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Bacon Cheeseburger Alfredo Pasta: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

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Creamy Alfredo pasta meets bacon cheeseburger! Savory ground beef, crispy bacon, toasted bun pieces, and melted cheddar elevate this classic dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (fettuccine or your favorite shape)
  • 4 quarts water
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little kick)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 4 hamburger buns, toasted and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 4 slices cheddar cheese, quartered
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the Bacon: If you haven’t already, cook the bacon until crispy. I like to cook mine in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, but you can also pan-fry it. Once cooked, let it cool slightly and then crumble it into small pieces. Set aside.
  2. Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Sauté the Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the browned ground beef. Cook until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Season the Beef: Stir in the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  5. Combine Bacon and Beef: Add the crumbled bacon to the skillet with the ground beef mixture. Stir to combine. Reserve a small amount of bacon for garnish, if desired.
  6. Boil the Water: In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil.
  7. Salt the Water: Add 2 tablespoons of salt to the boiling water.
  8. Cook the Pasta: Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Usually, this takes about 8-10 minutes for fettuccine.
  9. Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining the pasta, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water.
  10. Drain the Pasta: Drain the pasta in a colander. Do not rinse the pasta.
  11. Melt the Butter: In a large saucepan or skillet (the same one you used for the beef is fine, just wipe it out), melt the butter over medium heat.
  12. Add the Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 5-7 minutes, or until the cream has slightly thickened.
  13. Incorporate the Cheese: Gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese, a little at a time, until it is melted and smooth. Be sure to whisk constantly to prevent the cheese from clumping.
  14. Add Cream Cheese: Add the softened cream cheese and whisk until fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  15. Season the Sauce: Stir in the ground nutmeg, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  16. Adjust Consistency (if needed): If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. If the sauce is too thin, simmer it for a few more minutes to allow it to thicken.
  17. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce.
  18. Add Bacon Cheeseburger Mixture: Add the bacon cheeseburger mixture to the pasta and sauce. Toss gently to combine, being careful not to overmix.
  19. Incorporate Toasted Buns: Gently fold in the toasted hamburger bun pieces.
  20. Melt the Cheese: Place the quartered cheddar cheese slices on top of the pasta. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it sit for a minute or two, or until the cheese is melted and gooey. Alternatively, you can broil the pasta in the oven for a minute or two to melt the cheese, but watch it carefully to prevent burning.
  21. Serve and Garnish: Serve the Bacon Cheeseburger Alfredo Pasta immediately. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese, and reserved crumbled bacon if desired. I also like to add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little extra heat.

Notes

  • For a spicier dish, increase the amount of cayenne pepper.
  • Feel free to use your favorite type of pasta.
  • If you don’t have heavy cream, you can use half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
  • Make sure to use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
  • Adjust the amount of salt and pepper to your liking.

Find it online: https://mmmflavors.com/bacon-cheeseburger-alfredo-pasta/