Description

Cheeseburger Alfredo Pasta is a delightful fusion dish combining the rich, creamy flavors of classic Alfredo sauce with the savory goodness of cheeseburger ingredients. Ground beef seasoned with spices, onions, and garlic is mixed with a luscious three-cheese Alfredo sauce and tossed with pasta, then topped with pickles, tomatoes, and optional crunchy garnishes. This comforting meal takes familiar burger flavors and elevates them into a hearty pasta dish perfect for family dinners.

Ingredients

Ground Beef Mixture

1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended for flavor)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little kick)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Pasta

1 pound pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your favorite shape)

Alfredo Sauce

4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups milk (whole milk recommended for richness)
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, plus more for serving
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, plus more for serving
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
2 tablespoons ketchup

Additional Mix-ins and Toppings

1/4 cup chopped dill pickles, plus more for serving
1/4 cup chopped tomatoes, plus more for serving
Optional toppings: crumbled bacon, chopped red onion, sesame seeds

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Instructions

Prepare the Ground Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 7-10 minutes. Drain excess grease. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper if using. Season with salt and black pepper. Cook for 1 more minute until fragrant. Set aside.
Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain pasta and set aside.
Make the Alfredo Sauce: In the same skillet or Dutch oven used for the beef (after removing beef mixture), melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook 1-2 minutes until a smooth roux forms. Gradually whisk in milk, a little at a time, until incorporated and sauce is smooth. Simmer while stirring until slightly thickened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until fully melted and sauce is creamy. Thin sauce with reserved pasta water if needed. Stir in yellow mustard and ketchup. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Assemble the Cheeseburger Alfredo Pasta: Add cooked pasta to the Alfredo sauce and toss to coat thoroughly. Add ground beef mixture and gently toss to combine. Fold in chopped dill pickles and chopped tomatoes evenly.
Serve: Serve immediately garnished with extra Parmesan, cheddar, mozzarella, additional chopped pickles, tomatoes, and optional toppings such as crumbled bacon, chopped red onion, or sesame seeds for texture and flavor.

Notes

Using an 80/20 blend of ground beef gives the best flavor balance and moisture.
Reserve pasta water to adjust the consistency of the Alfredo sauce without watering down flavor.
Feel free to swap pasta shapes to your preference; fettuccine or penne work especially well with creamy sauces.
Optional cayenne pepper adds a subtle heat; omit if you prefer milder flavors.
Add crumbled cooked bacon or fresh chopped red onion for extra texture and taste.
For a lower-fat version, use low-fat milk and reduce butter, but the sauce will be less rich.