Tex-Mex meets Italian in this cowboy spaghetti, a hearty pasta casserole that bursts with bold flavor thanks to bacon, ground beef and savory beans.
Instructions
1
Cook the spaghetti
2
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Editor's Tip: Because you'll continue to cook the spaghetti in the sauce and then bake it in the oven, it's good to cook the spaghetti to al dente in this first step.
3
Make the sauce
4
In a 12-inch cast-iron skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove it with a slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels. Add the beef and onion to the drippings and cook, stirring, until the beef is no longer pink, five to seven minutes, breaking down the meat into smaller crumbles as you go. Stir in the beans, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, oregano and garlic powder.
5
Build the spaghetti casserole
6
Drain the spaghetti and stir it into the skillet. Add 1-1/2 cups cheese and half the bacon. Top with the remaining 1-1/2 cups cheese.
7
Bake the cowboy spaghetti
8
Bake the casserole until heated through, 20 to 25 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with the remaining bacon and the green onions.
