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
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs (panko or regular)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-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.