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.
3cupscheddar cheeseshredded from a block- divided use
green onionsgarnish
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.