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Comforting Cheeseburger Pasta

Category: Lunch

This meal brings together crispy bacon and seasoned beef with perfectly cooked rotini pasta all smothered in a rich, cheesy sauce. The sauce is built from butter and flour then blended with cream, milk, mustard, ketchup, pickle juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce for a nice tangy flavor. The pasta gets folded in gently so every bit is covered, topped off with extra bacon for crunch. It’s a great choice for a warm family dinner you can make in under an hour.

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Dana
Recipe Created By Dana
Last updated on Thu, 08 Jan 2026 19:24:14 GMT
A delicious meal of pasta and meat. Save
A delicious meal of pasta and meat. | chefsnaps.com

This cheesy bacon pasta blends the cozy flavors of a cheeseburger with the ease of a one-pot meal. Creamy cheese sauce coats every swirl of rotini while smoky bacon and seasoned beef add bold, satisfying taste. It’s a great dinner when you want something warm and simple that feels like home.

I whipped this up to clear out some leftover beef and bacon and was amazed how nicely it came together. It quickly turned into a go-to warm, filling meal that’s a bit nostalgic too.

Needed Ingredients

  • Bacon strips: add smoky crunch—thick cuts crisp best
  • Ground beef: seasoned like steak for juicy flavor—80-85% lean hits the sweet spot
  • Rotini pasta: great shape to hold the sauce—pick dried pasta that cooks evenly
  • Butter or saved bacon drippings: for starting the roux—bacon fat adds extra flavor
  • All-purpose flour: thickens sauce nicely—measure well to get the right texture
  • Heavy cream and milk: make the sauce creamy—whole milk keeps it rich
  • Chicken broth: adds a mild savory note and loosens up the sauce without watering it down
  • Yellow mustard, ketchup, pickle juice, Worcestershire, and hot sauce: bring that real burger zing
  • Sharp cheddar cheese: melts perfectly—grate fresh for best smoothness

Step-by-Step Cooking

Pasta dish loaded with cheeseburger flavors.
Pasta dish loaded with cheeseburger flavors. | chefsnaps.com

I always add a splash of dill pickle juice to the sauce because it lifts the whole dish with that classic cheeseburger punch. The crispy bacon bits on top are the first thing my family grabs, adding a fun crunch every time.

Storage Know-How

Keep leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to three days. Warm gently on the stove or microwave with a little milk to bring back creaminess. Avoid freezing since the sauce might split after thawing, so it’s best to eat fresh or chilled.

Ingredient Swaps

You can swap sharp cheddar for a cheddar-Monterey Jack mix if you want a softer cheese flavor. Ground turkey or chicken make a leaner choice while still tasting great. If you skip bacon, add smoked paprika or a touch of liquid smoke for that smoky vibe.

Great Sides

Seasonal Twists

Pasta with cheeseburger flavors served ready to eat.
Pasta with cheeseburger flavors served ready to eat. | chefsnaps.com

Making this always brings back backyard barbecue vibes with cheeseburgers in the spotlight. Turning that into pasta feels like capturing summer anytime. It’s a dish I reach for when I want comfort food that feels like a warm hug with every forkful.

Frequently Asked Cooking Questions

→ Which pasta is best for this?

Rotini works great since its spirals grab onto the creamy sauce and ingredients really well.

→ Can I swap ground beef for something else?

Definitely, ground turkey or chicken are lighter choices just adjust the spices a bit.

→ How do I make bacon crispy without burning it?

Cook it slowly on low heat, flipping now and then until it’s nice and crispy but not burnt.

→ What thickens and flavors the sauce?

A mix of butter and flour starts the sauce, then heavy cream, milk, mustard, ketchup, pickle juice, Worcestershire, and hot sauce add richness and a tangy kick.

→ Can I prep this dish ahead?

You can cook the parts separately and toss them together right before eating to keep everything fresh.

Cheesy Burger Pasta

Ground beef, rotini, and bacon mixed in a creamy cheddar sauce for a tasty main course.

Preparation Duration
15 minutes
Time to Cook
30 minutes
Overall Time
45 minutes
Recipe Created By: Dana

Type of Recipe: Lunch

Cooking Skill Level: For Moderate Skills

Cuisine Style: American

Serving Amount: 4 Number of Servings

Dietary Options: ~

Ingredients You'll Need

→ Pasta & Protein

01 340 g ground beef
02 225 g rotini pasta
03 6 strips bacon
04 1.5 teaspoons steak seasoning

→ Sauce Mix

05 60 ml chicken broth
06 45 g butter or saved bacon fat
07 24 g all-purpose flour
08 2 teaspoons ketchup
09 2 teaspoons dill pickle juice
10 170 g shredded cheddar cheese
11 240 ml milk
12 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
13 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
14 120 ml heavy cream
15 1 teaspoon hot sauce

Detailed Preparation Steps

Step 01

Use plenty of salted water and boil rotini till just firm. Drain it and set aside.

Step 02

Heat the butter or bacon fat in your pan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring all the time, for a couple of minutes.

Step 03

Slowly whisk in the heavy cream, little by little. Add the milk and chicken broth while stirring until smooth.

Step 04

Add the mustard, ketchup, pickle juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Let it gently bubble, then turn the heat down.

Step 05

Take the pan off the heat for a minute. Then slowly mix in the shredded cheddar till it’s melted and creamy.

Step 06

Sprinkle the steak seasoning on the ground beef and cook it in the skillet over medium-high heat. Break it apart as it browns. Drain extra fat, take it off the heat, and keep it for later.

Step 07

Cut bacon into thirds. Cook it slow on low in a big pan until super crispy on both sides. Keep the bacon fat. When cool, chop the bacon roughly and put aside.

Step 08

Stir the cooked beef and half the chopped bacon into the cheese sauce.

Step 09

Fold the drained rotini gently into the sauce until it’s all covered.

Step 10

Top with the rest of the bacon bits and enjoy right away while hot.

Helpful Tips

  1. Cooking bacon slowly on low heat brings out the best flavor and makes it nice and crispy without burning.

Essential Kitchen Tools

  • Large pot
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Whisk
  • Silicone spatula
  • Large skillet or Dutch oven with high sides

Allergy Information

Always check labels for allergens and reach out to a healthcare expert if unsure.
  • Has dairy and gluten

Nutrition Information (Per Portion)

Nutrition facts are provided for reference and don’t replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 610
  • Fat Content: ~
  • Carbohydrate Amount: ~
  • Protein Content: ~