Savory casserole with smoky bacon, BBQ sauce, cheeses, and tender pasta baked until bubbly and golden.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 10 oz ground beef
02 - 5 oz smoked bacon, diced
→ Pasta
03 - 14 oz short pasta (penne, rotini, or fusilli)
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 small onion, finely diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauces & Dairy
06 - 3/4 cup BBQ sauce
07 - 1/2 cup tomato sauce or passata
08 - 7 oz shredded cheddar cheese
09 - 3.5 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
→ Pantry & Seasoning
10 - 2 tbsp olive oil
11 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
12 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Toppings (optional)
14 - Sliced green onions
15 - Diced pickles
# How to Cook:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - Boil pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced bacon and cook until golden and crisp, about 4 minutes.
04 - Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
05 - Add ground beef to the skillet. Break up with a spoon and cook until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat if needed.
06 - Stir in BBQ sauce, tomato sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.
07 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly.
08 - Remove skillet from heat and mix in half of the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
09 - Transfer the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheeses evenly on top.
10 - Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden in spots.
11 - Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and diced pickles if desired. Serve warm.
