# Components:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz short pasta (penne, rotini, or macaroni)
→ Meats
02 - 8 oz thick-cut bacon, diced
03 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (or 1 cup canned diced tomatoes, drained)
07 - 1/4 cup dill pickles, chopped
→ Sauce
08 - 2 cups whole milk
09 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
10 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
11 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
12 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
13 - 1/2 cup ketchup
14 - 2 tbsp yellow mustard
15 - 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
16 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
17 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ Topping
18 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
19 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives or green onions (optional)
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook diced bacon until crispy. Remove with slotted spoon, reserving some for topping. Leave bacon fat in skillet.
04 - Add ground beef to skillet. Cook until browned, breaking apart with spoon, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Add chopped onion to beef; cook 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
06 - Add cherry tomatoes and cook 2 minutes. Mix in ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
07 - In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and cook, stirring, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.
08 - Remove sauce from heat and stir in shredded cheddar and mozzarella until melted and smooth.
09 - In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, meat mixture, chopped pickles, most of the bacon, and cheese sauce. Mix well.
10 - Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar cheese and reserved bacon. Bake for 20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
11 - Remove from oven, let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with chives or green onions if desired. Serve hot.
