Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

A creamy pasta dish that combines smoky bacon, ground beef, and cheddar cheese in a rich tomato-cream sauce.

Scale

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until crisp, about 6–8 minutes. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels; reserve 1 tbsp bacon fat in the pan.
Increase heat to medium-high and add ground beef. Brown until no pink remains, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Reduce heat to medium, add butter, and melt. Stir in chopped onion and sauté until translucent, 4–5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
Sprinkle flour over aromatics and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in beef broth and tomato sauce, scraping browned bits from the pan.
Bring to a simmer, then add dry pasta and half-and-half. Stir to combine. Cover and simmer until pasta is al dente, about 12–14 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar and most of the chopped bacon, reserving some for garnish. Stir until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy.
Taste and season with salt and black pepper. Serve hot, garnished with remaining bacon and optional pickle slices.

This dish is best served immediately but leftovers reheat well. For a spicy variation, add red pepper flakes.