Description
A creamy pasta dish that combines the flavors of a bacon cheeseburger with Alfredo sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 cup Alfredo sauce
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 4 oz bacon (about 6–8 slices), cooked crisp and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup pickles, chopped
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne and cook until al dente according to the package. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and crumble.
- Pour off most of the bacon fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the skillet. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and brown until there’s no pink, about 6–8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the Alfredo sauce and 2–4 tablespoons of reserved pasta water. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add the drained pasta and toss to coat. Stir in the shredded cheddar until melted and smooth. Use more pasta water if needed.
- Fold in the chopped pickles and most of the crumbled bacon. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Plate immediately and top with remaining bacon. Serve with extra pickles or chopped green onions if desired.
Notes
For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of Alfredo and low-fat cheese. You can also bake it for a different presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American