Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta (Printable Version)
Savory pasta with ground beef, crispy bacon, and cheddar in a creamy, cheesy sauce for a quick, hearty meal.
# Ingredients:
→ Protein
01 -
450 g ground beef (80% lean, 20% fat)
02 -
120 g cooked thick-cut bacon, crumbled
→ Pasta
03 -
340 g cooked short pasta (rotini or penne preferred)
→ Dairy
04 -
240 ml whole milk
05 -
200 g shredded sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
→ Sauce Components
06 -
15 g all-purpose flour
07 -
60 ml ketchup
08 -
15 ml Worcestershire sauce
→ Seasoning
09 -
Salt, to taste
10 -
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Steps:
01 -
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until fully browned and no longer pink, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat thoroughly.
02 -
Evenly sprinkle flour over the cooked beef and stir continuously to eliminate dry spots. Gradually pour in whole milk while stirring constantly until the sauce thickens smoothly, about 4 to 5 minutes.
03 -
Add ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well and let simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to develop a balanced and rich flavor profile.
04 -
Stir in cooked pasta, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix continuously until the cheese fully melts and all components are evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
05 -
Spoon portions into serving bowls while hot. Optionally, garnish with additional shredded cheese or bacon bits for enhanced presentation and flavor.
# Notes:
01 -
Undercook pasta slightly as it will continue cooking when combined with the sauce.
02 -
Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce.