Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta (Print-Friendly Version)
Creamy pasta loaded with ground beef, crispy bacon, and melted cheddar for the ultimate comfort meal.
# What You Need:
→ Main Components
01 -
1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend preferred)
02 -
12 oz cooked pasta (rotini, penne, or shells)
03 -
6 strips thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
→ Cheese Sauce
04 -
2 cups whole milk
05 -
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
06 -
2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
→ Seasonings
07 -
3 tablespoons ketchup
08 -
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
09 -
Salt and black pepper to taste
# How to Make It:
01 -
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking up with a spoon until well browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
02 -
Sprinkle flour evenly over the cooked beef. Stir continuously until no dry flour spots remain and mixture is well combined.
03 -
Slowly pour in milk while stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Continue stirring for 4-5 minutes until mixture thickens into a smooth sauce.
04 -
Add ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and simmer for 2-3 minutes to develop flavors.
05 -
Stir in cooked pasta, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese. Continue stirring until cheese is fully melted and everything is well coated in the creamy sauce.
06 -
Spoon into serving bowls while hot. Garnish with extra shredded cheese or bacon bits if desired and serve immediately.
# Important Notes:
01 -
Freshly grated cheese melts smoother than pre-shredded varieties
02 -
Undercook pasta slightly as it will continue to soften in the sauce
03 -
Let sauce simmer longer for deeper, more developed flavors
04 -
Can be doubled easily for larger crowds or meal prep