Loaded Turkey Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet

Ingredients

- 1 lb ground Turkey

- 6 slices turkey bacon (substitute for pork bacon)

- 8 oz dry pasta (rotini or penne — about 2 cups cooked)

- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

- 2 tbsp butter

- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

- 1 1/2 cups milk (or a splash more if you like it saucier)

- 1/2 cup chicken broth

- 2 tbsp ketchup

- 1 tbsp yellow mustard

- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

- Salt and black pepper to taste

- 1/4 cup diced dill pickles (optional, for that classic cheeseburger tang)

- 2 tbsp chopped chives or parsley for garnish

Directions

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook turkey bacon until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and chop into bite-sized pieces.

3. In the same skillet, add the ground beef (use the bacon fat left behind for flavor, or drain a little if there’s a lot). Brown the beef, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink and you hear that happy sizzle. Season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. (Don’t you dare wash that skillet!)

4. Push the beef to one side of the skillet, add butter to the empty space, then sauté the onion until soft and translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

5. Sprinkle the flour over the butter/onion mix and stir for about a minute to cook the raw flour taste away.

6. Slowly whisk in the milk and chicken broth until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken into a cream sauce.

7. Stir in ketchup and mustard for that true cheeseburger flavor, then add the shredded cheddar cheese a handful at a time until melted and silky.

8. Fold the cooked pasta and chopped turkey bacon into the skillet so everything is coated in that cheesy sauce. If it seems too thick, add a splash more milk or a tablespoon of chicken broth.

9. Taste and adjust seasoning. Stir in diced pickles if using, then sprinkle chopped chives on top. Serve hot, with that glorious cheese pull and the comforting aroma filling the kitchen. (If you want a little crisp, pop the skillet under the broiler for 2 minutes — watch it closely.)

Prep Time | Cooking Time | Total Time: 10 min | 20 min | 30 min

Kcal | Servings: ~720 kcal | 4 servings