Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Alfredo Pasta

We’ve all been there—hungry, tired, and dangerously close to ordering takeout for the third night in a row. But then your brain whispers, “What if… we just made something stupidly good instead?”

Enter the Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Alfredo Pasta. Imagine a cheeseburger. Now imagine it had a wild night with creamy Alfredo pasta. The result? This recipe. It’s rich, cheesy, a little over-the-top, and—best of all—you can whip it up without needing a culinary degree or the patience of a saint.

Why This Recipe Is Awesome?

  • It’s idiot-proof. I made it, and no one cried, burned down the kitchen, or had to call emergency services. That’s a win.
  • Bacon. That’s it. That’s the reason.
  • Cheeseburger vibes without the messy bun situation.
  • Fast. We’re talking 30–35 minutes, tops. That’s faster than scrolling through Netflix to find something to watch.
  • It’s loaded. Literally—there’s bacon, beef, cheese, pasta, and creamy sauce. Your stomach’s gonna be so happy.

Ingredients

Here’s your grocery hit list (and yes, you can already hear the bacon sizzling in your mind):

  • 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or whatever you’ve got that isn’t shaped like a dinosaur—unless you’re into that, then go for it)
  • 6 slices bacon (because life’s too short for less)
  • 1 lb ground beef (lean, but not too lean—we want flavor, people)
  • 1 small onion, diced (optional, but makes you feel fancy)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (or a spoonful from that jar in your fridge—you know the one)
  • 2 cups heavy cream (diet starts Monday)
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp for attitude)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (because Alfredo rules say so)
  • Salt & pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish for people who Instagram their food)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Boil your pasta. Big pot, salted water, boiling like it’s mad at you. Cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. Try not to eat half the pot while you “taste test.”
  2. Cook the bacon. Medium heat, skillet magic. Flip until crispy. Remove bacon, drain on paper towels, then crumble. Keep that glorious bacon grease in the pan—we’re using it.
  3. Brown the beef. Toss the ground beef into the bacon grease (yes, you’re welcome) and cook until no pink remains. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Drain excess fat if there’s too much, but don’t go overboard—flavor lives here.
  4. Sauté onion & garlic. Add diced onion to the beef and let it get soft and happy, about 3 minutes. Toss in garlic for the last 30 seconds so it doesn’t burn (burnt garlic = bitter sadness).
  5. Make it saucy. Pour in heavy cream and beef broth. Stir like you mean it, scraping up any tasty bits stuck to the pan. Bring it to a gentle simmer.
  6. Add the cheese. Lower heat, stir in cheddar and Parmesan until melted and smooth. This is where the magic happens.
  7. Bring it all together. Add cooked pasta and crumbled bacon. Stir until every piece of pasta is coated in cheesy, beefy goodness. Taste test (for science).
  8. Serve. Pile it high in bowls, sprinkle with parsley if you’re feeling fancy, and dig in.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Skipping the bacon grease. Why? That’s flavor gold.
  • Overcooking pasta. Mushy noodles are a crime against carbs.
  • Forgetting to season as you go. Don’t just salt at the end—you’re not a rookie, right?
  • Boiling the sauce too hard. Gentle simmer = creamy. Hard boil = weird curdled situation.
  • Using pre-shredded cheese without checking ingredients. Some brands add anti-caking powder that can mess with your sauce’s smoothness.

Alternatives & Substitutions

  • Pasta shape: Anything goes—shells, elbows, fusilli. Go wild.
  • Bacon: Turkey bacon or even pancetta works if you want to pretend you’re making it healthier.
  • Beef: Ground turkey or chicken for a lighter touch. Or veggie crumbles if you’re in that mood.
  • Cheese: Swap cheddar for pepper jack if you like a kick.
  • Cream: Half-and-half works, but you’ll miss that rich velvet feel.

FAQs

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?

A: Sure, but pasta likes to soak up sauce like a sponge, so reheat with a splash of cream or broth.

Q: Can I freeze it?

A: You can, but creamy sauces sometimes get weird after freezing. IMO, it’s best fresh.

Q: Can I add veggies?

A: Absolutely—peas, mushrooms, spinach… whatever makes you feel virtuous while eating bacon.

Q: Is this kid-friendly?

A: If your kid likes pasta, cheese, and beef—yes. If not… good luck.

Q: Can I make it spicy?

A: Oh yes. Add red pepper flakes or swap in spicy cheese.

Q: Why is mine not creamy?

A: You probably boiled the sauce too hard or used low-fat cream. Or angered the pasta gods.

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Final Thoughts

There you go—your new go-to comfort food. It’s cheesy, meaty, a little indulgent, and 100% worth the (minimal) effort. Now go impress someone—or just yourself—because you just made a pasta that’s basically a cheeseburger in disguise.

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