Description

A one-pan comfort food dish that combines the savory flavors of a cheeseburger with creamy pasta, featuring ground beef, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and tangy pickles.

Ingredients

Scale

12 ounces elbow macaroni
1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
8 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup beef broth
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons pickle relish or chopped pickles
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 teaspoon paprika (smoked preferred)
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup shredded lettuce (optional, for serving)
1 medium tomato, diced (optional)

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Drain pasta and set aside.
While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook for 5-7 minutes until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving rendered fat in the pan.
Add ground beef and diced onion to the skillet with the bacon fat. Break up beef and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and onions are soft. Drain excess grease if necessary, then add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Reduce heat to low. Stir in beef broth, Dijon mustard, ketchup, and paprika. Simmer for 2 minutes. Pour in heavy cream and stir well, simmering gently for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
Add drained pasta to the skillet. Stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese and pickle relish. Toss until pasta is coated and cheese is melted. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
Remove skillet from heat. Stir in crispy bacon. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve immediately topped with remaining cheese, shredded lettuce, and extra relish if desired.

Notes

Save the starchy pasta water to help thicken the sauce. Grate your own cheese to avoid anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. Use low heat when adding cheese to prevent graininess. This recipe can be made vegetarian by swapping beef for lentils or plant-based crumbles, and gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta.

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

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
Calories: 650
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 800
Fat: 32
Saturated Fat: 15
Carbohydrates: 55
Fiber: 2
Protein: 35

Keywords: cheesy bacon cheeseburger pasta skillet, one-pan dinner, comfort food, weeknight meals, pasta recipes, beef and bacon