Lewis County Recipes: Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

Here's one for the busy moms now that school is back in session.

Kids love cheeseburgers and pasta, so they will love this dish.

This recipe can be made simply like the kids enjoy their food, or a spicer variation like the adults like it. (Both variations below.)

Either way, it's a crowd pleaser for everyone. Enjoy!

Ingredients

8 ounces uncooked penne pasta

1 pound ground beef

6 bacon strips, diced

1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed tomato soup, undiluted

1/2 cup water

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Barbecue sauce and prepared mustard, optional

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and set aside.

In the same skillet, cook bacon until crisp; remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Discard drippings. Drain pasta; add to the skillet. Stir in the soup, water, beef and bacon; heat through.

Remove from the heat and sprinkle with cheese. Cover and let stand for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve with barbecue sauce and mustard if desired.

Variation:

This base recipe is great as it is, and very palatable to smaller children. But here are a few changes that make this recipe more full-flavored for the adults:

Add 1/2 chopped sweet onion, and a clove of chopped garlic to the beef, and sauté.

Remove beef, and deglaze the pan with a little beef broth.

While whisking, slowly add in 2 tbsp flour to thicken the roux.

To roux, add one small can of diced tomatoes, 1/3 cup of ketchup, and the tomato soup; stir.

(If you like the heat, add hot sauce now.)

Continue with assembly from original recipe.

I like the crumbled bacon better on top of the melted cheese.

This pasta pairs great with sliced avocado, fresh tomatoes, and a green salad.

Recipe adapted from Melissa Stevens' recipe.