The other day I woke up craving a big ol’ bacon cheeseburger and I just couldn’t stop thinking about one! Now, I can make a pretty mean lightened up cheeseburger, but I wanted to make something just a lil different so, this One Pot Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta was born and oh lordy, I’m so happy it was!
I want to keep this post just a lil shorter and sweeter because guess what?
It’s sunny…
It’s 65 degrees…
It’s April, and… [drumroll]
It’s not snowing anymore!!
It’s SPRING! (please don’t let that be a jinx)
And, I’ve offically got spring fever. I want to clean all the things, grill all the things, plant all the things, and live outside. However, I’m sitting here on this lovely Spring-y, Sunday morning to write this lil ol’ post to you, my dear friends, because I love ya and because I tortured y’all by showing you this One Pot Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta for daaaaaaaays last week on Instagram with promises of it being up this weekend. You were all so excited and I just didn’t know, and I didn’t look at the forecast. (I mean, who even looks at forecasts anymore?)
I shouldn’t have procrastinated all week as I so often do. But do you wanna know something very personal about me? I am a huge procrastinator, and I work best when it’s very last minute. I fly by the seat of my pants, and I just kinda wing everything. So I’m going to quickly write this post, and then I think I’m going to pack a bag, and just move outside. I can hear Pepper and Eric out there flying a kite right now. But first, I’m gonna finish up here inside, in front of the laptop. Because I love all you guys, and I hope you make this right now… I just know you’re going to love it!
Okay, let me tell you why you should make this like yesterday:
- It’s easy-peasy.
- It’s made in one pot, aka my favorite thing.
- It’s a ton of food for very few Weight Watchers Points, and it’s lighter in calories.
- It’s cheeseburger-ey heaven.
- It’s flavorlicious. (new word, you like?)
- It makes for perfect meal prep because it reheats deliciously!
To the kitchen we go!
Chop up some red onion. It’ll be a heaping cup full.
Chop up some center cut bacon too, then throw it in a hot skillet. Cook it up for a few minutes.
Be sure your skillet has a tight fitting lid. Since this is a one pot meal that means that you’re noodles will be made in it too and in order for them to cook properly, you’re going to need that lid.
Here’s a link to the skillet I use. It’s tried and true in all of my one pot meals. I love this skillet.
Click here for skillet. (affiliate)
When the bacon has started to crisp up, throw in your chopped up red onion.
Let it cook for a few minutes until the bacon is crisp, and the onions are soft.
Now right here, you can go one of two ways: You can leave the bacon and onions in (like I do), or you can remove them and toss them back in at the end when the pasta is all done. This helps keep the bacon a bit more crispy. Some people would rather do it that way. It’s totally up to you! I leave it in the pan, and let those flavors blend together!
Add in the ground beef, break apart with spatula, and continue to cook until browned- drain any excess grease out of the pan.
I will always, always, always, use Lawry’s Seasoned Salt on a classic cheeseburger. Since, I’m going for the classic bacon cheeseburger flavor in this dish, It makes for the perfect combination of flavor. You can find this stuff in any grocery store in the spice section.
And because burgers and pickles go together like mac and cheese, let’s add some dill relish.
And a can’a diced tomatoes!
Stir it all together, and then stir in your dry pasta. Bring it to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, put a tight fitting lid onto the skillet, and let it cook for about 12 minutes or until the noodles are done cooking.
When the noodles are done cooking, stir in shredded mozzarella cheese, worcestershire sauce, ketchup, mustard, and half and half. Continue to cook over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens up and becomes creamy.
Let the sauce set for a few minutes, salt and pepper to taste, then seeeeerve it on up!
I added just a bit of reduced fat sharp cheddar and some crispy bacon to make it a lil more photogenic. It doesn’t need it whatsoever!
But I’m not gonna sit here and tell you that didn’t make it even more delicious.
I think this might be my new favorite food group.
It’s just so good, guys!
You’re going to love it!
And, honestly, it’s such a hefty serving size that I almost couldn’t finish it. Almost. I’m not a quitter, y’all. Not one noodle was left behind.
In conclusion, you need to make this as soon as humanly possible.
And we’re done. Time to go play outside!
With love from my kitchen to yours,
Star
P.S. It’s even better as leftovers! Hoo-ray!
One Pot Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
A one pot pasta take on a classic bacon cheeseburger meal. Perfect for weeknights and it’s incredibly delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 medium red onion chopped
- 6 slices center cut bacon chopped, raw
- 1 lb extra lean ground beef raw
- 2 tsp Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
- 3 tbsp dill relish
- 1 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
- 1.5 cups beef broth
- 1 cup water
- 8 oz pasta, dry I use Campanelle, but you can use any type of pasta that holds sauce well
- 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup fat free half and half
- 1/4 cup reduced sugar ketchup I use Heinz, found with the other ketchup
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
In a large deep skillet add chopped bacon. Cook for a few minutes and then add chopped red onion. Cook until bacon is crisp and onion is soft.
Add ground beef and break apart with spatula. Season with seasoned salt and continue to cook with the bacon and onions until meat is browned. Drain off any excess grease.
Add a can of diced tomatoes and the dill relish stir into the meat and then add the dry pasta along with beef broth, water, and a pinch of salt. Stir all together and bring to a boil and then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for about 12 minutes or until the pasta is cooked.
When the noodles are cooked, stir in mozzarella cheese, half and half, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Over medium-high heat stir constantly for about 2-3 minutes or until the sauce is thickened. Let set for a couple of minutes before serving to help the sauce thicken a bit more. Salt & Pepper to taste! Serve & enjoy!
Optional: Sprinkle with extra cheese, pickles, onions, and/or bacon, if desired!
This meal is so incredibly delicious! An entire family favorite. My husband loves hamburger helper and I refuse to eat it (so gross!) so when I found this recipe he was elated, and now it’s become a staple in our meal planning! Thank you
Yay!!
This is definitely part of my TOP 5 favorite recipes, and my husband’s too. I try to have it in my monthly rotation!
yesss!! thank you!
This was so good. One of my favorites. Thank you for creating these delicious recipes for us who are following the WW plan.
Such an easy and quick weeknight meal! I made mine in the Instant Pot and it was delish! Thanks Star!
I’m so happy you enjoyed and that it worked well in the Instant Pot!
What was the time you used in your instapot for the noodles? Also did you drain the greases too?
This taste wonderful! I am trying new recipes that are WW friendly and this one doesn’t taste like it’s sort of low in points. Thanks for all you do, Star.
I make this twice a month! My family LOVES this amazing recipe! Such a winner! I made it this last time with medium shells instead of the Campanelle and it was even better I think! The shells hold the sauce so well but really any pasta would be a winner with this! So, soo good! Thank you for sharing!
Five stars!!! Absolutely delicious!!! our whole family loves this dish!!!
This is amazing. Thank you for the recipe! 🙂
I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Natasha!
holy yum. made this for meal prep and i’m having the first serving now. topped it with some green onions and it’s delicious! great recipe.
Thank you for your recipes! They helped me be successful with weight watchers to lose 50lbs to reach my goal of pregnancy! I’m due the end of April and I’m thinking about freezer meal-prepping. Will this meal freeze? Have you tried?? It was one of my fave and would love to have it easy in the freezer!!
Hey Kristen! I haven’t personally froze this one, but I have seen a few people do it over on social media and say it’s delicious! My heart is so happy that I’ve helped you reach such an amazing goal. Wishing you a safe and easy last couple months of pregnancy!
I know that the recipe says 6 servings..do you know about how much that is? About a cup?
By the way, I just ran across your website about a month ago and I’m so glad I did! Everything that I have made from it is SOOO good! Thank you!!
Hey Keri! So glad you found me too and happy to hear you’ve been enjoying the recipes. The serving size is 1.5 cups. Just so you know where to find that next time in the printable recipe at the bottom in the “notes” section. There’s always a “suggested” serving size amount along with points/calories if that’s your thing. I hope you love this one too!
My husband hates diced tomatoes. Could I leave them out or should I do something like tomato sauce? Maybe add a bit more broth to replace the tomato water?
You could definitely leave out the diced tomatoes! I have a friend who hates them too and she just leaves them out and says it still tastes perfect.
This was a hit!! So hard to find things my kids will eat and they REALLY liked this recipe I tried for the first time last night! Will definitely be saving this in my repeats!
This was so delicious and I haven’t stopped talking about it since I made it!! Been back on ww for a month and your recipes are certainly helping me keep on the program!! Thank you for keeping my husband and I so well fed!!
This was a hit with my family! In fact, I was so disappointed there were no leftovers! Smelled yummy, looked yummy, and tasted yummy! I have been making your recipes for a while now, and they are some of my faves!!!! Thank you for recipes that we can enjoy and still watch our weight!
I made this tonight after seeing it on your Top 10 of 2018 … it is absolutely delicious!! The flavors are so devine … and very satisfying, too! I will add this to our rotation for sure. And can’t wait to have leftovers tomorrow and try other recipes of yours, as well! Thank you so much!
I’m so glad you enjoyed, Erin!! Thanks for taking the time to let me know and rate it!
Looks really good. What’s the purpose of the parchment paper in the bowl? How would lean ground turkey affect points?
no purpose- i just was trying something different for photographs since it was inspired by a takeout cheeseburger and that’s how they serve a lot of take out cheeseburgers. Ha! I’ll probably change the photos in the new year because I don’t think it makes sense to anyone but me. I’m not sure about the ground turkey it would depend on what % of fat is used. Probably a point or two less. Hope you enjoy!
***** 5 star rating… It won’t let me select the stars.
OMG I love this! Soo good for dinner and then meal prepped for lunch – can’t get enough. Even better is that my 3 yr old loves it too.
So happy you enjoy, Kassie!!! sorry the rating thing was messed up. I’ll have to check it out!
If I use lean ground Turkey instead of ground beef, how many WW smart points would a serving be?
Hi there, wondering if I use lean turkey instead of beef, will it be less spoints? If so, how many? Thank you!
Hi there, wondering if I use lean turkey instead of beef, will it be less spicy? If so, how many? Thank you!
I want to double this recipe, do you recommend changing anything or just double everything? I am doing the same withe Creamy white chicken chili that was amazing the last time I made it and there was none left so I need to double that too!
I think just doubling everything should be just fine!
I really want to make this but am a full-time student with little time to cook. Do you think this could be made in the crockpot?
More than likely yes, but I haven’t tried it personally so I don’t have the time and measurements down for that method.
Star,
I just wanted you to know that I love your recipes and blog! It is key in my weight loss journey that I eat foods that are yummy and don’t make me feel like I’m punishing myself! Also, I love your recipes with lots of servings so I can have leftovers for the week! I’m a busy single mama and I need yummy and easy meals! Thank you for all you do! You are amazing!!!!
Can you use milk instead of half and half? My only missing ingredient is half and half. Thanks!
Do you drain the fat off of your hamburger at all?
Since I used extra lean ground beef- I didn’t need to.
Wow! Just read it for the THIRD TIME and saw when to add it.. you are amazing.. me, not so much! ♀️
Toni
Hi Starr! I was wondering when you add the beef broth and water? Thank you!
Toni
Is the extra lean ground beef 93/7 or 96/4?! Thank you!
Extra lean is 96/4! In some stores its 95% hope you enjoy!
Any tips for using gluten free noodles?
I’m sorry I haven’t used gluten free noodles much, but it should work out just fine! I’d just check them while you’re cooking them with everything else to make sure they don’t get overcooked/undercooked.
I made this de-lish dish with gluten free (brown rice) pasta tonight and… Oh, My, YUM!!!!
I’m making this tonight…finally! Is that parchment paper you put it in in your bowl? What’s the purpose of doing that?
I too was wondering about the parchment paper in the bowl. Please tell me the purpose. Thanks!
no purpose- i just was trying something different for photographs since when you get a takeout cheeseburger, that’s how they’re served. ha! it obviously doesn’t make much sense to anyone but me. I’ll probably update the photos in the new year. Hope you enjoy!
Only one complaint. It was so good, I couldn’t put down my Fork! Simply awesome!
Hi Star, do you think the One Pot Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta could be made in the Instapot? I’m new to the Instapot and I have not yet made any pasta in it.
P.S. I love love love your marinade, Chicken Con Broccoli, Chipotle Chicken and Southwestern egg rolls (first egg roll I ever made in my life and they were super easy and fun!) Thanks for all you do. We love you!!!
Hi Hollie! I’m soon happy you love all the recipes! I have no doubt that this pasta can be made in the Instant Pot. However, I don’t have one so I don’t know the exact changes that would need to happen. My guess is that the liquid might need to change a little? Not sure! I hope you love it. Let me know how it goes if you try it in the pot!