Description
Hearty bbq bacon cheeseburger mac n cheese casserole combines comfort classics with smoky barbecue flair. Rich pasta layers meld perfectly with crispy bacon and melted cheese, promising a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef (80/20 or lean)
- 6 slices bacon (cooked, crumbled)
- 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- ½ cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 12 oz (340 g) elbow macaroni
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup bbq sauce
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- ½ cup onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- ½ cup Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs (crushed)
- 2 tbsps butter (melted)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Cook macaroni in salted water until tender with a slight bite, then drain and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Cheese Sauce Creation: Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour to form a smooth roux. Gradually pour milk and cream, stirring until the mixture thickens. Incorporate cheddar, mozzarella, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until achieving a silky, luxurious sauce.
- Beef Flavor Development: Brown ground beef with onions in a skillet, breaking meat into fine crumbles and draining excess fat. Infuse with minced garlic, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Simmer briefly to meld flavors.
- Casserole Assembly: Preheat oven to 375F (190C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Fold cheese sauce into cooked pasta, creating a creamy base. Layer half the mac and cheese mixture, top with seasoned beef, then cover with remaining pasta and cheese blend.
- Topping and Baking: Distribute crumbled bacon across the surface, sprinkle additional cheddar and mozzarella. Mix crushed crackers or panko with melted butter and scatter over the casserole. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.
- Finishing Touch: Rest the casserole for 5 minutes to allow flavors to settle. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or pickles for a cheeseburger-inspired presentation.
Notes
- Perfect Pasta Texture: Cook macaroni just shy of package instructions to maintain a slight al dente bite, preventing mushy texture during baking.
- Control Cheese Sauce Consistency: Whisk roux continuously and add dairy slowly to prevent lumps, ensuring a smooth, velvety sauce that coats pasta evenly.
- Drain Meat Thoroughly: Remove excess fat from ground beef to prevent a greasy casserole and maintain the dish’s rich, concentrated flavor profile.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free options, use lean ground turkey instead of beef, and replace dairy cheese with plant-based alternatives for adaptable, inclusive meal preparation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg