Cowboy Spaghetti turns pantry staples into a hearty, cheesy dinner packed with bold chili flavor. Ground beef, Rotel, bacon, and cheddar make this easy family-sized meal a delicious twist on classic spaghetti.
If you love shortcut dishes with a twist, try my spaghetti tacos or teriyaki chicken and rice casserole.
Recipe Highlights: Cowboy Spaghetti
- Flavor: This dish is loaded with bold Tex-Mex flavors from chili seasoning and Rotel tomatoes.
- Beginner-Friendly: Simple stovetop steps make this a super easy recipe to follow.
- Sauce Tip: Lightly drain the tomatoes for a thicker sauce.
- Easy Swaps: Replace ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or sausage.
Total Time: 25 Mins Servings: 6 Cooking Method: Stovetop
Ingredient Notes
- Spaghetti: Cook al dente so it holds its texture in the sauce. Replace with linguine, bucatini, or short pasta.
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef adds hearty flavor without excess grease. Ground turkey, chicken, or mild sausage can be used too.
- Tomato Sauce: Use a large jar for a rich sauce that coats the pasta. Marinara works but adds more sweetness.
- Diced Tomatoes with Chilies: Lightly drain before adding to the sauce. Choose mild or hot depending on your preferred heat.
- Chili Seasoning: A packet of chili seasoning adds easy shortcut flavor. Swap for taco seasoning for a more taco-style flavor.
Optional Toppings
- Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese adds the most flavor, while mild or medium cheddar works too. Freshly shredded melts best.
- Bacon: Add real bacon bits or cook and drain bacon on a paper towel-lined plate for smoky flavor and a crisp finish.
- Green Onion: Sprinkle on top for fresh flavor and color, or use chives or cilantro instead. For extra heat, add sliced jalapeño peppers.
How to Make Cowboy Spaghetti
- Cook the spaghetti, making sure the texture stays firm.
- Brown the ground beef with onion, add the sauce and seasonings. (Full recipe below.)
- Add drained pasta and mix together. Serve with preferred toppings.
Leftovers and Reheating
- Refrigerate: Cool leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to four days.
- Freeze: For the best results, freeze the meat sauce without the spaghetti. It will keep its flavor for up to 3 months.
- Make Ahead: Make the meat sauce up to three days ahead, then cook the pasta when ready to serve. Double the sauce and freeze half without the pasta for an easy meal later.
More Pasta Night Shortcuts
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Cowboy Spaghetti
This easy cowboy spaghetti is a family-sized dinner made with ground beef, Rotel, chili seasoning, and pasta. It is hearty, cheesy, and ready for toppings.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 cup diced onion 1 small onion
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 (29 ounce) jar tomato sauce
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with chilies such as Rotel, lightly drained
- 1 (1 ounce) packet chili seasoning mix
- shredded cheddar cheese bacon bits, and green onion for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package directions, just until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a deep skillet or pot, cook the ground beef and onion over medium-high heat until beef is browned and onion is tender. Drain any fat,
- Stir in the tomato sauce, drained diced tomatoes with chilis, and chili seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the spaghetti and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more, until heated through.
- Serve topped with shredded cheese, bacon bits, and green onion.
Notes
*Nutrition calculated without toppings.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 395kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 56mg | Potassium: 474mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 84IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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