This Baked Bacon Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food mashup! It combines the creamy, cheesy goodness of mac and cheese with the savory flavors of a bacon cheeseburger, all baked to golden-brown perfection. I love how this recipe is a fun and delicious twist on two classic dishes. It's perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any time you're craving a hearty and satisfying meal. Get ready for a dish that's sure to become a new favorite!
Why You'll Love This Bacon Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese
- Two Classics in One: Combines the best of mac and cheese and bacon cheeseburgers in a single dish.
- Creamy and Cheesy: The combination of cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan creates an unbelievably rich and cheesy sauce.
- Savory and Satisfying: Packed with ground beef, bacon, and perfectly cooked macaroni, this casserole is a hearty and satisfying meal.
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This mac and cheese is always a hit with kids and adults alike.
Ingredients for Bacon Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese
Here's what you'll need to make this epic mac and cheese. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Elbow macaroni (Pasta)
- Ground beef (Meat)
- Bacon, cooked and crumbled (Meat)
- Onion, finely chopped (Vegetable)
- Garlic, minced (Aromatic)
Cheese Sauce
- Milk (Dairy)
- Shredded cheddar cheese (Dairy)
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (Dairy)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (Dairy)
- All-purpose flour (Thickener)
- Butter (Fat)
Seasoning and Topping
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Black pepper (Spice)
- Paprika (Spice)
- Bread crumbs (Topping)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this Baked Bacon Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Different Cheese: Use a blend of cheeses, such as Gruyere, Swiss, or Monterey Jack.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in some diced tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, or spinach.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce.
- Different Meat: Use ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
- Add Pickles: Top with dill pickles
How to Make Baked Bacon Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese
Let me show you how to make this incredibly delicious Baked Bacon Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese:
Preheat Oven
- I preheat my oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook Macaroni
- I cook the macaroni according to the package directions, then drain it and set it aside.
Cook Ground Beef
- In a large skillet, I cook the ground beef over medium heat until it's browned. I drain off any excess fat.
Sauté Onion and Garlic
- I add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
Add Bacon
- I stir in the cooked and crumbled bacon.
- Then I remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside.
Make the Cheese Sauce
- In a medium saucepan, I melt the butter over medium heat.
- I whisk in the flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes, or until it begins to turn golden. This creates a roux, which will thicken the sauce.
- I gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth.
- I continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to thicken.
- I reduce the heat to low and slowly add in the cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, stirring until they're fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- I season the cheese sauce with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Combine Ingredients
- In a large bowl, I combine the cooked macaroni, the ground beef mixture, and the cheese sauce. I stir everything until it's well combined.
Assemble and Bake
- I transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
- I sprinkle the bread crumbs evenly over the top.
- I bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
Cool and Serve
- I let the mac and cheese cool for a few minutes before serving.
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Mac and Cheese
Here are my secrets for making this mac and cheese truly exceptional:
- Use Freshly Grated Cheese: Freshly grated cheese melts better and has a more intense flavor than pre-shredded cheese.
- Don't Overcook the Pasta: Cook the macaroni just until it's al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven.
- Make a Roux: Making a roux (cooking the flour with butter) before adding the milk ensures a smooth and creamy cheese sauce.
- Season Generously: Don't be afraid to season the cheese sauce well with salt, pepper, and paprika.
How to Serve
This Baked Bacon Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese is a complete meal on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions:
- Side Salad: A simple green salad or a Caesar salad would complement the richness of the mac and cheese.
- Steamed Vegetables: Add some steamed broccoli or green beans for extra nutrients.
- Garlic Bread: Serve with a side of warm, crusty garlic bread.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can assemble the mac and cheese (without the breadcrumb topping) ahead of time and store it, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Add the breadcrumbs and bake just before serving. Leftover mac and cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.
FAQs about Baked Bacon Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese
- Can I use a different type of pasta?
- Yes, you can use any type of short pasta, such as shells, rotini, or cavatappi.
- Can I make this without the bacon?
- Yes, you can omit the bacon or substitute it with cooked and crumbled sausage.
- Can I freeze this mac and cheese?
- Yes, you can freeze this.
Enjoy this incredibly delicious and comforting Baked Bacon Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese! It's a fun and flavorful twist on two classic dishes that's sure to become a new family favorite.
Print
Baked Bacon Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Baked Bacon Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese combines the comforting flavors of a classic cheeseburger with creamy, cheesy macaroni. Ground beef, bacon, and a blend of cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses make this a hearty and satisfying dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound elbow macaroni, cooked according to package directions
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 recommended)
- 6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup milk (whole milk recommended)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ cup bread crumbs (panko or regular)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Cook Macaroni: Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon or spatula, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant (about 3-5 minutes).
- Add Bacon: Stir in the cooked and crumbled bacon. Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Make Roux: Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture is smooth and begins to turn a light golden color. This creates a roux, which will thicken the sauce.
- Add Milk: Gradually whisk in the milk, pouring it in slowly and whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to thicken (about 3-5 minutes).
- Add Cheeses: Reduce the heat to low. Gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese to the saucepan, stirring constantly until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Season Sauce: Season the cheese sauce with salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir well.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, the ground beef mixture (with bacon, onion, and garlic), and the cheese sauce. Stir gently until everything is well combined and evenly coated.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the mac and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
- Add Bread Crumb Topping: Sprinkle the bread crumbs evenly over the top of the mac and cheese.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly, and the mac and cheese is heated through.
- Cool and Serve: Let the baked mac and cheese cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Ground Beef: Use 80% lean / 20% fat ground beef for the best flavor and moisture. You can use leaner ground beef, but the dish may be slightly drier.
- Bacon: Cook the bacon until crispy for the best texture.
- Cheese: Feel free to use other types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, Colby, or pepper jack. Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded.
- Milk: Whole milk is recommended for the richest flavor, but you can use 2% or even skim milk.
- Bread Crumbs: Panko bread crumbs will create a crispier topping, but regular bread crumbs can also be used.
- Make-Ahead: You can assemble the mac and cheese (without the bread crumb topping) ahead of time and store it, covered, in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Add the bread crumbs just before baking. You may need to add a few minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
- Serving Suggestions: This mac and cheese is a hearty meal on its own, but you can serve it with a side salad or steamed vegetables.
