Description
Hearty Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta combines classic burger flavors in a comforting pasta dish. Rich beef, crispy bacon, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz (225g) pasta (such as penne or rotini)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsps yellow mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Diced tomatoes
- Chopped pickles
- Shredded lettuce
Instructions
- Boil Setup: Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a vigorous boil, then cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Bacon Preparation: Crisp bacon in a spacious skillet over medium heat until golden brown. Remove pieces onto paper towels, reserving one tablespoon of rendered fat in the pan.
- Meat Foundation: Sauté ground beef, onions, and garlic in the same skillet, cooking until beef is thoroughly browned and onions become translucent. Drain excess grease.
- Sauce Development: Whisk beef broth, heavy cream, ketchup, and mustard into the meat mixture, allowing the sauce to simmer and thicken for several minutes, developing deep, rich flavors.
- Pasta Integration: Fold cooked pasta into the sauce, ensuring complete and even coating. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
- Finishing Touches: Sprinkle crispy bacon fragments across the top of the pasta. Optionally garnish with diced tomatoes, chopped pickles, or shredded lettuce for added texture and presentation.
- Serving: Plate immediately while hot and bubbling, ready to delight hungry diners.
Notes
Control Bacon Grease: Remove excess fat after cooking bacon to prevent dish from becoming overly greasy and maintain a balanced flavor profile.
Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Monitor pasta closely during boiling to ensure al dente texture, which prevents mushiness and maintains ideal pasta consistency.
Cheese Melting Technique: Remove skillet from heat before adding cheese to create smooth, creamy sauce without causing cheese to become grainy or separate.
Customize for Dietary Needs: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives, use low-fat cheese, and opt for whole wheat pasta to create healthier version of the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 663
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1122 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 134 mg