This Loaded Beef Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta brings all the best parts of a burger into a creamy pasta bowl. It smells rich and savory from the beef and bacon. The sauce is silky from the heavy cream and cheddar. Each bite mixes cheesy pull, crispy bacon crunch, and juicy beef. It’s quick to make and feels like comfort food.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
Approximate per serving:
- Calories per serving: 745 kcal
- Protein: 40 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fat: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 2.5 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
Why Make This Loaded Beef Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
This dish is fast, filling, and wildly comforting. It captures cheeseburger flavors—beef, cheddar, ketchup, and mustard—in an easy pasta. The cream makes the sauce rich and smooth. Bacon adds crunchy, smoky bites. It’s great for busy weeknights or feeding hungry friends. If you like bold, meaty dishes, it will hit the spot. For a fun party appetizer to pair with it, check out these beef bacon jalapeno popper cheese balls.
How to Make Loaded Beef Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
Follow a few simple steps and you’ll have a warm, creamy meal ready in about 30 minutes. Brown meat, crisp bacon, build a quick sauce, then toss with pasta and cheese. Finish with green onions for a bright contrast.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Green onions for garnish
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside. While the pasta cooks, chop the bacon, dice the onion, mince the garlic, and grate the cheese. Measure the broth and cream and have ketchup and mustard ready.
Step 2: Mixing
In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy; remove and set aside, leaving the drippings in the skillet. Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté in the bacon drippings until translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Step 3: Cooking
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Season with salt and pepper. Pour in the beef broth, heavy cream, ketchup, and mustard; stir to combine. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Add the cooked pasta and grated cheddar, stirring until the cheese melts and the pasta is coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water or more broth.
Step 4: Finishing
Top the pasta with the crispy bacon and chopped green onions before serving. Give a final stir so the bacon and onions mix through some bites and sit on top for crunch.
How to Serve Loaded Beef Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
Serve hot in shallow bowls so the sauce shines. Offer extra grated cheddar, pickles, or ketchup on the side for a real cheeseburger vibe. A crisp green salad or steamed broccoli balances the richness. This dish works well for family dinners, casual gatherings, or game-day meals.
How to Store Loaded Beef Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Cool to room temperature before sealing.
- Freeze: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave in short bursts, stirring between intervals.
Expert Tips for Perfect Loaded Beef Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
- Cook pasta al dente. It will soften slightly when mixed with the sauce.
- Use slightly fatty ground beef (80–85% lean) for flavor and juiciness. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Crisp the bacon well for contrast. Drain on paper towels.
- Grate the cheese fresh for smoother melting. Pre-shredded cheese can be grainy.
- If the sauce separates, stir in a little hot pasta water to bring it back together.
- Taste and adjust salt at the end. Broth and bacon add salt early on.
- For extra tang, stir in a splash of pickle juice or a little vinegar at the end.
Delicious Variations
- Bacon-free: Skip the bacon and add roasted mushrooms for umami.
- Lighter: Use half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream and lean ground turkey.
- Spicy: Add diced jalapeño or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Cheeseburger deluxe: Stir in diced pickles and a bit more ketchup for a diner-style touch.
- Veggie boost: Fold in frozen peas or steamed broccoli at the end.
- Gluten-free: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this ahead and reheat it later?
A: Yes. Make the pasta, cool it, and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of milk or broth to restore creaminess.
Q: Can I freeze this dish?
A: You can freeze it, but the texture may change slightly. Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat slowly on the stove with extra liquid.
Q: What pasta works best?
A: Medium shapes like penne, rotini, or shells hold the sauce well. Spaghetti works too, but tubular or twisted shapes cling better.
Q: How can I reduce the fat without losing flavor?
A: Use lean ground beef or ground turkey and substitute half the heavy cream with low-fat milk. Use turkey bacon or reduce bacon to 2 slices.
Q: Is this recipe kid-friendly?
A: Yes. The flavors are familiar and mild. Leave out spicy add-ins and chop the bacon small for easier eating.
Q: Can I make it vegetarian?
A: Replace ground beef with a plant-based ground meat or sautéed mushrooms and use vegetarian bacon if desired. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
Q: My sauce looks greasy after cooking. How do I fix it?
A: Skim off excess fat with a spoon or use a paper towel held with tongs to blot surface oil. Stir in a tablespoon of flour or a splash of pasta water to emulsify the sauce.
Conclusion
This Loaded Beef Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta is creamy, savory, and quick to make. It brings burger flavors to a cozy pasta bowl. Give it a try for a simple weeknight win or a crowd-pleasing meal. For another bacon-cheeseburger pasta idea in a one-skillet version, see Bacon Cheeseburger Ground Beef Pasta Skillet. Enjoy cooking, and don’t be afraid to make it your own.
Print
Loaded Beef Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
A creamy pasta dish blending the best flavors of a cheeseburger with beef, bacon, and cheddar in a quick and comforting meal.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside. While the pasta cooks, chop the bacon, dice the onion, mince the garlic, and grate the cheese.
- In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy; remove and set aside, leaving the drippings in the skillet. Add the diced onion and sauté in the bacon drippings until translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Season with salt and pepper. Pour in the beef broth, heavy cream, ketchup, and mustard; stir to combine. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Add the cooked pasta and grated cheddar, stirring until the cheese melts and the pasta is coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water or more broth.
- Top the pasta with the crispy bacon and chopped green onions before serving and mix through some bites for crunch.
Notes
For a lighter option, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and ground turkey instead of beef. This dish pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 745
- Sugar: 2.5g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 44g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 26g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
