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Loaded Beef Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

Loaded Beef Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
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Loaded Beef Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta is a creamy, cheesy, and savory dish that combines the classic flavors of a cheeseburger with comforting pasta. Featuring juicy lean ground beef, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and a luscious sauce made with heavy cream, ketchup, and Dijon mustard, this quick and easy meal is perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s highly customizable to suit dietary preferences and tastes.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 6 bacon strips, crisped and chopped
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (preferably freshly shredded)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup diced onions
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Optional Garnishes

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped or sliced green onions

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about ¼ cup of pasta water for later use.
  2. Prepare the Bacon and Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon pieces and drain excess fat from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon of fat. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onions and minced garlic to the beef and bacon mixture. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the onions become translucent and fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
  4. Make the Sauce: Stir in ketchup and Dijon mustard until well combined. Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing it to thicken slightly. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. If the sauce becomes too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually to reach the desired consistency.
  5. Combine Pasta and Cheese: Reduce heat to low, then add the cooked pasta, crispy bacon pieces, and shredded cheddar cheese to the skillet. Toss everything together until the cheese melts and the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
  6. Serve and Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or sliced green onions on top for a burst of freshness and color. Serve immediately while warm and gooey.

Notes

  • Use freshly shredded cheese for better melt and creaminess compared to pre-shredded cheese.
  • Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce thickness naturally without diluting flavor.
  • Cook bacon until crisp but not burnt to add satisfying texture contrast.
  • Season in layers by salting and peppering the beef, sauce, and pasta separately to build deep flavors.
  • Let the pasta rest for 2 minutes off the heat to allow the sauce to thicken and meld flavors before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheeseburger pasta, beef bacon pasta, comfort food, quick dinner, creamy pasta recipe

Find it online: https://marygourmet.com/loaded-beef-bacon-cheeseburger-pasta/