Cowboy Spaghetti Creamy Cheesy (Printer-Friendly Version)

Smoky bacon, ground beef, and creamy cheese coat spaghetti in a rich sauce with a savory buttery blend and fresh chives.

# Ingredients Needed:

→ Meat

01 - 1 lb ground beef chuck
02 - 8 slices thick-cut bacon

→ Produce

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

→ Pasta

06 - 12 oz spaghetti

→ Dairy

07 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream
08 - 1 cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded
09 - ¾ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
10 - 1 cup Colby Jack cheese, shredded
11 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter

→ Canned & Jarred Goods

12 - 1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices
13 - 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
14 - 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

→ Seasonings

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

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Slice bacon into strips and cook in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels; crumble once cooled. Retain a few tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan. Add ground beef to the pan and cook over medium heat until browned and no longer pink, breaking it up. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add diced onion to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent and fragrant, about 6 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic but not browned. Sprinkle cowboy butter seasoning over mixture and toast spices while stirring to coat evenly.
03 - Pour fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices and tomato sauce into the pan. Stir in Worcestershire sauce and butter until melted and combined. Reduce heat to low and slowly add heavy cream, stirring constantly. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes until slightly thickened and fragrant.
04 - Cook spaghetti in generously salted boiling water until just al dente. Drain well and immediately fold pasta into the sauce using tongs, coating noodles evenly. Stir in shredded cheddar, Parmesan, and Colby Jack cheeses until melted and sauce is bubbly and smooth. Sprinkle crumbled bacon over top.
05 - For a golden cheese crust, transfer the pasta mixture into a baking dish, add extra cheese on top, and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned.
06 - Scatter chopped fresh chives over the dish before serving to add a fresh, colorful finish. Serve immediately to enjoy warm, creamy, and smoky flavors.

# Helpful Hints:

01 - Cook pasta just until al dente to avoid mushy texture and allow noodles to absorb sauce flavor effectively.
02 - Toast spices in bacon fat to enhance aroma and deepen flavor layers.
03 - Simmer sauce gently to prevent cream from splitting and maintain silky texture.
04 - Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and can be frozen in portions.

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