Cowboy Spaghetti is a bold, hearty twist on a classic Italian-American favorite. This isn’t your average spaghetti night—this version brings smoky bacon, savory ground beef, spicy seasonings, and tangy barbecue sauce to the party. Finished with shredded cheddar and green onions, it’s a satisfying one-pan meal that’s perfect for feeding a hungry crowd.

What makes Cowboy Spaghetti shine is its mash-up of comfort food favorites: pasta, chili, and BBQ. It’s the kind of dish that feels right at home at a game day gathering, weeknight dinner, or even as leftovers the next day. Every bite delivers a blend of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors that’ll make you want to put this into regular rotation.

What Makes Cowboy Spaghetti Different?

Traditional spaghetti leans on Italian flavors like marinara and Parmesan, while Cowboy Spaghetti dives into Western-inspired territory with barbecue sauce, crispy bacon, chili powder, and cheddar cheese. It’s a fusion of spaghetti and Southern chili mac that feels familiar yet excitingly different.

Ingredients for the Cowboy Spaghetti

Spaghetti: The pasta base that carries all the bold flavors.
Bacon: Adds smokiness and a crisp texture.
Ground Beef: The hearty protein that bulks up the sauce.
Garlic and Onion: Aromatics that deepen the flavor of the base.
Diced Tomatoes: Offers texture and acidity to balance the richness.
Barbecue Sauce: Brings in that sweet and smoky Western-style kick.
Worcestershire Sauce: Adds umami depth and savory complexity.
Chili Powder: For a touch of spice and warmth.
Cheddar Cheese: Melted over the top for a creamy, sharp finish.
Green Onions: A fresh pop of color and mild onion bite for garnish.

How To Make the Cowboy Spaghetti

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.

Step 2: Crisp the Bacon

In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Discard excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.

Step 3: Brown the Beef

Add ground beef to the pan with the bacon drippings. Cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Add chopped onion and garlic, and saute until softened.

Step 4: Build the Sauce

Stir in diced tomatoes (with juice), barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 10–15 minutes to let the flavors meld. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce thickens too much.

Step 5: Combine and Top

Toss the cooked spaghetti into the sauce and mix until coated. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and cooked bacon. Cover the pan briefly to let the cheese melt.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle with sliced green onions and serve warm straight from the pan or plate it up cowboy-style with garlic toast on the side.

How to Serve and Store Cowboy Spaghetti

Cowboy Spaghetti is best served hot and fresh, topped with extra cheddar and green onions for maximum flavor and color. It pairs beautifully with cornbread, garlic toast, or even a crisp green salad if you want to balance the richness.

To store leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months, though the texture of the pasta may soften slightly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare the sauce and pasta separately, then combine and heat when ready to serve. Add cheese and bacon just before serving.

What barbecue sauce works best?

Use your favorite kind. A smoky or hickory-flavored sauce complements the bacon and beef perfectly.

Can I use a different pasta?

Absolutely. Penne, rotini, or elbow macaroni work well and hold onto the sauce nicely.

Is this dish spicy?

It has mild heat from chili powder. For more kick, add hot sauce or red pepper flakes.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes! Use gluten-free spaghetti and ensure your barbecue sauce and Worcestershire are gluten-free too.

Want More Pasta Dinners with a Bold Twist?

If Cowboy Spaghetti hits the spot, you might love these other comforting, flavor-packed meals:

Creamy Cajun Steak Alfredo if you’re into smoky heat and rich sauces.
Cheesesteak Tortellini in Rich Provolone Sauce for Philly-inspired comfort.
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Tortellini with Sausage and Broccoli
Rattlesnake Pasta if you want spicy Tex-Mex vibes in pasta form.
Creamy Cheesy Garlic Butter Rigatoni with Savory Beef for layers of umami and richness.

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.

Tried it out? Tell me how it turned out in the comments. Did you go extra cheesy? Add jalapeños? Swap in turkey or plant-based beef?

I love hearing your spins on recipes. And if you’re looking for more mealtime inspiration, follow me on Pinterest @hallarecipes for more bold and easy favorites.

Cowboy SpaghettiCowboy SpaghettiCowboy Spaghetti

Author: Jam Scott
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Print Recipe

Description

Cowboy Spaghetti is a smoky, cheesy, comfort-filled twist on the classic pasta dinner. With crisp bacon, seasoned beef, a BBQ-spiked tomato sauce, and gooey cheddar melted on top, it’s a one-pan wonder that’ll have everyone going back for seconds.

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.

2. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels. Discard excess grease, leaving 1 tablespoon in the pan.

3. Add ground beef to the pan. Cook until browned, breaking up the meat. Add onion and garlic; cook until softened.

4. Stir in diced tomatoes, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer 10–15 minutes. Add pasta water if needed.

5. Add cooked spaghetti to the sauce and toss to coat. Top with cheddar and bacon. Cover to melt the cheese.

6. Garnish with green onions and serve hot.