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Loaded Cheeseburger Alfredo Pasta Recipe

4.9 from 107 reviews

Loaded Cheeseburger Alfredo Pasta combines the hearty flavors of a classic cheeseburger with creamy Alfredo sauce in a comforting pasta dish. Ground beef is seasoned and browned, then simmered in a rich, cheesy sauce made with heavy cream, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses. Tossed with your choice of penne, rotini, or elbow macaroni, and garnished with pickles, crispy bacon bits, and fresh parsley, this recipe is a delicious, indulgent meal perfect for any pasta lover craving a twist on a favorite burger flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Seasonings

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

Pasta and Sauce

  • 8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or elbow macaroni)
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Garnishes

  • 1/4 cup chopped pickles
  • 1/4 cup crispy bacon bits
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta, and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
  2. Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
  3. Prepare Sauce Base: Reduce the heat to medium-low and add butter to the skillet with the beef. Once melted, pour in the heavy cream and beef broth. Stir to combine evenly.
  4. Add Flavorings: Mix in Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir well to incorporate all the flavorings into the cream mixture.
  5. Incorporate Cheeses: Lower the heat to low. Gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese while stirring continuously until the sauce becomes smooth, thick, and creamy.
  6. Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked and drained pasta directly to the skillet. Toss or gently stir to fully coat each piece of pasta in the loaded cheeseburger Alfredo sauce. Allow the pasta to simmer in the sauce for 2-3 minutes to heat through and blend flavors.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped pickles, crispy bacon bits, and fresh parsley over the top as garnishes. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the comforting, rich flavors.

Notes

  • You can substitute any short pasta like fusilli or farfalle if preferred.
  • For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes according to taste.
  • Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese yields a smoother sauce compared to pre-grated.
  • Drain excess fat from the beef to avoid a greasy sauce.
  • Make sure to simmer the pasta in the sauce briefly to allow flavors to meld perfectly.
  • For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream but note the sauce will be less rich.

Keywords: cheeseburger pasta, Alfredo pasta, ground beef pasta, creamy pasta recipe, loaded pasta dish