Bacon cheeseburger pasta skillet cooks ground beef, crisp bacon, rotini, and a creamy cheddar sauce flavored with ketchup and Worcestershire sauce in one pan. It tastes like a loaded cheeseburger and is ready in about thirty five minutes.
The sauce is built right in the skillet with flour and milk, so there are no boxed mixes, and the pasta soaks up the savory beef flavor, which makes it a filling weeknight dinner the whole family eats.
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Why This Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet Recipe Works
Cooking everything in one skillet keeps the cleanup short and lets the pasta pick up the beef and bacon flavor.
A quick sauce of flour, milk, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce tastes like the classic burger toppings without any buns or condiments to assemble.
Sharp cheddar melts into the sauce for a smooth, creamy finish, and extra cheese on top adds a gooey layer.
Ingredients for Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet
- The skillet uses one pound of ground beef, two cups of cooked rotini or penne, and half a cup of crumbled cooked bacon.
- The sauce uses a quarter cup of all purpose flour, one cup of milk, a quarter cup of ketchup, one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, one cup of shredded cheddar, salt, and pepper.
Ground beef. It gives the dish its savory burger flavor.
Bacon. It adds smoke, salt, and a crisp bite.
Rotini or penne. The shapes hold the creamy sauce in their grooves.
Ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. They bring tangy and sweet burger flavor.
Cheddar cheese. It melts into a rich, creamy sauce.
How to Make Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet
1. Brown the beef. Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until well browned, then drain off the extra fat.
2. Add the flour. Sprinkle the flour over the beef and stir for one minute to coat the meat.
3. Make the sauce. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking, then stir in the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
4. Simmer. Let the sauce simmer for two to three minutes until thickened.
5. Combine. Add the cooked pasta, bacon, and cheddar and stir until the cheese melts and the pasta is coated.
6. Serve. Serve hot with extra cheddar and bacon on top.
Drain the beef well before adding the flour. Extra grease keeps the flour from thickening the milk properly and leaves the sauce thin and oily. Press the meat against the side of the skillet with a spoon to squeeze out the fat, and blot the pan with a paper towel if needed.
Add the milk slowly while stirring so the flour does not form lumps. Warm milk blends more smoothly than cold milk, though cold works if you whisk steadily. Keep the heat at medium, because a boil can make the sauce break.
How to Serve Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet
Serve the pasta hot with a green salad or steamed vegetables. For more skillet and pasta dishes, try ground beef Mexican rice skillet, cheeseburger fries casserole, penne with vodka sauce, or skillet green beans with garlic.
How to Store and Reheat Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet
Cool the pasta and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to three days. Reheat portions in a skillet or microwave with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce. Freezing is not recommended because the creamy sauce can separate.
Tips and Variations for Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet
Flag the allergens. This dish contains wheat, milk, and pork, and Worcestershire sauce contains fish.
Do not taste raw beef. Taste the sauce only after the beef is fully cooked, and wash your hands and tools after handling raw meat.
Check the temperature. Ground beef is safe at 160 F.
Shred the cheese. Fresh shreds melt smoothly.
Cook the bacon crisp. It stays crunchy on top.
Add vegetables. Diced onion and tomatoes fit well.
Use whole milk. It makes a creamier sauce.
Check trusted guidance. Review the FDA safe food handling guidance for cooking and chilling ground meat.
Cook the pasta just until tender before it goes into the skillet, and save a small cup of the pasta water. If the sauce gets too thick after the cheese melts, a splash of that water loosens it without watering down the flavor.
Customize it like a burger. Stir in diced pickles, add a handful of chopped tomatoes and shredded lettuce at the end, or squirt a little mustard into the sauce. Use sharp cheddar for the most flavor, and shred it fresh from the block so it melts smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet
How do you make bacon cheeseburger pasta skillet creamy?
Whisk the milk into the flour slowly, simmer until thick, and melt in the cheddar off the heat.
Can you make bacon cheeseburger pasta skillet ahead of time?
Yes. Cook it a day early and reheat with a splash of milk.
Can you freeze bacon cheeseburger pasta skillet?
Freezing is not recommended because the sauce can separate when thawed.
What pasta works?
Rotini, penne, shells, and elbow macaroni all hold the sauce well.
Can I use turkey bacon?
Yes. Turkey bacon works in the same amount for a lighter version.
Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Whisk
- Colander
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cup cooked rotini or penne
- ½ cup cooked bacon crumbled
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
Cooking
- Brown. Brown the beef in a large skillet and drain the fat.
- Flour. Sprinkle on the flour and stir for 1 minute.
- Sauce. Whisk in the milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper and simmer 2 to 3 minutes.
- Combine. Stir in the pasta, bacon, and cheddar until the cheese melts.
- Serve. Serve hot with extra cheddar and bacon.
