Cheeseburger Pasta

Cheeseburger Pasta is an easy family recipe that's made in a skillet with bacon and a creamy cheddar cheese sauce! You will love making this easy dinner recipe.

Prep Time10

Cook Time30

Total Time40

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: people

Calories: 587kcal

Author: Stephanie

Ingredients

6 strips bacon
¾ lb. ground beef
1 ½ teaspoon steak seasoning
3 tablespoons butter or bacon drippings
3 tablespoons flour
½ cup heavy cream
1 cup milk
¼ cup chicken broth or beef broth
2 teaspoons yellow mustard
2 teaspoons ketchup
2 teaspoons dill pickle juice
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1 ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ lb. rotini pasta

Instructions

Cut the bacon into thirds and fry in a large high-walled skillet or Dutch oven over low heat until crispy on both sides. Remove from skillet and reserve bacon drippings. Roughly chop the bacon once cooled. (Measure out remaining ingredients while the bacon cooks.)
Season the ground beef with steak seasoning and cook and crumble it over medium-high heat in the same skillet. Drain any grease, then remove and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted pasta water to a boil and cook the pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Drain once cooked.
While the pasta boils, melt 3 tablespoons reserved bacon drippings (or butter) to the same skillet over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tbsp. flour and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes.
Add the heavy cream in small splashes, stirring continuously. Add the milk and chicken broth in the same manner. Stir in the mustard, ketchup, pickle juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce.
Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Let the base cool for a minute, then gradually sprinkle in the cheddar cheese, stirring continuously.
Add the ground beef and half of the bacon and stir to combine. Gently stir in the drained pasta.
Sprinkle with remaining bacon and serve!

Notes

Pro Tips

I use Frank's hot sauce in this recipe. (Reminder: The hot sauce is a flavor enhancer and it doesn't make this hot/spicy.)
Be sure to shred the cheese fresh from a block as it will melt and taste much better than packaged shredded cheese. I use Cracker Barrel Sharp yellow cheese for this recipe.
Other pastas that work well include macaroni, shell pasta, and bowtie/farfalle.
I use my own Steak Seasoning for this but other varieties like McCormick can also be used.
Ground Turkey can be used instead of ground beef.

Optional Additions

Diced red onions can be added during the last 5 minutes of cooking the ground beef if desired!
Diced tomatoes and/or pickles can also be sprinkled on top at the end.
1-2 teaspoons BBQ sauce can be added with the other condiments as well.

Storage

Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Leftovers do freeze/reheat well, just be sure not to overcook the pasta. (I always set a timer.)

Nutrition