Description
Indulging in this loaded bacon cheeseburger alfredo pasta brings comfort food to new heights. Creamy sauce, crispy bacon, and melted cheese combine for a satisfying meal that delights hungry diners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, rotini, or fettuccine)
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (120 ml) milk
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsps ketchup (optional, for cheeseburger flavor)
- 1 tsp mustard (optional)
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Chopped green onions
- Extra bacon crumbles
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Drain completely and lightly coat with olive oil to prevent sticking, then set aside.
- Meat Foundation: Sear ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until thoroughly browned. Drain excess fat, then incorporate diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent.
- Sauce Creation: Reduce skillet temperature and blend heavy cream, milk, ketchup, mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture. Simmer gently, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.
- Cheese Integration: Fold sharp cheddar and Parmesan cheeses into the sauce, stirring continuously. Add crispy bacon pieces and continue stirring until cheese completely melts, creating a rich, creamy consistency.
- Final Assembly: Combine pasta with the decadent sauce, ensuring each pasta strand is lavishly coated. Warm through briefly to marry all flavors and enhance overall texture.
- Serving Presentation: Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with fresh green onion slivers and additional crispy bacon crumbles for a vibrant, textural finish.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness, ensuring a firm bite that holds up against the rich, creamy sauce.
- Fat Management: Drain excess beef fat carefully to control dish richness and prevent an overly greasy final result.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Add cheeses gradually off direct heat, stirring constantly to create a smooth, lump-free sauce without scorching.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap ground beef for turkey, use low-fat dairy alternatives, or create a gluten-free version with appropriate pasta substitutions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 695
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1050 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg