Description
Cheeseburger pasta with turkey bacon delivers classic American comfort flavors in one skillet. Melted cheese, crispy bacon, and ground turkey mingle perfectly, creating a quick weeknight meal that satisfies serious hunger cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 6 slices turkey bacon, chopped
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Base and Aromatics:
- 8 oz (225 g) pasta shells or elbow macaroni
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a skillet or pot with olive oil over medium heat. Crisp the turkey bacon until golden and slightly crunchy, approximately 4-5 minutes. Transfer bacon to a separate plate, retaining the rendered oil in the pan.
- Utilize the same skillet to brown the ground beef thoroughly, fragmenting the meat with a wooden spoon. Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until the onions become translucent and softened.
- Season the meat mixture with salt and pepper. Introduce ketchup and mustard, stirring to create a rich, tangy base. Pour in beef broth and diced tomatoes with their juices, ensuring a robust flavor profile.
- Gently fold the uncooked pasta into the liquid mixture, guaranteeing each strand is evenly coated. Allow the contents to reach a gentle boil, then reduce heat and cover the skillet.
- Simmer the pasta for 10-12 minutes, stirring intermittently to prevent sticking. Verify the pasta has reached an ideal al dente consistency by testing a few strands.
- Remove the skillet from heat and immediately integrate shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until completely melted and creating a smooth, creamy texture. Optional: Incorporate heavy cream for additional richness.
- Reintroduce the crispy turkey bacon into the pasta, gently folding to distribute throughout the dish. Sprinkle fresh parsley or chives as a vibrant garnish before serving hot.
Notes
- Toast turkey bacon separately for extra crispiness and better texture control.
- Swap ground beef with plant-based alternatives for vegetarian version.
- Use low-fat cheese and Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream to reduce calories.
- Choose whole wheat pasta for added fiber and nutritional boost.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg