Everything you love about the best burger combined with a cheesy pasta. Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta is a creamy bowl of comfort you need in your life.
This Cheeseburger Pasta recipe arrived after a small kitchen epiphany: in a life full of unpredictable moments, a few reliable comforts remain.
Consider the following truths:
- Just when your schedule seems empty, it will inevitably fill up overnight.
- Serving cheeseburgers to hungry kids is an instant victory.
- Serving bacon is an instant victory as well.
- Serving pasta—unless it’s a very polarizing, fussy dish—usually wins everyone over.
- Combine cheeseburgers, bacon and pasta and you will be proclaimed culinary royalty at your own table.
Yes, I enjoy fancy dishes, and I would happily eat them, but they aren’t always the family-pleasing, everyday comfort food we need.
This recipe is comfort food in a single pot: all the joy of a cheeseburger and bacon folded into a cheesy, tomato-scented pasta. One pot, minimal cleanup, plenty of flavor—what’s not to love?
Cheeseburger Pasta
Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta blends everything good about cheeseburgers, bacon and pasta into one satisfying meal. It’s part mac and cheese, part cheeseburger skillet, and completely kid-friendly comfort food.
It’s the dish that pleased everyone when my family couldn’t decide between bacon cheeseburgers and creamy pasta—this combination solved the debate. On busy nights when time and energy are limited, this recipe comes together quickly with pantry-friendly ingredients and only one pot to wash.
The flavor is the other big win. Tender pasta simmers in a savory, cheesy tomato sauce studded with browned ground beef and crisp bacon. A bowlful of this pasta lifts the mood after a long day and is something the whole family will dig into happily.
Even if your meal plan is set for weeks, keep the ingredients for this recipe on hand. It’s reliable comfort for nights with traveling spouses, hectic schedules, school tests, field trips, or any evening when you need an easy, crowd-pleasing meal. It consistently impresses and makes dinner feel effortless.
Cheeseburger Pasta Recipe
Start by cutting bacon into thin strips and cook it in a large stockpot over medium-low heat until crispy. Remove the bacon to drain on paper towels and pour off excess grease, reserving a little if desired for flavor.
In the same pot, brown the ground beef with the finely chopped onion until the meat is no longer pink. If there’s a lot of excess fat, drain most of it; a small amount will add flavor.
In a bowl, whisk together tomato paste, ketchup, beef broth, water, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and crushed red pepper flakes. Pour this mixture over the browned beef, bring it to a boil, then stir in the dry pasta.
Cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally so the pasta doesn’t stick. When the pasta is tender, remove from heat and stir in grated Cheddar cheese and the cooked bacon until the cheese melts and everything is evenly combined. Serve immediately.
What kind of pasta should I use?
Choose a pasta shape that holds sauce well. Small shells are ideal because they cradle the cheesy tomato sauce and meat. Elbows, penne, or bow ties also work fine, but shells give little pockets of flavor in every bite.
What kind of ground beef should I use?
Lean ground beef (90% lean or leaner) is best so the finished dish isn’t greasy. Ground venison can also be used successfully for a lean, flavorful variation.
Can you substitute chicken broth?
Yes—chicken broth works if you don’t have beef broth. Beef broth gives a richer, beefy flavor, but either will make a tasty sauce.
Cheeseburger Pasta is best enjoyed right away when it’s warm and creamy. If you have leftovers, store them covered in the refrigerator for a day or two, though the dish is so good you may not have any leftovers at all.
Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
This easy cheeseburger skillet pasta is a family favorite and a smart addition to your weekly meal plan. It’s straightforward to prepare, loaded with comforting flavors, and ideal for busy nights.
Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound sliced bacon
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 onion, peeled and very finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, peeled and pressed or finely minced
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 1 cup ketchup
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder (preferably granulated)
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder (preferably granulated)
- 1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)
- 1 pound dry small shell or elbow pasta
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese, grated
Optional
- Thinly sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Stack bacon and slice into 1/4-inch strips. Cook in a large stockpot over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until crispy. Transfer bacon with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, and pour off most of the grease.
- Return the pot to the heat. Add ground beef and chopped onion, breaking the beef up with a spoon. Cook until no longer pink and the onion is softened. Drain excess fat if needed, leaving a little for flavor.
- In a bowl, whisk together tomato paste, ketchup, beef broth, water, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and red pepper flakes. Pour over the browned beef, bring to a boil, then stir in the dry pasta.
- Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep pasta from sticking. When the pasta is tender, remove from heat and stir in the grated Cheddar and the cooked bacon until the cheese is fully melted and distributed.
- Serve hot, garnished with green onions if desired.
Nutritional information is an estimate. Calculate exact nutrition based on the ingredients you use.