Who doesn’t love a juicy cheeseburger? And who can resist a comforting bowl of pasta? This Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta brings the best of both worlds into one incredible, easy-to-make skillet meal. Imagine tender pasta coated in a rich, creamy, cheesy sauce, studded with savory ground beef and smoky bacon, and infused with all those classic cheeseburger condiments. It’s hearty, it’s satisfying, and it’s about to become your family’s new favorite weeknight dinner. Forget choosing between a burger and pasta – now you can have both!
Why I Love This Recipe
I’m a big fan of meals that deliver huge flavor without a huge fuss, and this Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta absolutely fits the bill. What I particularly love about this recipe is how it captures the essence of a bacon cheeseburger in a comforting pasta dish. The balance of the rich beef, the salty bacon, and the tangy sweetness from the ketchup and mustard makes every bite incredibly satisfying. It’s a fantastic way to use up pantry staples, and it comes together quickly in just one skillet, which means less cleanup – a win-win in my book! It’s pure comfort food that’s guaranteed to be a hit with both kids and adults.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this irresistible pasta dish:
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 recommended)
- 1/2 medium onion, diced
- 4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 12 ounces cooked pasta of your choice (elbow macaroni, cavatappi, or shells work great)
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Swaps and Notes
This pasta dish is wonderfully adaptable. Here are a few ideas to customize it:
- Ground Meat: You can easily swap ground beef for ground turkey or a mix of beef and pork.
- Bacon: If you prefer, you can use pre-cooked bacon bits for a quicker prep, but cooking fresh bacon adds more flavor to the skillet.
- Cheese: Feel free to mix up the cheese! Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or even a smoked Gouda would be delicious additions or substitutions.
- Pasta: Any short pasta shape that holds sauce well, like ditalini, rotini, or penne, would work beautifully.
- Spice: For a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic, or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce.
- Veggies: You can sneak in extra vegetables like diced bell peppers (add with the onion) or a handful of fresh spinach (stir in at the end).
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta and ensure your beef broth and Worcestershire sauce are gluten-free.
List of Steps for the Recipe
Let’s get this deliciousness cooking!
- Brown the Beef: In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, cook the 1 pound ground beef over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add Aromatics and Bacon: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the cooked ground beef. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent. Stir in the cooked and crumbled bacon.
- Build the Sauce: Pour in the can of diced tomatoes (undrained), beef broth, and heavy cream. Stir well to combine.
- Add Cheeses and Condiments: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, ketchup, yellow mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Simmer and Season: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the cheese to melt fully and the flavors to meld together. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remember that bacon adds saltiness, so taste before adding too much.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the 12 ounces of cooked pasta to the skillet. Stir thoroughly until the pasta is well coated with the creamy, cheesy, beefy sauce.
- Serve: Remove from heat. Serve the Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta hot, garnished generously with chopped green onions. Enjoy this comforting and flavorful meal!
Tips for Success
- Drain Grease: Don’t skip draining the grease from the ground beef. This prevents your pasta dish from becoming oily.
- Don’t Overcook Pasta: Cook your pasta to al dente (slightly firm). It will finish cooking in the hot sauce, ensuring it doesn’t become mushy.
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste the sauce before adding the pasta and adjust the seasoning (salt, pepper, even more ketchup/mustard) to your preference.
- Use a Large Skillet: A large, deep skillet or Dutch oven is essential for this one-pan meal to comfortably hold all the ingredients.
- Freshly Shredded Cheese: While pre-shredded cheese works, freshly shredded cheese melts smoother and tastes better.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta is a hearty, complete meal on its own, but you can enhance it with a few simple sides:
- Fresh Salad: A light green salad with a zesty vinaigrette would be a perfect fresh counterpoint to the richness of the pasta.
- Garlic Bread: Crusty garlic bread or Texas toast is excellent for soaking up any extra sauce.
- Pickle Perfection: A side of dill pickle slices adds a wonderful tangy crunch that complements the cheeseburger flavors.
- Beverage Pairings: A cold cola, a root beer, or even a light lager would pair well with the classic burger flavors.
- Cheesy Dips: For a fun, indulgent meal, consider serving alongside other cheesy favorites like This Beer Cheese Dip is My Favorite Party Starter That Disappears in Minutes or This Crockpot Nacho Dip is the Reason I Never Have Leftovers.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Leftover Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
To reheat, individual portions can be warmed in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or broth to help re-moisten the sauce. For larger portions, gently reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, or in an oven-safe dish covered with foil at 325°F (160°C) until warmed through. The pasta might absorb more sauce upon reheating, so don’t be shy about adding a little extra liquid.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you’re a fan of easy, comforting, and incredibly flavorful one-pan or skillet meals, you’ll definitely want to try these other ChefManiac favorites:
- For another crowd-pleasing, cheesy hit, check out How I Turned a Classic Sandwich Into the Ultimate Cheesy Hot Dip.
- If you love easy dinners that come together fast, my This Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole is My Favorite One-Pan Dinner That’s Always a Hit is a must-try.
- And for a super simple way to feed a crowd, don’t miss These Sheet Pan Quesadillas Are My Favorite Way to Feed a Crowd Fast.
Final Thoughts
This Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta truly delivers on its promise: all the comforting, savory flavors of a bacon cheeseburger wrapped up in a delicious pasta dish. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights, a fun addition to your game day menu, or simply when you’re craving some serious comfort food. It’s incredibly satisfying and guaranteed to become a family favorite in no time.
Give this recipe a try, and let me know in the comments below how much you loved it! What’s your favorite comfort food mashup? And as always, for more fantastic and easy recipes, make sure to follow ChefManiac.com!
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