Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Alfredo Pasta
A rich and cheesy pasta dish featuring ground beef and turkey bacon in a creamy Alfredo sauce, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine or pasta of choice Penne or rigatoni work too.
Meat
- 1 lb ground beef 80/20 for flavor; leaner if you prefer less fat.
- 6 slices turkey bacon Cooked and chopped.
Sauce
- 2 cups heavy cream Can substitute with half-and-half and a tablespoon of butter.
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Sharp cheddar for punch.
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese Low-moisture melts best.
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Use freshly grated for better flavor.
Seasoning and Garnish
- 2 cloves garlic Minced.
- Salt and pepper To taste.
- Chopped parsley For garnish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/4–1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium. Add turkey bacon slices and cook until crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain, then chop. Leave 1–2 tablespoons of pan drippings in the pan and discard the rest.
Cooking
- Increase heat to medium-high. Add the ground beef to the same skillet. Break it into bite-sized pieces and cook until well browned, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if the pan looks greasy.
- Reduce heat to medium. Stir in the minced garlic and cook just 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Don’t let it burn.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer, then lower the heat to medium-low. Simmer briefly to warm through.
- Add the cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan in batches, stirring constantly until each addition melts and the sauce becomes smooth. If the sauce tightens or becomes too thick, add the reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen it.
- Return the cooked pasta and chopped turkey bacon to the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta in the sauce and heat through for 1–2 minutes.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Finish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Balance the richness of this dish with bright or crunchy sides like a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette, roasted vegetables, garlic bread. Can be made ahead and reheated.