Description
Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Bake combines your favorite burger flavors in a comforting casserole that’ll make dinner feel like a celebration. Hearty pasta, crispy bacon, and melted cheese create a crowd-pleasing meal your family will devour in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Protein:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 packet bacon, diced
Seasoning and Aromatics:
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon Montreal steak seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon dill relish
Liquid and Cheese:
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- 0.5 ounces penne pasta
Instructions
- Boil 0.5 ounces penne pasta according to package directions at medium-high heat for 8-9 minutes. Drain and set aside in a separate bowl.
- Place bacon pieces in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for 4-5 minutes until crispy and golden brown. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
- In the same skillet with remaining bacon fat, sauté ½ yellow onion until translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add 2 pounds ground beef to the skillet. Cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking into small crumbles until no pink remains. Drain off excess fat.
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon Montreal steak seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon onion powder over the beef. Stir to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Pour 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon dill relish, 8 ounces tomato sauce, and ½ cup heavy whipping cream into the skillet. Mix thoroughly.
- Stir 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and half the cooked bacon into the beef mixture until smoothly combined.
- Fold the cooked pasta into the skillet, ensuring complete integration with the beef mixture.
- Transfer the entire mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese and bacon pieces on top.
- Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until cheese melts completely and edges become slightly bubbly.
Notes
- Toast the bacon extra crispy for maximum flavor and crunchy texture in every bite.
- Drain the ground beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy final dish and ensure the sauce stays thick.
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with whole milk or half-and-half and use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon.
- Choose sharp cheddar cheese for a more intense flavor that stands up to the rich beef and bacon combination.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 680 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg