We were rushing in from my daughter’s school play on a chilly Thursday night when the wind caught the screen door and slammed it open behind us. Everyone was starving, and I could feel that weeknight weariness creeping in.
I didn’t have time for anything fancy, but I still wanted something hearty enough to make us all feel grounded again warm, full, and settled. That’s when I reached for a few staples I always keep on hand: ground beef, pasta, shredded cheese, and bacon left over from Sunday breakfast.
I started throwing things together like I’d done it a hundred times before—sautéed onion, beef, spices, a squeeze of ketchup and mustard, then mixed in cooked pasta and folded in the crispy bacon. The smell alone had the kids drifting into the kitchen before I even slid it into the oven.
By the time it came out, all golden and bubbling, the whole place felt like it had exhaled. The layers of flavor, the smoky bacon, the gooey cheese, that tang of mustard, tasted like the best parts of a cheeseburger, wrapped in a cozy casserole dish. Nothing fancy, nothing complicated, just a full plate, a happy table, and a little relief from the chaos of the week.
Short Description
A cheesy, comforting pasta bake loaded with ground beef, crispy bacon, creamy sauce, and gooey cheddar—this Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Bake brings your favorite diner burger flavors straight to the dinner table.
Key Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 packet bacon, diced
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 12 ounces penne pasta
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 1 tablespoon Montreal steak seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon dill relish
Sauce Base:
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
Cheese:
-
2 cups mild cheddar cheese, shredded
Tools Needed
- Large skillet
- Medium pot
- 9×13 baking dish
- Mixing spoon or spatula
- Knife and cutting board
- Colander
- Cheese grater (if using a block of cheddar)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Boil a large pot of water, salt it well, and cook penne pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Bacon
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook diced bacon until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Step 3: Brown the Beef and Onion
Using the same skillet with leftover bacon grease, sauté diced onion for 1–2 minutes. Add ground beef and cook until no pink remains. Drain the excess fat.
Step 4: Season the Meat
Sprinkle in Montreal steak seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir well to coat the beef evenly.
Step 5: Make the Sauce
Add Worcestershire sauce, dill relish, tomato sauce, and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir and simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
Step 6: Add Cheese and Bacon
Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar and half the crispy bacon. Mix until the cheese melts into the sauce.
Step 7: Combine with Pasta
Fold in the cooked pasta, making sure everything is evenly coated with the cheesy sauce.
Step 8: Bake the Dish
Transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and bacon over the top.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5–10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
Step 9: Serve
Let it sit for 5 minutes before scooping. Serve warm.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Big Burger Flavor: All the best parts of a bacon cheeseburger, baked into pasta form.
Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters can’t resist it—cheesy, meaty, and just the right amount of creamy.
Weeknight Hero: One skillet, one pot, and one baking dish. That’s all it takes.
Customizable: Add pickles, swap cheeses, sneak in some veggies—make it your own.
Comfort Food Classic: It’s the kind of hearty, satisfying dish that fills bellies and makes people smile.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Using too much grease:
Drain your beef after browning or it’ll make the dish oily.
Solution: Tilt the pan and spoon off the extra fat, or use a colander to drain.
Overcooking the pasta:
Soft pasta turns mushy after baking.
Solution: Cook it just to al dente—it’ll finish in the oven.
Forgetting to taste before baking:
Seasoning gets diluted once you add cream and pasta.
Solution: Always taste your sauce before combining with pasta and adjust salt as needed.
Skimping on cheese:
This bake is meant to be rich and indulgent.
Solution: Don’t shy away from the full 2 cups—cheese is the glue here.
Uneven baking:
Cold ingredients can cause uneven melt.
Solution: Let the skillet mixture warm up slightly before topping with cheese and baking.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve it family-style straight from the baking dish with a big spoon.
Add a crisp side salad with pickled onions and vinaigrette for contrast.
Garlic bread or dinner rolls are perfect for scooping up any extra sauce.
Pair it with a cold soda, a crisp lager, or a glass of iced tea.
For kids, serve with carrot sticks or apple slices for a fresh side.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days.
Freezer: Portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat (Oven): Cover with foil and bake at 325°F for 15–20 minutes until hot.
Reheat (Microwave): Heat single servings on medium for 2–3 minutes, stirring halfway.
Prevent Drying Out: Add a splash of cream or water before reheating to bring back moisture.
FAQs
1. Can I use another type of pasta?
Yes! Elbow macaroni, rotini, or shells work just as well—just aim for shapes that hold sauce well.
2. What’s a good cheese alternative?
Colby Jack, mozzarella, or pepper jack can be great swaps depending on your flavor preference.
3. Can I make it ahead of time?
Absolutely. Assemble everything, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bake when ready to serve.
4. Is dill relish necessary?
It adds that cheeseburger tang, but you can use chopped pickles or leave it out if preferred.
5. Can I sneak in vegetables?
Yes! Diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or even spinach work well in the meat mixture.
Tips & Tricks
Grate cheese fresh for better melt and texture—pre-shredded often contains anti-caking agents.
If your bacon isn’t super crispy, finish it off in the oven on a baking sheet for 5 minutes.
For extra crunch, sprinkle crushed potato chips or fried onions on top before serving.
Add a pinch of smoked paprika or chili flakes for a bolder kick.
Let the pasta sit for 5–10 minutes before serving—this helps the sauce thicken up nicely.
Recipe Variations
1. Spicy Southwest Style:
Swap in pepper jack cheese, add 1 diced jalapeño and 1 tsp taco seasoning to the beef. Use a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack for topping.
2. Veggie-Loaded Version:
Sauté diced bell peppers, mushrooms, and spinach with the onion before adding the beef. Use reduced-fat cream and cheese for a lighter twist.
3. Chicken Ranch Pasta Bake:
Sub ground beef for ground chicken. Skip tomato sauce and add ¼ cup ranch dressing instead. Top with mozzarella and cheddar.
4. Low-Carb Option:
Replace pasta with roasted cauliflower florets. Follow the same recipe steps, adjusting baking time to 10–12 minutes to avoid over-softening.
5. BBQ Cheeseburger Twist:
Use BBQ sauce instead of tomato sauce, and sharp cheddar. Top with pickled red onions before serving.
Final Thoughts
That night, we didn’t talk much about the play or the homework waiting upstairs. We just passed plates, asked for seconds, and scraped the dish clean. I’ve made fancier meals, but not many that disappeared this fast. And honestly? That’s the kind of win I’ll take any night.

Comforting Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Bake
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 packet bacon diced
- ½ yellow onion diced
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- Seasonings and Sauces:
- 1 tablespoon Montreal steak seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon dill relish
Sauce Base:
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
Cheese:
- 2 cups mild cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Boil salted water and cook penne until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook diced bacon until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- In the same skillet with bacon grease, sauté onion for 1–2 minutes. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add steak seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir to coat the beef.
- Stir in Worcestershire sauce, dill relish, tomato sauce, and cream. Simmer for 3–4 minutes.
- Mix in 1 cup cheddar and half the bacon. Stir until melted.
- Fold in the cooked pasta and coat with sauce.
- Transfer to a greased 9x13 dish. Top with remaining cheese and bacon. Bake at 350°F for 5–10 minutes until bubbly.
- Let sit for 5 minutes before serving warm.