Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

Easy Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta tastes way better than the box and is healthier, too. Kids and adults love this easy one-pot meal.

Skillet Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole

When the work day has been long and supper is an afterthought, this one skillet recipe with all the flavors of a bacon cheeseburger is a life saver.

Having a busy week seems to be the norm these days. And I know many people default to grabbing the box of Hamburger Helper so they don't have to gather a bunch of special ingredients to make a crowd-pleasing comfort food.

I would like to encourage you to give this homemade version a try. Your whole family will be impressed with the beefy, creamy pasta dish that comes together in mere minutes.

This great recipe is a cinch to make. Throw a simple green salad next to it and you have a complete meal.

This Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet has no special ingredients or techniques. Heck! For this easy dinner, you only need one skillet. No need to even boil and drain pasta.

Ingredients

• Bacon - cooked and drained on paper towels. For less mess, try my Boiled Bacon approach
• Ground Beef - Or use ground pork, chicken or turkey for a budget friendly option
• Ketchup - brings a little sweet, complex tomato flavor
• Dijon Mustard - I like the mildness of Dijon, but yellow mustard works if that's what you have. You might reduce the amount if you use yellow mustard as I find it to be more pungent.
• Hot Sauce, optional - I love Crystal Hot sauce
• Garlic Powder - Brings some garlic flavor but with no chopping required
• Onion Powder - Feel free to use chopped fresh onions and add with the ground beef if you prefer.
• Seasoned Salt - I used Lawry's Seasoning Salt
• Kosher Salt and Black Pepper to taste
• Pasta Noodles - I used small shells, but elbow macaroni works great
• Beef Broth - I added Beef Bouillon to water
• Sour Cream - brings a creaminess to the pasta dish. Use can use plain yogurt or cream cheese.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese - I prefer to grate my own when possible.
• Garnish with your favorite cheeseburger toppings such as dill pickles, chopped onion, barbecue sauce, slices of American cheese, bacon strips, etc.

How to Make Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

1. In a large skillet, over medium heat, cook bacon. Using a slotted spoon remove the cooked bacon and set aside and pour bacon grease out of the skillet or try my Boiled Bacon recipe.
2. Add the lean ground beef and cook beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink and browned. Discard drippings, if needed, and return the cooked ground beef to the pan.
3. Reduce heat to low and add the ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, seasonings, uncooked noodles, and beef broth to the pan and stir well to combine.
4. Simmer for 12-15 minutes until the noodles are cooked al dente.
5. Remove pan from heat and stir in the sour cream.
6. Top with the shredded cheese until well combined. Heat on low for 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese.
7. Top with crispy bacon and other garnishes of choice and serve.

Top Tips

Storage

Allow the chili to cool before putting it in shallow airtight containers and storing up to 3-5 days.

Store in a freezer bag or container and store for up to 3 months. Allow to defrost slightly before reheating in the microwave, skillet, or oven. Be careful not to overcook the noodles.

Substitutions and Variations

Spicy Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta--Add jalapenos, green chilis, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and/hot sauce to the basic recipe to spice yours up.

Add-ins to Try-Add additional tomato sauce if you want more tomato flavor. A splash of Worcestershire sauce for some interest.

Gluten-Free Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta--Substitute gluten-free pasta, if desired.

Something Else to Try

If you're looking for other super fast, one pot, easy recipes to get a delish meal on your dinner table, consider trying--

• Quick Korean Bulgogi
• Cheesy Kielbasa Hash Brown Casserole
• Sloppy Joe Sliders
• Easy Creamy Pesto Gnocchi

Did You Try This Recipe?

Lastly, if you made Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta following this recipe, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and/or giving a 5-star rating!

I love hearing from you! I'll do my best to respond to each comment.

And of course, if you do make this recipe, tag @laughingroostereats on Instagram and hashtag it #laughingroostereats! Seeing your photos is our favorite thing!