Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Alfredo Pasta (Print version)

Crispy bacon, browned beef, tender pasta, and a creamy cheddar Parmesan Alfredo sauce in one loaded comfort-food dinner.

# Ingredients:

For the pasta and bacon

01 - 12 oz (340 g) penne, rotini, or cavatappi pasta
02 - 8 oz (225 g) bacon, chopped
03 - 1 cup reserved pasta water, as needed

For the beef base

04 - 1 lb (450 g) ground beef, 85/15 preferred
05 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
08 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Alfredo sauce

12 - 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
13 - 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
14 - 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, cubed and softened
15 - 1 1/2 cups (170 g) freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
16 - 1/2 cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese

For finishing

17 - 1/3 cup chopped dill pickles
18 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
19 - Extra black pepper, for serving

# Instructions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until just shy of al dente, then reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain.
02 - Cook the chopped bacon in a large deep skillet over medium heat until crisp, 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and leave about 1 tablespoon of drippings in the skillet.
03 - Add the ground beef and onion to the skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking up the beef, until browned and cooked through, 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
04 - Stir in the garlic, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, just until the garlic is fragrant.
05 - Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, milk, and cream cheese until smooth. Add the cheddar and Parmesan in small handfuls, stirring until melted before adding more.
06 - Add the drained pasta and toss until coated. Loosen with reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time until the sauce is creamy and glossy.
07 - Fold in most of the bacon. Remove from the heat, then top with the remaining bacon, chopped pickles, scallions, and extra black pepper. Serve warm.

# Good to know:

01 - Best served right after tossing, while the sauce is loose and glossy.
02 - Use freshly grated cheese for the smoothest sauce.
03 - Add pickles after cooking so they stay crisp.

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