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Top-down view of Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta ingredients including ground beef, thick-cut bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and short tube pasta.
FL Recipes

Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

This easy Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta features short tube pasta generously coated in a glossy orange-yellow cheddar cheese sauce, topped with savory browned ground beef crumbles, crispy bacon bits, and fresh green herbs.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 640
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb (450g) Short Tube Pasta Rigatoni or ziti recommended.
  • 1 lb (450g) Lean Ground Beef 80/20 blend preferred.
  • 6 slices Thick-Cut Bacon Chopped into bits.
  • 2 cups (226g) Freshly Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese Must be freshly grated for a glossy sauce.
  • 2 cups (480ml) Whole Milk Provides the creamy base.
  • 2 tbsp (30g) Unsalted Butter For the roux.
  • 2 tbsp (15g) All-Purpose Flour Thickener for the cheese sauce.
  • 1 tsp (3g) Garlic Powder Seasoning for the beef.
  • 1 tsp (3g) Onion Powder Seasoning for the beef.
  • 1/2 tsp (3g) Salt To taste.
  • 1/2 tsp (1g) Black Pepper To taste.
  • 2 tbsp (8g) Fresh Minced Green Herbs Parsley and chives mixed.

Equipment

  • 1 Dark Round Cooking Pan (Cast Iron Skillet) Essential for browning the meat and building the cheese sauce.
  • 1 Large Pasta Pot For boiling the short tube pasta.
  • 1 Silicone Whisk For creating a smooth, glossy cheese sauce.

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the short tube pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/4 cup (60ml) of pasta water.
  2. In a dark round cooking pan, cook the chopped thick-cut bacon over medium heat until crispy and dark reddish-brown. Remove with a slotted spoon, leaving 1 tbsp of fat in the pan.
  3. Increase heat to medium-high. Add ground beef, season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until savory browned crumbles form. Remove and set aside with bacon.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low. Melt butter in the pan, whisk in flour for 1 minute, then gradually whisk in the whole milk. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
  5. Off the heat, gradually whisk the grated sharp cheddar cheese into the milk mixture until you achieve a thick, glossy, melted orange-yellow cheddar cheese sauce.
  6. Fold the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce. Scatter the beef crumbles and bacon bits evenly throughout. Top with fresh minced green herbs and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 640kcalProtein: 32gFat: 34gFiber: 2g

Notes

Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese prevents a glossy texture.
Off-Heat Melting: Remove the pan from heat before adding cheese so the sauce doesn't separate.
Keyword bacon cheeseburger pasta,Cheeseburger Macaroni,ground beef pasta

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