Cowboy Spaghetti BBQ Beef (Printable Version)

Savory spaghetti with ground beef, bacon, and a smoky BBQ sauce perfect for family meals.

# Ingredients Required:

→ Meat and Protein

01 - 450 grams ground beef
02 - 6 slices bacon, chopped

→ Pasta

03 - 340 grams spaghetti

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

04 - 1 small onion, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 15 grams chopped fresh parsley (optional)

→ Canned and Sauces

07 - 410 grams fire-roasted diced tomatoes (1 can)
08 - 227 grams tomato sauce (1 can)
09 - 80 milliliters barbecue sauce

→ Dairy

10 - 120 grams shredded cheddar cheese

→ Seasonings

11 - Salt, to taste
12 - Black pepper, to taste

# Guide to Cooking:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 120 milliliters of pasta water and drain the pasta.
02 - In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp. Use a slotted spoon to remove bacon and set aside, leaving 15 milliliters of bacon fat in the pan.
03 - Add diced onion to the pan and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent. Incorporate minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add ground beef to the skillet, seasoning with salt and black pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat, until fully browned. Drain excess fat carefully.
05 - Stir in fire-roasted diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and barbecue sauce. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Adjust thickness by adding reserved pasta water as needed.
06 - Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat with the sauce.
07 - Fold in crispy bacon and shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until the cheese melts completely. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve immediately.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - For added heat, incorporate a pinch of red pepper flakes during the sauté step.
02 - Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter variation.
03 - Adjust barbecue sauce quantity to tailor the smoky flavor intensity.
04 - Enhance richness by topping with sour cream or finely sliced green onions.

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