Description
Loaded bacon cheeseburger pasta delivers classic American flavors in one irresistible skillet meal. Hearty ingredients meld together, creating a crowd-pleasing dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Pasta and Base:
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne, rotini, or macaroni)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup (120ml) beef broth
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 cup (240ml) tomato sauce or ketchup
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream or milk
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon mustard (yellow or Dijon)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Cheese Sauce:
- 2 cups (200g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon butter
Garnish:
- Extra shredded cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley or green onions
- Pickles (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta in a pot of boiling water until al dente, following package guidelines. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Render bacon in a spacious skillet until golden and crisp. Transfer to a paper towel, crumble into bits, and set aside. Reserve a small amount of rendered fat in the pan.
- Sauté ground beef and diced onions in the same skillet over medium-high heat, breaking meat into small crumbles. Mix in minced garlic and cook until beef turns completely brown.
- Incorporate diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Allow mixture to simmer, developing rich flavors for approximately 5 minutes.
- Craft cheese sauce by gently warming heavy cream and butter in a separate saucepan. Gradually whisk in shredded cheddar cheese until completely melted and silky smooth.
- Consolidate all components by adding cooked pasta, creamy cheese sauce, and crumbled bacon into the beef mixture. Stir thoroughly to ensure even distribution and complete heating.
- Plate the dish, sprinkling additional cheese on top. Garnish with chopped parsley or sliced green onions. Optional: serve with tangy pickles on the side for extra zest.
Notes
- Use thick-cut bacon for extra crunch and robust flavor that adds depth to the pasta dish.
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a cleaner, more balanced meal.
- Consider using whole wheat pasta for a more nutritious version without compromising taste.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like sharp cheddar and pepper jack for a more complex flavor profile.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute regular pasta with gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
- Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline the cooking process and make the recipe more manageable.
- Drain excess grease thoroughly to prevent the dish from becoming overly greasy or heavy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 740
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 130mg