Loaded Cheeseburger Alfredo Pasta Ultimate
Indulge in a creamy and comforting Loaded Cheeseburger Alfredo Pasta. This ultimate comfort food combines perfectly cooked pasta with a cheesy Alfredo sauce, seasoned ground beef, and your favorite cheeseburger toppings for an incredibly delicious and satisfying meal.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Large skillet
- Colander
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Serving dish or bowls
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta rotini, penne, or your favorite shape
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup chopped tomatoes
- ¼ cup chopped dill pickles
- ¼ cup crumbled cooked bacon optional
- Shredded lettuce for topping
- Ketchup for drizzling
- Mustard for drizzling
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Set the pasta aside.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat.
- Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the skillet.
- Cook until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, and cream cheese.
- Continue stirring until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the Alfredo sauce.
- Toss to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce.
- Stir in the cooked ground beef mixture.
- Transfer the Loaded Cheeseburger Alfredo Pasta to a serving dish or individual bowls.
- Top with chopped tomatoes, chopped pickles, crumbled bacon (if using), and shredded lettuce.
- Drizzle with ketchup and mustard to your heart's content.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
Don't overcook the pasta; aim for al dente. Use 80/20 ground beef for best flavor. Melt the cheeses slowly in the Alfredo sauce over low heat, stirring constantly. Experiment with different cheese varieties. Spice it up with red pepper flakes, add sauteed veggies, or bake the pasta with extra cheese. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave, adding milk or cream to loosen the sauce if needed.