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Cowboy Pasta is served hot on a plate over the white marble cooktop, garnished with extra bacon pieces for a perfect finishing touch.

Cowboy Pasta Recipe

A hearty, flavorful one-pan meal loaded with pasta, beef, crispy bacon, and a creamy, cheesy sauce. Perfect for a comforting family dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 333 kcal

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Pasta Pot
  • Slotted spoon
  • Cutting board and Knife

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces medium pasta shells
  • 5 bacon strips chopped
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium red onion chopped
  • 1 medium green or sweet red pepper chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 cups frozen corn thawed
  • 1 can 14-1/2 ounces diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1-1/4 cups buttermilk
  • 4 ounces cream cheese cubed
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Instructions
 

Cook Pasta:

  • Boil pasta according to package directions, drain, and set aside.
    Cooked pasta is being poured into a colander over the white marble cooktop, with steam rising as it drains completely.

Cook Bacon:

  • In a large skillet, cook chopped bacon until crisp.
    A large black skillet on the white marble cooktop contains chopped bacon sizzling to a crisp, while a slotted spoon rests on the side.
  • Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving 1 tablespoon of drippings in the skillet.
    Crispy bacon pieces are being removed from the skillet with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving drippings behind in the skillet on the white marble cooktop.

Cook Beef & Vegetables:

  • In the same skillet, cook ground beef, onion, and green pepper over medium heat until beef is browned. Drain excess fat.
    The same skillet on the white marble cooktop is now filled with ground beef, chopped red onion, and green pepper, browning together while being stirred with a spatula.
  • Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
    Minced garlic is being added to the browned beef and vegetables in the skillet on the white marble cooktop, creating a savory aroma.

Combine Ingredients:

  • Stir in corn, diced tomatoes, buttermilk, cream cheese, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
    Corn, diced tomatoes, buttermilk, cream cheese cubes, chili powder, salt, and pepper are being stirred into the skillet over the white marble cooktop, as the cream cheese melts into a smooth sauce.

Add Pasta & Bacon:

  • Fold in cooked pasta, Monterey Jack cheese, and crispy bacon. Stir until the cheese is melted and everything is well combined.
    Cooked pasta is being folded into the creamy sauce in the skillet over the white marble cooktop, followed by the addition of Monterey Jack cheese and crispy bacon pieces.

Add Pasta & Bacon:

  • If desired, sprinkle with extra bacon pieces. Serve hot and enjoy!
    The pasta dish in the skillet on the white marble cooktop shows cheese melting as everything is stirred into a rich, creamy combination.
  • This creamy pasta dish is a family-favorite comfort food with bold flavors and a satisfying creamy texture.
    Cowboy Pasta is served hot on a plate over the white marble cooktop, garnished with extra bacon pieces for a perfect finishing touch.