Restless Chipotle

  • About
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
×
Home » Recipes » Pasta Recipes

Cowboy Spaghetti

Published: Aug 9, 2023 · Updated: Jun 2, 2024 by Marye

An easy 30-minute recipe that's perfect for weeknights! Kid-friendly, cheesy cowboy spaghetti is cooked in an iron skillet. It's so hearty and full of southwestern flavor you'll want to have it often.
Total time for the recipe to be finished.Total Time 35 minutes minutes
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
An iron skillet filled with pasta and topped with bacon and green onions.
Overhead view of the pasta in a skillet with title text overlay for Pinterest.

You need this quick, easy casserole in your life whether it's a busy week or back-to-school chaos.

Don't want to scroll through the page to get to the recipe? Use the table of contents to click on the section you want.

Overhead view of the casserole on a white table.
Table of Contents
  • 🗝️ Key takeaways
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 📖 Variations
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🥫 How to store leftovers
  • 💭 Things to know
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 📞 The last word
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

🗝️ Key takeaways

  • Delicious, 30-minute meal "spices up" a regular spaghetti dinner
  • Great recipe for busy weeknights (leftovers are awesome, too!)
  • Cooking the meat in the bacon grease is a great way to add a savory Southern flair

A family favorite for all ages, this cowboy spaghetti recipe gets everyone excited for dinner time—to that, I say "Yee-haw!"

Smoky bacon, chili powder, and fire-roasted tomatoes add tons of flavor, making this the kind of fusion dish you'll want to serve again and again.

🧾 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

Labeled ingredients for this recipe.

📖 Variations

  • Swap the beef for ground turkey, chicken, or sausage. You can even use a combination if you've got different kinds of meat to use up.
  • If you don't have kidney beans, black beans will work just fine.
  • We like the flavor of sharp cheddar cheese in cowboy spaghetti, but feel free to get fancy with Monterey or Pepper-Jack cheese.
  • If you want a little bit of spice, choose the Rotel with green chilies, or stir in some pimento. For more heat, add sliced jalapenos.

🔪 Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Step by step images showing how to make cowboy spaghetti.
  1. Cook bacon in a cast iron skillet and remove with a slotted spoon. Then, brown the ground beef, garlic, onions, and peppers in the same skillet.
  2. Add the tomato sauce, beans, Rotel, chili powder, Worcestershire, seasonings, and cooked spaghetti noodles.
  3. Stir in some of the cheese and crisp bacon.
  4. Top with remaining cheese and bake. Garnish with green onions and remaining bacon before enjoying.

🥫 How to store leftovers

Kids never complain when they hear we have leftovers of cowboy spaghetti—and since that means dinner is ready to go, I don't either!

Let the spaghetti cool a little before spooning it into an airtight container. You can refrigerate it for three days or freeze it for about three months.

The easiest way to reheat cowboy spaghetti is in the microwave. Let frozen leftovers thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, pop it into a microwave-safe bowl and warm it for a minute or two, stirring midway.

Closeup of the spaghetti casserole with a serving being removed.

💭 Things to know

Expert Tip: If you don't have a large, deep skillet, feel free to use your favorite frying/saute pan. Then, transfer the spaghetti to a greased casserole dish for baking.

  • When browning the ground sirloin, be sure to use a wooden spoon or spatula. This allows you to scrape the bottom of the skillet to release those yummy browned bits—without damaging the cast iron finish.
  • I use lean ground beef, but if you choose a fattier blend, you'll want to drain off the excess grease so that your cowboy spaghetti isn't oily.
  • Don't forget to salt your pasta water! It should taste as salty as the sea.
  • Cook the pasta to al dente so that it doesn't get mushy. Look for a tender, chewy texture that is still a little bit firm.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Do I have to cook the spaghetti noodles before baking?

Unless you want a really crunchy dinner—and not in a good way—yes, you have to cook the noodles. Using leftover cooked pasta noodles (plain or lightly sauced) can help you speed up prep.

Can I make this in advance?

Yes ma'am! Add the spaghetti mixture to a baking dish, and refrigerate it for up to two days. When you're ready for dinner, pull it out (while the oven preheats) and bake as directed. Enjoy!

Is there a way to make this vegetarian?

Of course! Not in the mood for meat? Want to serve this as a side dish? Simply omit the bacon and beef and cook as directed. Maybe add another can of beans.

A pile of pasta on a white plate.

📚 Related recipes

  • Southern Chicken Spaghetti is made in under 30 minutes and has so much flavor—my recipe makes the creamiest, cheesiest sauce ever!
  • Hearty, satisfying Tex-Mex flavors and super simple prep make One Pot Taco Spaghetti a must for dinner... in fact, try it for dinner tonight!
  • Quick, easy, and noodle-free, Cowboy Casserole with Tater Tots comes together effortlessly and makes the whole family happy.
  • Peach Upside-Down Cake on a cake plate with a slice being removed.
    Peach Upside-Down Cake
  • A square of cake with layers of pudding and bananas on top being served.
    Banana Pudding Poke Cake
  • Cream sauce being added to a gravy boat.
    Basic Cream Sauce Recipe
  • A spatula with a square of lemon icebox cake on it.
    Lemon Ice Box Cake

🍽️ Serve with...

  • Frito Corn Salad is the perfect, lighter pairing for a heavy spaghetti dinner. Plus, kids love to eat salad when it's topped with crunchy chips!
  • Candied Jalapenos are the perfect spicy/sweet topping for cowboy spaghetti (as well as casseroles, sandwiches, tacos, and much more.)
  • 10-Minute Southern Chocolate Cobbler is decadent and rich. With a slight Tex-Mex flair, it's the perfect way to finish off your tasty dinner.

📞 The last word

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

An iron skillet filled with pasta and topped with bacon and green onions.

Cowboy Spaghetti

4.34 from 3 votes
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Rate Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
An easy 30-minute recipe that's perfect for weeknights! Kid-friendly, cheesy cowboy spaghetti is cooked in an iron skillet. It's so hearty and full of southwestern flavor you'll want to have it often.
Course Main Dish - Ground Beef
Cuisine American - Southern
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Servings:6
Calories:798
Author:Marye Audet-White

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces spaghetti
  • ½ pound bacon, chopped - divided use
  • 1-½ pounds lean ground beef, I used 90/10
  • 3 garlic cloves, mashed
  • 2 cups onion, chopped
  • 2 cups bell peppers, diced or sliced
  • 15 ounces kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce
  • 10 ounces Rotel, undrained
  • 1-½ tablespoon chili powder, use more to taste
  • 1 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 3 cups cheddar cheese, shredded from a block- divided use
  • green onions, garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Cook spaghetti in a pot of salted water until tender.
 Drain.
  • In a large cast iron skillet (I used 12-inch), cook the bacon until crisp, stirring often so it doesn't burn.
  • Remove bacon and drain on paper towels.
  • Add beef, garlic, and onion to the bacon drippings in the skillet.
  • Cook until beef is no longer pink and the onion is tender, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Stir in tomato sauce, beans, Rotel, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, and oregano.
  • Carefully fold in the spaghetti.
  • Stir in 1-½ cups cheese and half the bacon.
  • Top with remaining 1-½ cups cheese.
  • Bake until heated through, 20-25 minutes.
  • Sprinkle with green onions and remaining bacon.
  • Serve hot.

Notes

Storage:
Let the spaghetti cool a little before spooning it into an airtight container. You can refrigerate it for three days or freeze it for about three months.
The easiest way to reheat cowboy spaghetti is in the microwave. Let frozen leftovers thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, pop it into a microwave-safe bowl and warm it for a minute or two, stirring midway.
Tips:
    • If you don't have a large, deep skillet, feel free to use your favorite frying/saute pan. Then, transfer the spaghetti to a greased casserole dish for baking.
    • When browning the ground sirloin, be sure to use a wooden spoon or spatula. This allows you to scrape the bottom of the skillet to release those yummy browned bits—without damaging the cast iron finish.
    • I use lean ground beef, but if you choose a fattier blend, you'll want to drain off the excess grease so that your cowboy spaghetti isn't oily.
    • Don't forget to salt your pasta water! It should taste as salty as the sea.
    • Cook the pasta to al dente so that it doesn't get mushy. Look for a tender, chewy texture that is still a little bit firm.
    •  

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 798kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 1070mg | Potassium: 1115mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1352IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 493mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.

More Perfect Pasta

  • An iron skillet filled with the finished Alfredo Chicken Ravioli.
    Chicken Alfredo Ravioli
  • Bacon Pimento Mac and Cheese on a plate.
    Bacon Pimento Mac & Cheese
  • Homemade pasta being rolled by machine.
    Best Homemade Pasta Dough Recipe...Ever
  • Overhead view of sausage Alfredo skillet dinner in a cast iron skillet.
    Creamy Sausage Alfredo Skillet

Love it? Share it!

259 shares
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard

About Marye

Meet Marye Audet, a wizard in the kitchen and a storyteller at heart. Marye is like your eccentric but fun aunt who knows all the secret recipes and isn't afraid to spill them.

Comments

    4.34 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Love it? Give it 5 stars!




  1. Cookee says

    January 02, 2025 at 8:46 pm

    3 stars
    Hi Marye,
    I would give most of your recipes 5 stars except...Exasperated pause... Like most recipe sites your prep time is totally and inconceivable in the true time. It takes longer than 5 minutes just to cook the ground beef. Even if you say to pre prep some of it is still considered for any home cook as prep time. How about a breakdown of time for each item in your dish, not including frozen chopped onions and peppers. Just to be truthful...take a can of kidney beans, open, drain, and rinse, put in pan and throw can in trash??? How long is that part of your 5 minutes (without running). Now come on Matte the truth on prep time for average homemaker.
    Can't wait to see your breakdown of prep time. Hope you post it as well as my comment. Hugs, love your recipes...Really!

    Reply
    • Marye says

      January 03, 2025 at 6:59 am

      Please don't rate my recipes until you try them. Stars have a big impact on them and it's unfair to rate them without trying. Saying that - I have no idea how anyone else preps - I only know how I do it. Before I begin I measure my ingredients, open cans, etc. I have been cooking for decades so chopping is quick and easy - sometimes I buy pre-chopped vegetables. I place all my trash and scraps to the side and throw them out when I'm done. Since everything is out, measured, etc. I don't create extra steps for myself. This is how I learned to cook. My prep times are accurate for me - there's no way I could predict how anyone else cooks.

      Reply
Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

Hey Y'all, I'm Marye

Welcome to my kitchen! ☕

NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies. Collector of old cookbooks.

Find out more

🍉 Summer Cookouts

  • Overhead view of potato salad in a glass bowl
    Mom's Homemade Potato Salad
  • Overhead view of the finished watermelon basket filled with an assortment of fruit.
    How to Make a Watermelon Basket
  • Closeup of a finished hamburger in a bun.
    Retro Lipton Onion Soup Burger (Vintage Recipe)
  • Closeup of a star shaped cake covered in white chocolate with red and blue sprinkles.
    Zebra Cake Recipe: Little Debbie Copycat

🫖 Picklefork Stories

Picklefork town crest.
Click here to visit Picklefork

👑 Reader Favorites

  • Square overhead of chicken for feature image.
    Crockpot Angel Chicken
  • Close up of the sauce showing the creamy texture.
    Copycat Red Robin Campfire Sauce Recipe
  • Wooden spatula removing fried potatoes out of iron skillet.
    Crispy Fried Potatoes in a Cast Iron Skillet (Southern Style)
  • Blue cocktail with a red and white straw.
    Sex in the Driveway Cocktail
  • A sliced loaf of english muffin bread.
    Easy English Muffin Bread – No Knead, Perfect for Toasting!
  • Two finished loaves of Amish white bread cooling on a table.
    No-Fail Amish White Bread

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • About Marye Audet-White
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Contact
MaryeAudet Whiteandherchildren Dec

Featured In:

Places Restless Chipotle has been featured

We improve our products and advertising by using Microsoft Clarity to see how you use our website. By using our site, you agree that we and Microsoft can collect and use this data. Our privacy statement has more details.

Copyright ©2006 - 2025 Restless Chipotle Media, LLC

Picklefork Tales Copyright ©2025 Marye Audet, Restless Chipotle Media

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.