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Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole

All the iconic flavors of a bacon cheeseburger transformed into an easy, family-friendly casserole with pasta, a savory sauce, and loads of cheese.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

Casserole Base
  • 1 pound rotini or penne pasta
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 15 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
Toppings & Assembly
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 cup dill pickles chopped
  • 1 large tomato diced
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Large pot
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and return to pot.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Cook onion until soft, 4-5 mins. Add garlic and cook 1 min until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up. Drain excess grease.
  5. Sprinkle flour over beef and stir for 1 minute. Gradually add beef broth, then stir in crushed tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire, and paprika. Simmer for 3-5 mins until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Pour the meat sauce over the drained pasta and stir to combine.
  7. Spread half the pasta mixture in the prepared dish. Top with half the bacon and 1 cup cheddar cheese.
  8. Spread remaining pasta mixture over top. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheddar, Monterey Jack, and the rest of the bacon.
  9. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  10. Let rest for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with parsley, diced tomato, and chopped pickles before serving.

Notes

Letting the casserole rest before serving is key for clean slices. For a crispier top, broil for the last 1-2 minutes of baking, watching carefully.