When I say comfort food, I usually mean two things: pasta and burgers. So I figured, why not put them together? This loaded bacon cheeseburger pasta is everything I love about a big, juicy burger tossed into one skillet of creamy, cheesy noodles. It’s hearty, messy in the best way, and guaranteed to make you loosen your belt a notch. I grew up on good old hamburgers recipes, the kind where the cheese melted faster than you could eat. Now I get the same joy in a spoonful of this pasta. It’s got all the best parts of cheeseburger recipes—ground beef, smoky bacon, gooey cheese—plus a sauce that clings to every noodle. I’ve even had friends tell me it reminds them of a buffalo burger recipe they once tried, bold and rich. If you’re into hamburger steak recipes, or you just like experimenting with recipes using hamburger, this one’s for you. It’s proof that hamburger recipes patty don’t always need a bun to shine. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll find excuses to make it again—weeknights, game days, or whenever the craving for comfort hits hard.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Recipe
3) Ingredients for Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
4) How to Make Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
5) Tips for Making Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
6) Making Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
8) Try these Main Course next!
9) Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This pasta combines the best of cheeseburgers and macaroni into one hearty skillet meal.
Loaded with bacon, ground beef, cheddar cheese, and a creamy sauce that clings to every noodle.
Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or when you crave comfort food with a twist.
Easy to adjust with add-ins like jalapeños, hot sauce, or extra veggies for flavor variety.

2) Easy Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Recipe

Every time I think about comfort food, I picture a burger with crispy bacon and melted cheese. Then I picture a giant bowl of pasta. So one night, I just thought—why not put them together? That’s how this dish was born, and let me tell you, it’s been on repeat ever since. It’s hearty, cheesy, and just a little bit indulgent in the best way.

I’ve made a lot of hamburger meat recipes, but this one hits differently. It takes the spirit of cheeseburger recipes and folds it into noodles that soak up all that savory sauce. I’ve even been told it reminds people of buffalo burger recipe flavors because it’s bold, smoky, and satisfying.

If you’re into hamburgers recipes or even classic hamburger steak recipes, this pasta will feel like a close cousin you’ll want to invite to dinner. It’s proof that recipes using hamburger don’t need a bun to shine. Sometimes they’re even better with pasta wrapped around them.

3) Ingredients for Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

Hamburger Meat: I use one pound of ground beef, because it builds that rich base of flavor we all crave. Brown it until the edges start to crisp, and you’ll know you’re on the right track.

Pasta: Elbow macaroni or small shells are my go-to. They’re sturdy, hold the sauce, and make every bite feel balanced.

Bacon: Six strips, cooked until perfectly crisp. Crumble them and stir through the pasta for smoky crunch in every forkful.

Onion and Garlic: These simple aromatics make the sauce feel homemade and cozy. Cook them slowly until they turn golden and fragrant.

Diced Tomatoes: A can works perfectly here. They add body, acidity, and color without overpowering the cheese and beef.

Beef Broth: Just a cup, enough to keep everything saucy and rich without watering things down.

Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, shredded, and ready to melt over hot noodles. The sharper the cheddar, the bigger the flavor.

Cream Cheese: Half a cup, stirred into the sauce until it disappears and leaves behind creaminess you’ll notice in every bite.

Ketchup and Mustard: Classic burger condiments that bring a tangy-sweet balance. They’re subtle but noticeable in the best way.

Olive Oil, Salt, and Black Pepper: A drizzle and a pinch tie everything together. Don’t be shy with the seasoning—it matters.

Parsley: A sprinkle of fresh parsley at the end makes it look like you worked harder than you actually did.

4) How to Make Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

Step 1: Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until just al dente. Drain it and set it aside while you work on the sauce.

Step 2: Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté onion and garlic until they’re soft and aromatic. This is your flavor base, so take your time.

Step 3: Add the hamburger meat and break it apart with a spoon as it browns. When it’s no longer pink and starting to caramelize, you’re ready for the next step.

Step 4: Stir in diced tomatoes, beef broth, ketchup, mustard, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer gently for about seven minutes so the flavors deepen.

Step 5: Reduce the heat and stir in cream cheese until it melts into the sauce. You’ll see the texture change to velvety smooth.

Step 6: Add the cooked pasta, crumbled bacon, and cheddar cheese. Toss everything together until the cheese coats the noodles and the bacon feels evenly spread.

Step 7: Sprinkle with fresh parsley, grab your fork, and dig in while it’s still bubbling hot.

5) Tips for Making Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

I’ve tested this pasta more times than I can count, and a few tricks always make it better. First, don’t skip salting your pasta water. It sounds small, but it seasons the noodles from the inside out. And nobody likes bland pasta.

If you want extra creaminess, keep a splash of the pasta cooking water and stir it in when you mix the noodles with the sauce. It helps everything cling like they’re meant to be together. Think of it as glue, but the tasty kind.

And don’t be afraid to play with add-ins. Jalapeños add heat, mushrooms add earthiness, and a splash of hot sauce makes it feel like a whole new dish. The base recipe works great, but it’s flexible enough to match your mood.

6) Making Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Ahead of Time

If you’ve got a busy week coming up, you can cook this pasta ahead and still enjoy it later without losing flavor. I often make the sauce one night, then boil the pasta fresh when I’m ready to serve. That way the noodles don’t get too soft sitting in the fridge.

You can also prepare the whole dish, let it cool, and store it in a casserole dish. When dinner time comes, reheat it in the oven with a sprinkle of extra cheddar on top. It’ll feel like you made it fresh, and nobody needs to know the truth.

This is one of those hamburger meat recipes that actually gets better the next day. The flavors blend, the sauce thickens slightly, and the bacon settles into every bite. I sometimes think leftovers taste even better than the original.

7) Storing Leftover Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

I’ve learned to always make extra because this pasta disappears fast. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. When reheating, add a splash of beef broth or even a little milk to loosen the sauce back up.

If you’re freezing it, portion it into freezer-safe containers. It reheats well in the microwave or oven, though I recommend thawing it in the fridge overnight first. That keeps the texture closer to fresh.

When I warm it back up, I usually sprinkle on a bit of shredded cheese to freshen it up. It’s a small trick, but it makes a big difference.

8) Try these Main Course next!

9) Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta