Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta – Easy Dinner

Ingredients:
8 oz uncooked penne pasta or other desired dry pasta
1 lb lean ground beef
6 to 10 bacon strips, diced
1 can (10.75 oz) condensed tomato soup, undiluted
½ cup water
1 cup (4 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
warm bread, optional

Directions:
Cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, cook beef until no longer pink; drain grease and set aside.
In same skillet, cook bacon until crisp; drain from grease on paper towel.  Discard grease and drippings remaining in skillet.
Add cooked, drained pasta to skillet.  Stir in the soup, water, beef and bacon, salt & pepper to taste; heat through.  Sprinkle with cheese and allow to melt – serve immediately.
Optional – Put all ingredients in a casserole (or bake in heavy skillet you have been using) – bake at 400 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through and starting to get crisp on top.  Sprinkle with the cheese and allow it to melt.  Remove from the oven and serve.
Optional sides – fresh salad and warm bread
Serves 4
From prep to table (oven method) 1 hour
From prep to table (skillet method) 30 minutes