This Cowboy Spaghetti recipe is your answer to a deliciously satisfying, yet incredibly easy weeknight dinner. Packed with savory ground beef, tender pasta, and a rich, smoky sauce, this one-pan wonder simplifies mealtime without sacrificing flavor.
Key Ingredients for Cowboy Spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 ounces uncooked spaghetti, broken into thirds
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping, optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
How to Make Cowboy Spaghetti
Whip up a hearty and delicious meal with this super simple Cowboy Spaghetti recipe. In under an hour, you’ll have a comforting, one-pan dish. The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward approach, allowing the flavors of the savory ground beef, smoky tomato sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta to meld together beautifully. It’s the perfect way to satisfy your cravings for a hearty, rustic meal made with pantry staples.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown the Beef and Onion: In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add Aromatics and Tomatoes: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Incorporate Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the condensed tomato soup, undrained diced tomatoes, and beef broth. Add the Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, oregano, and black pepper. Stir everything together well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Add the Spaghetti: Add the broken spaghetti pieces directly into the skillet, ensuring they are mostly submerged in the liquid. If needed, you can add a little more beef broth or water to make sure the pasta is covered.
- Simmer and Cook: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, especially in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- Rest and Serve: Once the pasta is cooked, remove the skillet from the heat and let it stand, covered, for about 5 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Serve the Cowboy Spaghetti hot, garnished with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Why You’ll Love This Cowboy Spaghetti
You’ll adore this Cowboy Spaghetti for its incredibly hearty and comforting nature, reminiscent of a comforting hug from a home-cooked meal. The rich, savory sauce clinging to perfectly cooked pasta makes every bite a delight, offering a satisfying depth of flavor that’s simply irresistible. Plus, this dish is a fantastic budget-friendly option, easily transforming simple pantry staples into a flavorful feast that rivals any restaurant.
Unlike a traditional spaghetti dish that requires boiling pasta separately and creating a sauce, this Cowboy Spaghetti streamlines the process into a single pan, saving you precious time and minimizing cleanup. The blend of smoky spices, tender beef, and tender pasta creates a harmonious taste explosion that will have the whole family asking for seconds. So, ditch the stress and dive into this easy, flavorful meal – we bet you’ll be making it a regular in your dinner rotation!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing and reheating your Cowboy Spaghetti will ensure it remains just as delicious for days to come.
- Refrigerator Storage: Allow the Cowboy Spaghetti to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, let the Cowboy Spaghetti cool completely. Divide it into individual portions or a larger freezer-safe container. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, or use a dedicated freezer bag. Frozen Cowboy Spaghetti can be kept for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating from Refrigerator: To reheat, place a portion in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of beef broth or water to loosen the sauce and stir occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave.
- Reheating from Frozen: Thaw the frozen Cowboy Spaghetti overnight in the refrigerator. Then, reheat as you would for refrigerator-stored leftovers. Be aware that the consistency may slightly alter, but the flavor will remain robust. You might need a bit more liquid when reheating from frozen.
Final Thoughts
Cowboy Spaghetti is the ultimate comfort food, bringing together simple ingredients for a deeply satisfying meal. Give this easy, one-pan recipe a try – it’s sure to become a new family favorite!
Cowboy Spaghetti
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Drain off any excess grease.1 pound ground beef, 1 large onion
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.2 cloves garlic
- Pour in the condensed tomato soup, undrained diced tomatoes, and beef broth. Add the Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, oregano, and black pepper. Stir everything together well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup, 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup beef broth, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Add the broken spaghetti pieces directly into the skillet, ensuring they are mostly submerged in the liquid. If needed, you can add a little more beef broth or water to make sure the pasta is covered.12 ounces uncooked spaghetti, 1/2 cup beef broth
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, especially in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- Once the pasta is cooked, remove the skillet from the heat and let it stand, covered, for about 5 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld.
- Serve the Cowboy Spaghetti hot, garnished with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped fresh parsley, if desired.1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, chopped fresh parsley