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Loaded beef bacon cheeseburger pasta served in a white bowl topped with melted cheddar cheese and crispy bacon

Loaded Beef Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

A hearty one-skillet pasta dish packed with seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, and melted sharp cheddar cheese in a rich tomato sauce. Ready in 45 minutes and perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 620

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni or rotini or any short pasta
  • 1 lb lean ground beef 85/15 recommended, or ground turkey for a lighter option
  • 6 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped or turkey bacon or beef bacon
  • 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded freshly shredded melts smoother than pre-shredded
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1.5 cups tomato sauce or homemade or creamy tomato sauce
  • 0.5 tsp salt or to taste
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce optional but highly recommended

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Slotted spoon
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until just al dente, about 8 to 9 minutes for elbow macaroni. Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until crispy and golden, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon onto a paper towel-lined plate. Leave the bacon grease in the skillet.
  3. Add chopped onion to the same skillet over medium heat. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  4. Add ground beef to the skillet. Break into small pieces and cook over medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes until fully browned with no pink remaining. Drain excess fat if needed, leaving a small amount for richness.
  5. Stir in tomato sauce, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
  6. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and stir until evenly combined. If the mixture is too thick, add beef broth or water a few tablespoons at a time until saucy.
  7. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese in batches, stirring between each addition until fully melted and creamy. Fold in most of the crispy bacon, reserving a handful for topping.
  8. Scoop into bowls. Top with reserved bacon and extra shredded cheese if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Use freshly shredded cheddar for the smoothest melt. For a creamier sauce, stir in 2 tbsp of cream cheese or sour cream along with the cheddar. Add a pinch of smoked paprika if skipping the bacon. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat well with a splash of broth.