ONE-POT COWBOY SPAGHETTI: YEEHAW!

Tired of dishes piling up and craving a hearty, satisfying meal? Imagine a delicious, flavor-packed spaghetti that cooks all in one pot, saving you time and cleanup! This Easy One Pot Cowboy Spaghetti is the answer to your weeknight dinner dilemmas, delivering a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal with minimal effort. Get ready to say “Yeehaw!” to dinner time!

Gathering Your Provisions for Cowboy Spaghetti

Before we start wrangling this delicious dish, let’s make sure we have all our ingredients ready. This is a straightforward recipe, so you probably have most of these staples on hand already!

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound Ground Beef: The heart of our Cowboy Spaghetti.
• 1 Onion: Diced, adds sweetness and depth.
• 2 cloves Garlic: Minced, for that pungent flavor we all love.
• 1 (28 ounce) can Crushed Tomatoes: The base of our flavorful sauce.
• 1 (15 ounce) can Tomato Sauce: Adds richness and body.
• 1 (15 ounce) can Diced Tomatoes: Adds texture to the sauce.
• 1 (15 ounce) can Corn: Drained, adds a touch of sweetness and crunch.
• 1 (15 ounce) can Black Beans: Drained and rinsed, for extra protein and fiber.
• 1 Green Bell Pepper: Diced, adds a fresh, vibrant flavor.
• 1 packet (1 ounce) Taco Seasoning: Our shortcut to authentic Southwestern flavor.
• 8 ounces Spaghetti: Broken in half for easier cooking.
• 4 cups Beef Broth: The liquid that cooks our pasta to perfection.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste, for seasoning.
• Optional: Shredded Cheddar Cheese and Sour Cream for topping.

How to Lasso the Best Ground Beef

Choosing the right ground beef is crucial for a flavorful Cowboy Spaghetti. Here’s what I recommend:

Choosing the Right Ground Beef:

• Lean Ground Beef (90/10): This will minimize grease and keep your spaghetti from being too oily.
• Ground Chuck (80/20): Offers a good balance of flavor and leanness. You might want to drain off some excess grease after browning.
• Avoid extra lean ground beef (93/7 or higher): It can be a little dry in this recipe.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ground beef blends to find your perfect balance of flavor and leanness!

Step-by-Step to Cowboy Spaghetti Glory

Now, let’s get cooking! This recipe is so easy, you’ll be amazed at how quickly it comes together. I promise, even beginner cooks can master this one.

Creating Your One-Pot Masterpiece:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Be sure to break it up as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
2. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. The aroma will start to fill your kitchen – get ready for deliciousness!
3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, corn, black beans, and green bell pepper.
4. Add the taco seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
5. Break the spaghetti in half and add it to the pot. Make sure the spaghetti is evenly distributed.
6. Pour in the beef broth. Ensure the spaghetti is mostly submerged in the broth. Add a bit more broth if needed.
7. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the spaghetti is cooked through and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
8. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or taco seasoning to your liking.
9. Serve hot, topped with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream, if desired.

Tips and Tricks for Stellar Spaghetti

Want to take your Cowboy Spaghetti to the next level? Here are a few tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years:

Enhancing Your Cowboy Creation:

• Spice it up! Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeno for a kick.
• Add more veggies! Feel free to throw in other vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or celery.
• Use different beans! Pinto beans or kidney beans would also work well in this recipe.
• Don’t overcook the spaghetti! Check the pasta frequently towards the end of the cooking time to avoid mushy spaghetti.
• Make it ahead! This Cowboy Spaghetti is even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld together.
• Thin out the sauce! If the sauce is too thick for your liking, add a splash more of beef broth.
• Get creative with toppings! Try diced avocado, chopped cilantro, or a sprinkle of hot sauce.

Variations to Tickle Your Taste Buds

Cowboy Spaghetti is a versatile dish! Here are some fun variations you can try:

Remixing the Recipe:

• Chicken Cowboy Spaghetti: Substitute the ground beef with ground chicken or shredded cooked chicken.
• Vegetarian Cowboy Spaghetti: Omit the ground beef and add more beans and vegetables. You can also use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
• Spicy Chorizo Cowboy Spaghetti: Replace some of the ground beef with spicy chorizo for an extra kick.

Feel free to experiment and create your own unique version of Cowboy Spaghetti!

Serving Suggestions for a Complete Cowboy Feast

While this Cowboy Spaghetti is a complete meal on its own, here are some serving suggestions to round out your feast:

Completing the Cowboy Spread:

• Side Salad: A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the rich spaghetti.
• Cornbread: A classic Southern side dish that pairs perfectly with the Southwestern flavors of the spaghetti.
• Garlic Bread: Because who doesn’t love garlic bread with spaghetti?
• Coleslaw: Adds a cool and crunchy element to the meal.

Storing and Reheating Your Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers (though I doubt you will!), here’s how to store and reheat them:

Preserving Your Pasta Perfection:

• Storing: Store the leftover Cowboy Spaghetti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating: Reheat the spaghetti in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat. Add a splash of beef broth if the sauce has thickened too much.

Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Recipe

I’m telling you, this Easy One Pot Cowboy Spaghetti is a game-changer! It’s quick, easy, and packed with flavor. It’s the perfect weeknight meal for busy families, and it’s sure to be a hit with everyone. Plus, the one-pot cleanup is a major bonus! If you enjoy the simplicity of this one-pot wonder, I encourage you to try HOBO CASSEROLE or COWBOY STEW for more delicious and easy meals. Or, if you want something a bit different but still full of flavor, maybe COWBOY BUTTER CHICKEN or COWBOY BUTTER CHICKEN PASTA will be a nice change of pace. Looking for something with a little spice? Then, I recommend SPICY CHICKEN SPAGHETTI CASSEROLE. You’ve got to give this recipe a try – you won’t be disappointed!

Cowboy Spaghetti: A Flavor Roundup

So there you have it, my friend! Easy One Pot Cowboy Spaghetti – a delicious, hearty, and easy-to-clean-up meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as mine does! Happy cooking!

One-Pot Cowboy Spaghetti

Amelia Chen-Morrison

This One-Pot Cowboy Spaghetti is a quick and easy weeknight meal packed with flavor. It combines ground beef, Southwestern-inspired ingredients, and spaghetti in a single pot for minimal cleanup and maximum satisfaction.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Southwestern

Servings 6

Calories 550 kcal

Equipment

• Large pot or Dutch oven
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Can opener
• Stirring spoon
• Colander (optional, for draining grease)
• Ladle (for serving)
• Grater (optional, for cheese)

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 8 ounces spaghetti, broken in half
• 4 cups beef broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Shredded cheddar cheese, for topping optional
• Sour cream, for topping optional

Instructions

 

• In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
• Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, corn, black beans, and green bell pepper.
• Add the taco seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
• Break the spaghetti in half and add it to the pot. Make sure the spaghetti is evenly distributed.
• Pour in the beef broth. Ensure the spaghetti is mostly submerged in the broth. Add a bit more broth if needed.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the spaghetti is cooked through and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or taco seasoning to your liking.
• Serve hot, topped with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream, if desired.

Notes

For a spicier dish, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeno. You can also add other vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or celery. Pinto beans or kidney beans can be substituted for black beans. Be careful not to overcook the spaghetti. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more of beef broth. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of beef broth if needed.