BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Mac (Print Format)
Creamy mac and cheese meets smoky BBQ beef and crispy bacon in this hearty, comforting casserole.
# Ingredients:
→ Pasta
01 -
12 oz elbow macaroni
→ Cheese Sauce
02 -
2 tbsp unsalted butter
03 -
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
04 -
2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
05 -
1 cup heavy cream
06 -
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
07 -
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
08 -
½ tsp garlic powder
09 -
½ tsp onion powder
10 -
Salt and black pepper to taste
→ Cheeseburger Layer
11 -
1 lb ground beef (80/20 or lean)
12 -
½ cup diced onion
13 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
14 -
½ cup BBQ sauce
15 -
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
16 -
½ tsp smoked paprika
17 -
Salt and black pepper to taste
→ Toppings
18 -
6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
19 -
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
20 -
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
21 -
½ cup crushed Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs
22 -
2 tbsp melted butter
# Steps:
01 -
Boil elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
02 -
Melt unsalted butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in all-purpose flour and stir constantly for 1 minute. Gradually add milk and heavy cream, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens, about 3–4 minutes. Incorporate shredded cheddar, mozzarella, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
03 -
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef with diced onion until fully cooked. Drain excess grease. Add minced garlic, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook together for 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat.
04 -
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Combine cooked macaroni with half of the cheese sauce and spread evenly in the bottom of the dish. Layer with the cheeseburger mixture, then top with the remaining mac and cheese mixture.
05 -
Sprinkle crumbled bacon, extra cheddar, and mozzarella cheese over the casserole. In a small bowl, mix crushed crackers or panko with melted butter and evenly sprinkle on top. Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
06 -
Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions as desired.
# Tips:
01 -
To avoid grainy cheese sauce, maintain low heat and stir constantly while melting cheese.
02 -
Variations include swapping ground beef with turkey or pork and using different cheeses such as smoked gouda or pepper jack.
03 -
Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 4 days or frozen for 2 months; reheat by baking at 350°F for 15 minutes or microwaving individual portions.