Description
Loaded Cheeseburger Pasta is a hearty and flavorful American main course that combines the classic taste of a cheeseburger with creamy pasta. This dish features seasoned ground beef, melted sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, and smoky bacon all tossed with rotini pasta in a rich, creamy sauce topped with pickles and green onions for the perfect loaded cheeseburger experience in pasta form.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 ounces short pasta such as rotini or penne
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Sauces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
Cheeses
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Toppings
- 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/4 cup chopped pickles
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Brown the ground beef: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
- Sauté the aromatics: Add the finely diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic, salt, black pepper, paprika, and mustard powder, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Prepare the sauce: Pour in the beef broth, milk, and heavy cream. Stir in the ketchup and yellow mustard. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Melt the cheese: Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the shredded sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until fully melted and smooth, creating a creamy sauce.
- Combine pasta and toppings: Add the cooked pasta and crumbled bacon to the skillet. Stir until everything is evenly coated with the cheese sauce and warmed through.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish the pasta with chopped pickles and green onions before serving for a fresh, tangy finish.
Notes
- For extra cheesiness, add an additional 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese to the sauce.
- Ground turkey can be substituted for ground beef for a lighter option.
- Serve with a simple green salad to balance the richness of the pasta.
