say is that this is amazing!

Easy Beef Tacos – Tender beef and all your favorite toppings!

Chicken Nachos – No one can resist seconds!

Mexican Tater Tot Casserole – Incredibly cheesy and delicious!
