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Bacon Double Cheeseburger Pasta

Pure comfort food, this dish comes together quickly, is filled with healthy ingredients, and will make the entire family happy! Perfect weekday dinner, just add a side salad.
Course Main Course
Cuisine North American
Keyword beef, casserole, cheddar cheese, one pot meals, pasta
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 3 rashers of bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 1 lb lean ground beef, or 454 grams, see Notes
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup chopped red pepper, see Notes
  • 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp chilli powder
  • 5 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, optional
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni, see Notes
  • 1 1/2 cups milk, or 340 ml
  • 1 1/2 cups beef stock, or 340 ml see Notes
  • 1 14 oz can of diced tomatoes, or 398 grams
  • 3 oz cream cheese, cubed, or 85 grams
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese, see Notes
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, garnish
  • 1/2 cup diced pickles for garnish, optional

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook till just crispy. Drain away any excess fat.
  2. Add the beef, and brown and crumbled.
  3. Add the onions, garlic, and chopped peppers. Cook for 2 minutes, or just starting to soften.
  4. Add the Italian seasoning, paprika, chilli powder, Worcestershire and cayenne if using. Stir through. Add 1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper. Stir through.
  5. Add the pasta to the beef mixture.
  6. Pour in the milk, beef stock, and diced tomatoes. Combine. Bring everything to a boil, and then reduce the heat. If you have a lid that fits, cover partially. If not, that's alright, just don't go far. Either way, stir gently but regularly to ensure that nothing is sticking to the bottom.
  7. Cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked through and tender.
  8. Add the cubed cream cheese and stir through till smooth. Add the shredded cheese and stir till melted.
  9. Taste and re-season as desired.
  10. Serve with parsley, and chopped pickles.
  11. See blog post for more details.

Recipe Notes

Feel free to replace the beef with ground chicken or turkey. The bacon will help keep everything from being too dry. If using a very lean meat, don't drain as much of the fat from the bacon.
Feel free to replace some of the peppers with mushrooms.
You can use any small shaped pasta, gluten free or otherwise. If the pasta you choose doesn't do well left in sauce overnight, you may consider making a half batch.
You can replace the beef stock or broth with chicken broth, or use my Faux Chicken Bouillon Powder to make your own.
You can replace some of the medium cheddar with Mozzarella, Fontina or Monterey Jack.