Description
A delicious and comforting Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Bake that combines the flavors of a classic cheeseburger with pasta, topped with a creamy cheese sauce and crispy bacon.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) rotini pasta (or any short pasta)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup tomato sauce (or marinara)
- 2 tbsp ketchup (for that burger flavor)
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (warm)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 6 strips crispy bacon, crumbled
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella (extra topping)
- Fresh parsley or chives (for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add onion and garlic; sauté until softened. Add ground beef, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned. Stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, and mustard. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour to form a roux. Slowly whisk in warm milk until smooth and slightly thickened. Stir in cheddar and mozzarella until creamy.
- Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). In a large mixing bowl, combine pasta, cheese sauce, and beef mixture. Transfer to a greased baking dish. Sprinkle extra mozzarella and crumbled bacon on top.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with parsley or chives. Serve hot with a side salad or garlic bread.
Notes
- Feel free to substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- For extra flavor, add diced pickles or jalapeños to the beef mixture.
- This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg