Cowboy Spaghetti

I’ve noticed a trend in the past 5 years or so online.  There are lots of homemaking blogs out there and they offer lots of good recipes and those recipes look like something out of a magazine.   So pretty, so perfect.  Just like recipes off Food Network. 

For the most part, my recipes aren’t like that.  They’re just easy, tasty food that hopefully is healthy too.  Not that I have anything against a good-looking plate of food.  If its pretty, people are most likely to eat it.  This recipe is different.

Its not pretty. At. all.  But my family loves it. Asks for it often.  Here’s how I make Cowboy Spaghetti.

You’ll need:

cooked spaghetti
cooked white or pinto beans. Or use black beans.
a pint of tomatoes and their juice. I used home canned with basil and garlic. You can use a purchased can of tomatoes if you like.
onion
bacon
fresh basil
salt and pepper
garlic
Parmesan cheese, grated
Cook your spaghetti noodles as directed on the package, cook how ever much you need. Drain the hot noodles and toss with a little olive oil, set aside.

Next, dice some bacon and onion,  heat up an iron skillet and cook the bacon and onions til the bacon is done. You can cook the bacon til its crispy or leave it kind of soft.

Now add the beans and heat.

Add the tomatoes and their juice, the fresh basil ( I roll it up and slice it) and some garlic, salt and pepper to taste.

Stir it up and heat til very hot. Add the spaghetti noodles. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and extra basil if desired.   Kids and men folk really love this dish so make plenty!