Description
Comfort cuisine reaches new heights with bbq bacon cheeseburger mac n cheese casserole, blending classic American favorites into one irresistible dish. Crispy bacon, melted cheese, and smoky bbq sauce create a mouthwatering experience you won’t soon forget.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or lean)
- 6 slices cooked bacon (crumbled)
Cheeses:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Pasta and Sauce Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) elbow macaroni
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Topping:
- ½ cup crushed Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
Instructions
- Cook macaroni in salted water until perfectly tender, ensuring a slight firmness. Drain thoroughly and set aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Create a velvety cheese foundation by melting butter in a saucepan over moderate heat. Gradually incorporate flour, whisking constantly to develop a smooth roux.
- Slowly introduce milk and heavy cream, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Blend in cheddar, mozzarella, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until the sauce reaches a luxurious, silky consistency.
- In a separate skillet, brown ground beef with diced onions, breaking the meat into small crumbles. Eliminate excess fat through careful draining.
- Enhance the beef mixture with minced garlic, tangy BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Allow flavors to meld for 2-3 minutes over gentle heat.
- Preheat the oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray.
- Integrate the cheese sauce with the cooked pasta, creating a creamy base. Spread half of this mixture across the bottom of the baking dish.
- Layer the seasoned beef mixture evenly over the mac and cheese, then cover with the remaining pasta and cheese blend.
- Scatter crumbled bacon across the top, followed by an additional sprinkle of cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
- Combine crushed crackers or panko with melted butter, then distribute evenly over the casserole for a crispy golden topping.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the surface turns golden brown and the edges bubble with cheesy goodness.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to settle. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or pickles for an authentic cheeseburger-inspired finish.
Notes
- Customize the pasta texture by cooking it just shy of package instructions to prevent mushiness during baking.
- Select high-quality sharp cheddar and mozzarella for maximum flavor depth and creamy consistency.
- Balance fat content by using lean ground beef or mixing with ground turkey for a lighter version.
- Experiment with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or cornstarch for the roux and gluten-free pasta to make the dish celiac-friendly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 655
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg