One Pot Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
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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!
This One Pot Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta is one of those easy dinners that makes everybody at the table happy, which honestly feels like a small miracle some nights. It’s creamy, cheesy, full of classic cheeseburger flavor, and made in one pot because extra dirty dishes are not invited to my dinner plans.
If you love cozy, family friendly dinners like my Homemade Hamburger Helper or One Pot Taco Rice, this one belongs right along side them in the rotation. It has the same easy weeknight energy: simple ingredients + big flavor! Plus, a little better for ya too!
This recipe is lighter than traditional cheeseburger pasta, but still creamy, hearty, and super satisfying. It also reheats really well, which makes it great for meal prep, leftovers, or future-you standing in front of the fridge because it’s snack thirty.
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.
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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
Ingredients
- 1 medium red onion diced
- 6 slices center cut bacon chopped, raw
- 1 lb extra lean ground beef raw
- 1.5 tsp Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
- 3 tbsp dill relish
- 1- 14.5 oz fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 1½ 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 shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup fat free half and half
- 1/4 cup reduced sugar ketchup I use Heinz
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bacon. Cook for a few minutes and then add in the diced 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.
- 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!
I made this with the barilla protein pasta and it was delicious!
I’ve made this in the past, and I’m going to make it again tonight with a few tweaks since I don’t want to go to the store. Going to use pre cooked bacon, diced tomato with sweet onion. And light cream cheese instead of half and half at the end.
Tastes like I’m eating a cheeseburger!! Yum!
Amazing recipe! So easy and so yummy! Made this for my sister and her kids and they loved it! Hubby approved as well!
I made this all of the time for my family, it’s delicious!
Absolutely love this recipe!!! I am going to try it in my instant pot tonight. Will report back!! Thanks for all your content and all the hard work you put into making these amazing recipes
I love these one pot meals! And truthfully, somehow, with all the ingredients, and different flavors, you can still taste all the individual pieces to it, REALLY bringing out that bacon cheeseburger-goodness. Kids picked out what noddles we used, and I can’t wait for these left overs this week!
This is such a staple in my house. Absolutely delicious, quick and easy!
I’m so happy you love it!! Thanks for letting me know, Deanne!