Description
Hearty “Loaded Cheeseburger Alfredo Pasta” combines classic burger flavors with creamy pasta perfection. Rich beef, melted cheese, and silky sauce create a comforting meal that satisfies your deepest cravings in one delicious dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef
Main Pasta:
- 12 ounces (340g) penne or rotini pasta
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup dill pickles, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Boil water in a large pot with salt. Cook pasta according to package instructions until perfectly tender. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water, and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown ground beef, breaking into crumbly pieces. Drain excess fat and transfer beef to a separate plate.
- In the same skillet, sauté diced onions and minced garlic for 3-4 minutes until aromatic and softened.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, bringing to a gentle simmer. Sprinkle smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Lower heat and gradually incorporate cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, stirring until completely melted and sauce becomes silky smooth. Stir in ketchup and mustard for extra flavor.
- Reintroduce cooked ground beef and pasta into the creamy sauce. Gently toss to ensure even coating. If sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
- Fold in chopped pickles for a tangy crunch.
- Transfer to serving bowls, garnish with fresh parsley. Serve immediately with a crisp side salad or warm garlic bread.
Notes
- Pasta Selection: Choose short pasta shapes like penne or rotini for better sauce-holding capability and easier eating experience.
- Meat Preparation: Drain beef thoroughly to prevent greasy sauce and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated flavor profile.
- Cheese Melting Trick: Grate cheeses freshly and add gradually while stirring to prevent clumping and create smoother, silkier sauce texture.
- Dietary Modification: Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles for vegetarian version or use ground turkey for leaner protein option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 766 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 52 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 26 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg