Ingredients
Pasta & protein:
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
Cowboy butter sauce:
- 6 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley (or 1 tbsp fresh)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Creamy layer:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Top layer:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup extra Parmesan
- Optional: chopped parsley for garnish
🔪 Instructions
1. Cook pasta
Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook the meat
In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat and set aside.
3. Make cowboy butter sauce
In the same skillet:
- Melt butter
- Add garlic and sauté for ~1 minute
- Stir in Dijon mustard, lemon juice, paprika, red pepper flakes, onion powder, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper
Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes so flavors combine.
4. Make creamy mixture
In a bowl, mix:
- Cream cheese
- Sour cream
- Parmesan
Until smooth.
5. Combine everything
- Toss cooked spaghetti with the cowboy butter sauce
- Add cooked beef and mix well
- Fold in the creamy mixture until evenly coated
6. Assemble
- Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13 baking dish
- Top with mozzarella and extra Parmesan
7. Bake
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
8. Garnish & serve
Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve warm.
🍽️ Tips & Variations
- Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra texture
- Swap beef for shredded chicken or sausage
- For extra “cowboy” flavor, add a bit of cooked bacon
- Want it spicier? Increase red pepper flakes or add hot sauce