Description

A quick and comforting weeknight meal that combines juicy ground beef, crispy bacon, and a creamy cheddar sauce with pasta, capturing the flavor of a cheeseburger in a bowl.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
6–8 slices thick-cut bacon, crumbled
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
1 teaspoon yellow mustard or Dijon mustard
1/2 cup dill pickle chips, chopped
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water, then drain pasta and set aside.
While water heats, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan.
Add ground beef and diced onion to the skillet with the bacon fat. Break up beef and cook until browned and onions are translucent. Drain excess grease if necessary, then stir in minced garlic, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter to the skillet and let it melt. Sprinkle flour over the beef mixture and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes to create a roux.
Slowly pour in milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Add mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
Turn off the heat. Gradually stir in the grated cheddar cheese until fully melted and creamy. Stir in chopped pickles and most of the crispy bacon, reserving some for topping.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water. Serve immediately topped with remaining bacon.

Notes

Do not boil the cheese sauce; remove from heat before adding cheese to prevent it from becoming grainy. Grate your own cheese for better melting. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Taste before adding extra salt as bacon and cheese are salty.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 850
Sugar: 6
Sodium: 1200
Fat: 55
Saturated Fat: 25
Carbohydrates: 45
Fiber: 2
Protein: 40

Keywords: cheesy bacon cheeseburger pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meals, comfort food, pasta recipes, quick meals, family friendly