Description
Succulent Cheesy Beef and Turkey Bacon Pasta delivers a mouthwatering blend of savory proteins and creamy cheese. Comfort meets culinary creativity in this irresistible dish that brings warmth and satisfaction to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 0.5 lb ground turkey
- 0.25 lb bacon
Pasta and Dairy:
- 16 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
Seasonings and Extras:
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 medium onion
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp dried Italian herbs
- 0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a large baking dish by lightly greasing it with olive oil.
- Crisp the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until golden and rendered, then remove and chop into small pieces.
- In the same skillet with bacon drippings, sauté diced onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant.
- Add ground beef and ground turkey to the skillet, breaking meat into small crumbles and cooking until completely browned and no pink remains.
- Drain excess fat from the meat mixture, then season with salt, black pepper, and dried Italian herbs, stirring to distribute evenly.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain thoroughly.
- Combine cooked pasta with the meat mixture in the baking dish, gently folding to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Pour heavy cream over the pasta and meat, then sprinkle shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses across the top.
- Scatter chopped bacon pieces over the cheese layer for added texture and flavor.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is completely melted and slightly golden around the edges.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving hot.
Notes
- Select lean ground beef and turkey to reduce overall fat content while maintaining rich flavor profile.
- Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or low-fat milk for a lighter, healthier version without compromising creamy texture.
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to accommodate different dietary preferences and increase nutritional value.
- Enhance protein content by adding extra vegetables like spinach or bell peppers during the meat sautéing stage for additional nutrients and color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 655
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg