Cowboy Spaghetti (Viral TikTok Spaghetti Recipe)
Cowboy Spaghetti is a smoky, cheesy, boldly flavored twist on traditional spaghetti that's taken TikTok by storm. Loaded with crispy bacon, hearty ground beef, creamy Alfredo sauce, fire-roasted tomatoes, and melty cheese—this Southern-style pasta bake is pure comfort food with a wild west kick.
Servings: 6 servings
Equipment
- Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
- Pot for Boiling Pasta
- Baking Dish
- Mixing Bowls
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef chuck 80/20
- 6 –8 slices thick-cut bacon
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 2 –3 cloves garlic minced
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 can 14.5 oz fire-roasted diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 1 can 28 oz tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 cup shredded mild cheddar
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded colby jack cheese
- Chives for garnish
- Salt & pepper to taste
Cowboy Butter Seasoning Blend
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest or ¼ teaspoon citric acid
- Optional: ½ teaspoon cayenne for extra heat
Instructions
Step 1 – Prep and Cook the Bacon
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy.
- Remove and set on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Reserve about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan.
Step 2 – Cook the Pasta
- While the bacon is cooking, boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente.
- Drain and set aside.
Step 3 – Make Cowboy Butter Alfredo Sauce
- In the same pan with reserved bacon fat, melt 2 tablespoon of butter.
- Add all the Cowboy Butter Seasoning ingredients.
- Pour in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese, stirring to combine into a smooth sauce.
- Add the drained spaghetti to the pan and mix to coat.
- Tip: This sauce becomes the creamy base layer of your cowboy pasta bake.
Step 4 – Make the Red Sauce
- In a separate skillet or cleaned Dutch oven, brown ground beef with diced onion and garlic until fully cooked.
- Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer 10–15 minutes until thickened.
Step 5 – Layer and Bake
- In a greased baking dish, layer the cowboy butter spaghetti on the bottom.
- Pour the red meat sauce over the top.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar, colby jack, and crumbled bacon evenly across the surface.
- Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with chopped chives.
Notes
Tips for the Best Cowboy Spaghetti
- Make It Spicy: Add cayenne or chipotle in adobo to the red sauce.
- Switch the Cheese: Pepper jack or smoked gouda are great additions.
- Use What You Have: Rotini or penne can sub for spaghetti if needed.
- Meal Prep Friendly: This dish reheats beautifully for leftovers.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F
Nutrition
Calories: 1038kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 70g | Saturated Fat: 38g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 214mg | Sodium: 1013mg | Potassium: 1011mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 2298IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 630mg | Iron: 5mg
