Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 12 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
- 1 teaspoon salt (for pasta water)
For the Cheeseburger Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Beef Bacon:
- 8 slices beef bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
For the Alfredo Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings:
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
- Extra crumbled beef bacon
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 6–8 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 1–2 minutes to combine the flavors.
- Transfer the cooked ground beef to a plate and set aside.
Step 3: Cook the Beef Bacon
- In the same skillet, cook the beef bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 4–5 minutes per side.
- Remove the beef bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cooled, crumble it into small pieces.
Step 4: Make the Alfredo Sauce
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the heavy cream and whole milk, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese and cheddar cheese until fully melted and smooth. Stir in the Dijon mustard and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 5: Combine the Pasta
- Return the cooked pasta to the pot or a large mixing bowl. Add the Alfredo sauce and toss to coat the pasta evenly.
- Stir in the cooked ground beef and half of the crumbled beef bacon. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
- Transfer the pasta to serving plates or a large serving dish.
- Top with the remaining beef bacon, diced tomatoes, green onions, and fresh parsley or cilantro.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 670 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Fat: 40g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g