A bold and hearty pasta dish with ground beef, crispy bacon, tangy tomato sauce, and melty cheddar cheese. A Western twist on spaghetti that’s full of smoky flavor.
12 oz spaghetti
6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
1 onion, diced
3–4 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb ground beef
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce or 1 cup crushed tomatoes
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1–2 tsp hot sauce
Optional: 2 tbsp ketchup or BBQ sauce
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
Green onions, for garnish
Cook spaghetti al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
In a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside.
In bacon grease, sauté onion 4–5 mins. Add garlic and cook 1 min.
Add ground beef, seasonings, and cook until browned.
Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire, and hot sauce. Simmer 10 mins.
Add cooked spaghetti and reserved pasta water if needed. Stir in cheese and half the bacon.
Serve topped with remaining bacon and green onions.
Make it spicy with jalapeños or mild for kids. Reheats well and can be frozen.