If you’re craving the unbeatable combination of bacon, cheese, and pasta all in one delicious, comforting dish, then this Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal that brings the best flavors of a classic bacon cheeseburger into a creamy pasta dish.
Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual get-togethers, this recipe is quick to prepare yet packed with rich, savory flavors that everyone will love. Imagine juicy ground beef, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and tender pasta all tossed in a creamy, flavorful sauce — it’s like your favorite burger transformed into an irresistible pasta feast.
Whether you’re cooking for your family or looking to impress friends, this recipe is simple enough for beginners but satisfying enough for seasoned cooks. Plus, it’s customizable to suit your taste buds and pantry staples.
Let’s dive into this mouthwatering bacon cheeseburger pasta recipe that’s guaranteed to become a new favorite in your dinner rotation!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta recipe is a perfect balance of convenience and flavor. It combines the beloved elements of a cheeseburger — juicy beef, smoky bacon, sharp cheddar cheese — with the comforting texture of pasta.
It’s an easy one-pot meal that saves you time without sacrificing taste.
Here’s why it stands out:
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
- Rich and Creamy: A luscious cheese sauce that coats every bite.
- Family-Friendly: Pleases both kids and adults with familiar flavors.
- Customizable: Add veggies or swap cheeses to suit your preferences.
- One-Pot Cooking: Less cleanup means more time enjoying your meal.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni (or your favorite pasta shape)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional for extra creaminess)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon mustard (Dijon or yellow)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Equipment
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Colander for draining pasta
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cheese grater (if shredding cheese yourself)
- Knife and cutting board
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the bacon: While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Leave bacon fat in the pan.
- Sauté onion and garlic: Add olive oil if needed to the bacon fat in the pan. Toss in the finely chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Brown the beef: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Add seasonings and tomato paste: Stir in the tomato paste, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavors.
- Make the cheese sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour in the milk and heavy cream (if using) and stir to combine. Slowly add the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring constantly until melted and smooth. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Combine pasta and bacon: Add the cooked pasta and crispy bacon back into the skillet. Toss everything together gently to coat the pasta evenly with the cheese sauce and distribute the bacon and beef mixture.
- Serve: Remove from heat. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm.
Tips & Variations
Tip: For an extra smoky flavor, use smoked cheddar cheese or add a dash of liquid smoke to the sauce.
Variation: Add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach when sautéing onions for a veggie boost.
Make it lighter: Substitute ground turkey for beef and use reduced-fat cheese and milk.
Cheese swap: Try a blend of mozzarella and cheddar for a stretchier, gooey texture.
Meal prep: This dish reheats well, making it perfect for leftovers or packed lunches.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
---|---|
Calories | 550 kcal |
Protein | 35 g |
Fat | 30 g |
Saturated Fat | 12 g |
Carbohydrates | 35 g |
Fiber | 2 g |
Sodium | 750 mg |
Cholesterol | 110 mg |
Serving Suggestions
This bacon cheeseburger pasta is a filling and flavorful main dish that pairs wonderfully with simple sides. Consider serving it alongside a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness.
Garlic bread or warm dinner rolls complement this pasta well and help scoop up every bit of the cheesy sauce. For a fun twist, serve with pickles or coleslaw on the side to echo the classic burger toppings.
If you want to keep things light, steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli or green beans make a great accompaniment.
Conclusion
This Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta recipe is a true crowd-pleaser that combines the best of two beloved comfort foods into one easy-to-make dish. From the crispy bacon to the creamy cheese sauce and tender pasta, every bite is full of flavor and satisfaction.
Whether you’re cooking for your family on a busy weeknight or preparing for casual friends’ night, this recipe delivers hearty goodness with minimal fuss.
It’s also versatile enough to customize with your favorite add-ins or cheese varieties. Don’t forget to check out some of our other delicious recipes like Backpacking Dehydrated Vegan Meal Recipes for Easy Camping, Chinese Vegetarian Nasi Lemak Recipe Made Easy and Delicious, and Veg Grilled Sandwich Recipes That Are Quick and Delicious for more culinary inspiration.
Give this recipe a try and enjoy the perfect comforting meal that’s sure to become a family favorite!
📖 Recipe Card: Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
Description: A creamy and savory pasta dish combining the flavors of bacon, cheeseburger, and pasta. Perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal.
Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT25M
Total Time: PT40M
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp chopped pickles (optional)
Instructions
- Cook macaroni according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy; remove and drain on paper towels.
- Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned; drain excess fat.
- Add onion and garlic to the beef; sauté until softened.
- Stir in tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce; cook for 2 minutes.
- Pour in milk and bring to a simmer.
- Add cooked macaroni, bacon, cheddar, and mozzarella; stir until cheese melts and mixture is creamy.
- Season with salt and pepper; garnish with chopped pickles if desired.
- Serve warm.
Nutrition: Calories: 650 kcal | Protein: 38 g | Fat: 38 g | Carbs: 42 g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A creamy and savory pasta dish combining the flavors of bacon, cheeseburger, and pasta. Perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT25M”, “totalTime”: “PT40M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“8 oz elbow macaroni”, “6 slices bacon, chopped”, “1 lb ground beef”, “1 small onion, diced”, “2 cloves garlic, minced”, “1 cup shredded cheddar cheese”, “1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese”, “1 cup milk”, “2 tbsp tomato paste”, “1 tsp Worcestershire sauce”, “Salt and pepper to taste”, “2 tbsp chopped pickles (optional)”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cook macaroni according to package instructions; drain and set aside.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy; remove and drain on paper towels.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned; drain excess fat.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add onion and garlic to the beef; saut\u00e9 until softened.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce; cook for 2 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour in milk and bring to a simmer.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add cooked macaroni, bacon, cheddar, and mozzarella; stir until cheese melts and mixture is creamy.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Season with salt and pepper; garnish with chopped pickles if desired.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Serve warm.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “650 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “38 g”, “fatContent”: “38 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “42 g”}}