Baked Bacon Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese – The Ultimate Comfort Food

When you take the bold flavors of a classic bacon cheeseburger and combine them with creamy baked mac and cheese, you get the ultimate comfort food casserole. This dish has it all: smoky bacon, juicy ground beef, tender pasta, and layers of melty cheddar cheese baked to golden perfection.

It’s the kind of recipe that makes family dinners unforgettable and potlucks exciting. Every bite is hearty, cheesy, and packed with flavor. Whether you serve it as a weeknight dinner or a party dish, this recipe will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Ingredients

• 12 oz elbow macaroni (uncooked)
• 1 lb ground beef
• 6 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled)
• 1 small onion (diced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
• 2 cups milk
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp mustard (yellow or Dijon)
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and black pepper (to taste)
• ½ cup breadcrumbs (for topping)
• 2 tbsp parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove and crumble.
4. In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic in bacon drippings until softened.
5. Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
6. Stir in 1 tbsp mustard and smoked paprika for flavor.
7. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to form a roux.
8. Slowly add milk, whisking until smooth and thickened.
9. Stir in 2 ½ cups cheddar cheese until melted into a creamy sauce.
10. Combine pasta, beef mixture, and cheese sauce in a large bowl. Mix well.
11. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
12. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup cheddar, bacon crumbles, and breadcrumbs on top.
13. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
14. Garnish with parsley before serving hot.

Tips for Success

✨ Use freshly shredded cheese for a smoother sauce (pre-shredded has anti-caking agents).
✨ Add pickles or diced tomatoes for a fun “cheeseburger” twist.
✨ Swap half the cheddar for mozzarella or Monterey Jack for a gooier pull.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Combines two comfort food classics in one dish.
• Easy to make ahead and reheat.
• Feeds a crowd with minimal fuss.

Baked Bacon Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese

Creamy baked mac and cheese loaded with ground beef, crispy bacon, and melted cheddar, bringing all the flavors of a bacon cheeseburger into one comforting casserole.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 480

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 12 oz elbow macaroni uncooked
• 1 lb ground beef
• 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
• 1 small onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 3 cups cheddar cheese shredded, divided
• 2 cups milk
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp mustard yellow or Dijon
• 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs for topping
• 2 tbsp parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Saucepan
• Whisk
• Baking dish

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove and crumble.
4. In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic in bacon drippings until softened.
5. Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
6. Stir in mustard and smoked paprika.
7. In a saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour to form a roux.
8. Slowly add milk, whisking until smooth and thickened.
9. Stir in 2 ½ cups cheddar cheese until melted into a sauce.
10. Combine pasta, beef mixture, and cheese sauce in a bowl. Mix well.
11. Transfer mixture to baking dish, spread evenly.
12. Top with remaining cheddar, bacon crumbles, and breadcrumbs.
13. Bake 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbly.
14. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

Notes

For a spicier kick, add jalapeños or hot sauce before baking.