Description
Comfort classic bacon cheeseburger rigatoni melds hearty pasta with classic burger flavors. Creamy sauce, crispy bacon, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 3 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 8 oz (227 g) rigatoni
- 1 cup shredded sharp or smoked cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups tomato sauce
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- ½ cup diced onion
- ½ cup chopped pickles
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tomato, diced (seeds removed)
- Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Gently caramelize onions and garlic in olive oil over medium-low heat, seasoning with salt and pepper until translucent and fragrant.
- Brown Protein: Increase heat to medium and cook ground beef, breaking it down thoroughly until completely browned with no pink remaining, then drain excess grease.
- Pasta Preparation: Cook rigatoni in boiling salted water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain completely and set aside.
- Flavor Fusion: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked beef with marinara sauce, barbecue sauce, red wine vinegar, chopped pickles, diced tomatoes, cooked rigatoni, and most of the shredded cheese, mixing until ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Baking Setup: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, then transfer mixed ingredients, creating an even layer and topping with remaining cheese, additional pickles, and tomatoes.
- Final Bake and Garnish: Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts completely and edges become bubbly, then remove from oven and immediately sprinkle crispy crumbled bacon pieces over the top, serving hot directly from the baking dish.
Notes
- Drain Beef Thoroughly: Remove excess grease completely to prevent a greasy, heavy texture and ensure a lighter, cleaner dish.
- Perfect Pasta Texture: Cook rigatoni precisely 8-10 minutes to achieve al dente consistency – not too soft, not too firm.
- Cheese Distribution Strategy: Sprinkle cheese in layers for even melting and maximum flavor coverage throughout the dish.
- Bacon Finale: Add crispy bacon crumbles just before serving to maintain maximum crunch and preserve their distinct smoky flavor.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking, Sautéing, Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg