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Cowboy Pasta Bake

A hearty and flavorful one-pot pasta dish loaded with ground beef, kielbasa, bacon, and smothered in a rich tomato sauce and cheese.
Prep : 10 Total : 25 minutes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 4 strips bacon chopped
  • 1 ring kielbasa sausage sliced into 0.5-inch rounds (approximately 13 ounces)
  • 1 yellow onion finely diced
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1.5 cups beef broth 12 ounces / 360 g
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons hot sauce or to taste
  • 8 ounces dry spaghetti broken in half
  • 2 cans petite diced tomatoes 14.5 ounces each, undrained
  • 0.5 cup tomato sauce 56.5 g
  • 0.5 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded (122.5 g)
  • chives chopped, for garnish

Instructions
 

Preparation Steps

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the chopped bacon, stirring occasionally, until it’s browned and slightly crisp, about 7–8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.
  • To the skillet with the bacon grease, add the sliced kielbasa. Cook until browned on both sides, about 4–5 minutes. Transfer kielbasa to the plate with the bacon.
  • Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3–5 minutes. Add the minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook for 1 more minute.
  • Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s no longer pink, about 5–8 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce.
  • Return the cooked bacon and kielbasa to the skillet. Stir to combine.
  • Add the broken spaghetti in a criss-cross pattern over the meat mixture to help prevent sticking.
  • Pour the diced tomatoes (with the liquid) and tomato sauce evenly over the top.
  • Gently press the pasta down so they are mostly submerged in the liquid. Cover with a lid and simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent sticking. After each stir, replace the lid.
  • Once the pasta is al dente, remove the lid and stir to fully combine the pasta and sauce. Smooth the surface with a spoon.
  • Sprinkle the shredded Cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover and let sit for about 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
  • Garnish with chopped chives and serve hot.

Notes

This one-pot meal makes for easy cleanup and is perfect for a weeknight dinner.