Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

Ingredients

• 400 g (14 oz) short pasta (penne, fusilli, or macaroni)
• 1 tbsp vegetable or olive oil
• 300 g (10.5 oz) ground beef (80/20 for flavor)
• 150 g (5 oz) smoked bacon or lardons, chopped
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, for extra flavor)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Begin by cooking the pasta. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta (penne, fusilli, or macaroni) according to the package instructions until it is al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water for later use, and set aside.
2. While the pasta cooks, heat the vegetable or olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Season the beef with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the beef is browned and fully cooked through. Drain any excess fat and remove the beef from the skillet.
3. In the same skillet, add the chopped bacon (or lardons) and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, or until the bacon becomes crispy and browned. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside, leaving any rendered bacon fat in the pan for flavor.
4. In the same skillet, add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until the onion is soft and translucent, and the garlic is fragrant. This step helps build the base of flavor for the sauce.