Description
Loaded Beef Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta is a modern comfort food masterpiece, flawlessly merging the joy of a juicy, cheesy burger with smoky beef bacon and transforming it into a creamy, satisfying pasta dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or elbow macaroni)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 slices beef bacon, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or whole milk
- 4 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
- 1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
- ½ cup extra shredded sharp cheddar cheese (for topping)
- ½ cup shredded iceberg lettuce (for garnish)
- ½ cup dill pickle chips or diced dill pickles (for garnish)
- Fresh chives or parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook diced beef bacon until crispy. Remove bacon, leaving 2 tbsp fat. Set bacon aside.
- Add ground beef to skillet; brown and season. Drain excess grease. Add onion; sauté until soft. Stir in garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder; cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in beef broth, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a simmer. Stir in ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce (optional). Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Add cream cheese and heavy cream/milk; stir until smooth. Gradually add shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses; stir until melted and creamy.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain pasta.
- Combine drained pasta with the beef and cheese sauce. Stir in half of the crispy beef bacon and the drained diced tomatoes. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
- For an optional baked finish: Transfer pasta to a 9×13 inch baking dish, top with extra cheddar, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Serve hot, garnished with remaining beef bacon, shredded lettuce, dill pickles, and fresh chives/parsley (optional).
Notes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop and Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Loaded Beef Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta, Pasta Recipe, Comfort Food