



Hearty, cheesy, and loaded with beef and bacon – the ultimate comfort pasta bake!
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients:
* 12 oz penne or elbow pasta
* 1 lb ground beef
* 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
* 1 small yellow onion, diced
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 cup ketchup
* 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
* 1/2 cup sour cream
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions:
1. Cook the pasta:
Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Brown the beef:
In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and cook the onion until soft, about 3 minutes. Add ground beef and garlic; cook until browned. Drain any excess grease.
3. Add flavor:
Stir in ketchup, mustard, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat.
4. Mix the sauce:
Add sour cream to the meat mixture and stir until creamy. Fold in the cooked pasta and 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar.
5. Assemble the bake:
Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon.
6. Bake:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
7. Serve:
Let cool slightly, then scoop into bowls and enjoy.
Pro Tip:
Swap ketchup and mustard for a spoonful of BBQ sauce or Thousand Island dressing for a fun twist on the cheeseburger flavor.