Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Alfredo Pasta
Creamy and indulgent, this Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Alfredo Pasta combines rich Alfredo sauce, browned beef, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and pickles in a one-pan meal that feels like a celebration.
Ingredients
Pasta and sauce
- 8 oz penne pasta (or another short tubular pasta)
- 1 cup Alfredo sauce (jarred or homemade) For a lighter option, mix cream with Parmesan.
Protein
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 gives good flavor) Can substitute with ground turkey or Italian sausage.
- 4 oz bacon (about 6 slices), cooked and crumbled Smoked turkey bacon can be used for a lighter version.
Cheese and toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese For extra creaminess, mix in mozzarella.
- 1/2 cup pickles, chopped (dill or bread-and-butter to taste)
- 1/2 cup onion, diced Sauté until translucent.
Seasoning and other
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil or butter
Instructions
Cooking the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Crisping the Bacon
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then crumble when cool. Pour off most of the bacon fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
Browning the Beef and Aromatics
- Add the diced onion to the same skillet and sauté in the leftover fat over medium heat until translucent, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spatula and brown until no pink remains, about 6–8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat, leaving just enough to keep the pan glossy.
Combining Ingredients
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in the Alfredo sauce and 2–4 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce into a silky texture. Bring to a gentle simmer, avoiding boiling.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly. Stir in the shredded cheddar until melted and smooth, adding more pasta water a tablespoon at a time if the sauce seems too thick.
- Fold in the chopped pickles and most of the crumbled bacon, saving a little for garnish. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Serving
- Serve immediately, topping each plate with the reserved bacon and optional extra pickles or chopped green onions.
Notes
Keep pickles crunchy by folding them in at the end. Consider mixing in a tablespoon of cold butter for extra silkiness. Reheating can be done on stovetop or microwave with care to avoid thickening.