Cowboy spaghetti is the ultimate comfort food mashup of beef and bean chili and spaghetti. Each bite is savory and satisfying—it’s one of those family dinners that everyone will love. But our favorite party of cowboy spaghetti is the toppings. Instead of just a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, we’re topping each bowl with sour cream, cheese, cilantro, and more.

Tips for Making Cowboy Spaghetti

One of the best things about this recipe for cowboy spaghetti is how easy it is to customize. Here are a few of our favorite recipe swaps and tips.

• We chose spaghetti noodles for our recipe, but the hearty sauce is a good match for thicker options like fettucine or bucatini. You could also swap in a shorter noodle like penne or cavatappi.
• Instead of the lean ground beef, swap in ground chicken, turkey, or your favorite vegan meat crumble substitute.
• Want a veggie boost? When cooking the sauce, add in frozen peppers and onions, corn, or even a few handfuls of baby spinach leaves.
• This cowboy spaghetti is also great with black beans. Use them in place of the kidney or pinto beans, or try a combination of the three.
• Get creative with your toppings. In addition to the sour cream, cheese, and cilantro, try diced red onion, crushed tortilla chips, salsa, hot sauce, or lime wedges.