Cowboy Spaghetti Cheesy Twist (Printer-Friendly)

Hearty spaghetti with smoky bacon, seasoned beef, and creamy cheeses in a savory tomato sauce.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 8 ounces thick-cut bacon, sliced into strips
02 - 1 pound ground beef chuck

→ Produce

03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped

→ Pasta

06 - 8 ounces spaghetti

→ Dairy

07 - ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
08 - ½ cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded
09 - ½ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
10 - ½ cup Colby Jack cheese, shredded
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Canned Goods & Condiments

12 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices
13 - 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
14 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

→ Spices & Seasonings

15 - 1 teaspoon cowboy butter seasoning blend (smoked paprika, dried herbs)

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Cook sliced bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside on paper towels; crumble when cooled. Leave a few tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan, then add ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. Drain excess grease if necessary.
02 - Add diced onion to the skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until translucent and fragrant, about 6 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Sprinkle cowboy butter seasoning blend and toast the spices, stirring to coat evenly.
03 - Pour in fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and butter. Stir to combine and lower heat. Slowly add heavy cream and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until slightly thickened and aromatic.
04 - Cook spaghetti in generously salted boiling water until just al dente, then drain. Fold pasta into the sauce with tongs until fully coated. Stir in mild cheddar, parmesan, and Colby Jack cheeses until melted and bubbly. Top with crumbled bacon.
05 - Transfer pasta mixture to a baking dish, sprinkle additional cheese on top, and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 10 minutes until golden and bubbly.
06 - Scatter finely chopped chives over the pasta and serve immediately to enjoy a rich, creamy, and smoky dish.

# Helpful Hints:

01 - Cook spaghetti just until al dente to ensure the pasta absorbs the sauce without becoming mushy.
02 - Toast spices in bacon fat before adding liquids to deepen aroma and flavor.
03 - Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of cream or milk to maintain sauce creaminess.

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