Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet Recipe

This Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines the familiar taste of a bacon cheeseburger with tender pasta, all cooked together in one skillet. It’s an easy stovetop meal that’s ready in about 30 minutes.

It is perfect for busy weeknights and makes enough to feed the whole family. But don’t worry if you aren’t feeding a large family because the leftovers store well and I believe it tastes even better the next day!

The combination of ground beef, crispy bacon, cheese, and pasta is always a crowd favorite. What makes it even better is that it can be topped with your favorite burger toppings like diced onions, pickles, or mushrooms. Each person can customize their serving, which makes this dish a keeper in my house.

This meal is also flexible enough to meet various dietary needs. You can easily make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta.

And for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet, there are plant-based substitutions that work just as well. Use meatless crumbles instead of beef, artificial bacon bits, and substitute the beef broth with vegetable broth. There are even plant-based cheeses that melt nicely in this skillet meal.

Best Ground Beef for Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

For the best results, use ground beef with some fat to keep the dish moist and flavorful. An 80/20 ground beef blend is a good balance. This means there is 80% lean meat and 20% fat in the beef mixture.

It offers enough flavor without making the dish too greasy. However, if you prefer something leaner, an 85/15 or 90/10 mix will also work, but the dish may be a little drier.

No matter what beef you use, be sure to brown the meat well so that it gets a slight crust, similar to what you get on a grilled burger or smashburger. Then, after it’s cooked through, drain off the excess fat.

If you’re using raw bacon instead of pre-cooked bacon, be sure to cook the bacon first and then brown the ground beef in the bacon grease. This adds a deep, diner-style flavor that’s perfect for this skillet recipe.

Best Pasta to Use

When picking a pasta for this bacon cheeseburger skillet recipe, choose a shape that can hold the sauce well. Rotini and penne are both great choices. They have enough surface area to catch the sauce and still hold their shape after cooking.

However, fusilli, elbow macaroni and even bow-tie pasta are also good options. These types of pasta have twists, ridges, and/or curves that will help grab onto the cheesy meat sauce.

Use what you have on hand, but avoid pasta shapes that are too delicate or that might break apart easily when stirred into the beef mixture.

What to Serve With Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

Although this recipe is filling on its own, adding a simple side dish can help round out the meal and stretch the servings for leftovers. Here are a few easy side dish ideas:

1. Green Salad
A side salad with romaine, iceberg, or mixed greens and a light dressing pairs well with this rich pasta skillet.

2. Garlic Bread
A slice of garlic toast or some garlic knots make a great side. They’re easy to make and are perfect for scooping up the cheesy sauce left on the plate.

3. Roasted Vegetables
Roasting vegetables like green beans, broccoli, or carrots adds a little healthy element to the meal. Just season with a little oil, salt, and pepper and roast until tender.

4. Grilled Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob goes well with anything cheeseburger-related. You can grill it or boil it, and then top it with a little butter and seasoning. See: How To Grill Corn on the Cob.

5. Fries or Sweet Potato Fries
Although it’s another carb, fries are a classic burger side dish. Make air fryer French fries or bake up some sweet potato fries for a little variety.

Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 8 oz penne pasta
• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
• 6 slices cooked bacon, chopped
• 1 ½ cups beef broth
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 4 oz shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 oz shredded mozzarella cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

Cook the Pasta
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Once cooked, drain and then set aside.

Cook The Raw Bacon and Brown The Beef
If using raw bacon, cook it first in the skillet until crisp, remove and chop it, then brown the beef in the remaining bacon grease for added flavor.

While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. Once cooked through, drain off the excess fat and then return the beef to the skillet.

Add the bacon back to the skillet with the browned beef.

Mix the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and cornstarch until no lumps remain. Pour this mixture into the skillet with the ground beef and bacon and then stir.

Add the Pasta
Stir in the cooked pasta and then mix everything together. Continue to cook over medium heat until the sauce begins to bubble and thicken. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash more beef broth to thin it out.

Melt the Cheese
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella over the top of the skillet mixture. Turn off the heat and cover the skillet with a lid. Let it sit for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted.

Serve Warm
Serve directly from the skillet and let each person add their favorite burger toppings if desired.

Toppings and Add-Ins

To make each serving unique, you can offer various toppings on the side. These can mimic what you’d find on a traditional cheeseburger:

• Diced onions
• Pickle slices or relish
• Diced tomatoes
• Sautéed mushrooms
• Shredded lettuce (added after serving)
• A small spoonful of peanut butter for a sweet and savory twist (trust me, it’s delicious!)

Let everyone build their own plate with the toppings they enjoy most. It’s a fun way to get picky eaters to try something new.

Storage and Leftovers

This bacon cheeseburger pasta skillet reheats well and makes great leftovers. Store any remaining pasta in an airtight container and then place in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

To reheat, microwave in short intervals, stirring between each one, or warm it gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce.

Enjoy! Mary

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