Save to Pinterest A hearty, crowd-pleasing casserole that captures all the flavors of a classic bacon cheeseburger in a creamy, cheesy pasta bake.
I first made this bake for a family gathering after a busy weekday and it instantly became a requested favorite. The simple steps made it perfect for weeknight dinners and brought smiles around the table.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 12 oz (340 g) short pasta (e.g. penne, rotini, or macaroni)
- Thick-cut bacon: 8 oz (225 g), diced
- Ground beef: 1 lb (450 g), use 80/20 for best flavor
- Yellow onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Cherry tomatoes: 1 cup (150 g) halved, or 1 cup canned diced tomatoes drained
- Dill pickles: 1/4 cup (60 g), chopped
- Whole milk: 2 cups (480 ml)
- All-purpose flour: 2 tbsp (16 g)
- Unsalted butter: 2 tbsp (28 g)
- Cheddar cheese: 1 cup (115 g), shredded
- Mozzarella cheese: 1 cup (115 g), shredded
- Ketchup: 1/2 cup (120 ml)
- Yellow mustard: 2 tbsp (30 ml)
- Worcestershire sauce: 2 tbsp (30 ml)
- Smoked paprika: 1/2 tsp
- Salt and pepper: To taste
- Topping cheddar: 1/2 cup (60 g), shredded
- Chives or green onions: 2 tbsp (8 g), chopped, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the oven:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish.
- Cook pasta:
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook bacon:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve, keeping some fat in the pan.
- Brown beef:
- Add ground beef to skillet. Cook until browned, breaking up, drain fat if needed.
- Sauté vegetables:
- Add onion to the beef, cook for 2 to 3 minutes until soft. Add garlic, cook 30 seconds.
- Add tomatoes and condiments:
- Stir in tomatoes. Cook 2 minutes. Mix in ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Make cheese sauce:
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour, cook 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, cook until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar and mozzarella until smooth.
- Combine ingredients:
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, meat mixture, pickles, most bacon, and cheese sauce. Mix well.
- Assemble bake:
- Transfer mixture to baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar and reserved bacon.
- Bake:
- Bake 20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Rest and garnish:
- Remove from oven, let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with chives or green onions. Serve hot.
Save to Pinterest This dish has been a hit at every potluck, especially with kids who love classic cheeseburger flavors. Passing the pan around the table always sparks lively conversation and happy requests for seconds.
Required Tools
Large pot, large skillet, saucepan, whisk, baking dish, mixing bowl, and slotted spoon are all that's needed for this casserole.
Allergen Information
This bake contains gluten (wheat), dairy (milk and cheese), and pork (bacon). Be sure to inspect all processed ingredients if serving those with strong sensitivities.
Nutritional Information
Each serving provides 720 calories, 38 g fat, 54 g carbohydrates, and 36 g protein for a satisfying meal.
Save to Pinterest Give this bake a try when you need an easy comfort meal. It always disappears fast!
Recipe FAQs
- → What pasta works best for this dish?
Short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or macaroni hold the sauce well and provide pleasant texture.
- → Can I substitute ground beef with another meat?
Ground turkey or chicken can be used for a lighter variation while maintaining flavor balance.
- → How is the cheese sauce prepared?
Butter and flour are cooked into a roux, then whole milk is added and thickened. Cheddar and mozzarella are stirred in until melted and smooth.
- → What adds the smoky flavor in this dish?
Thick-cut bacon and smoked paprika contribute rich, smoky notes throughout the pasta bake.
- → Can this be made gluten-free?
Using gluten-free pasta and a gluten-free flour alternative for the sauce roux allows this dish to be gluten-sensitive friendly.