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Bacon Cheeseburger Mac

All the flavor of a bacon cheeseburger in a macaroni dish.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people
Calories 4031 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot For cooking macaroni
  • 1 Large Skillet For browning ground beef
  • 1 Colander For draining pasta
  • 1 Wooden Spoon or Heat-Resistant Spatula For stirring and breaking up ground beef

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup bacon bits

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in boiling water until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes; drain and return pasta to the pot.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Season browned beef with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper; add ketchup and stir. Bring mixture to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until the liquid thickens slightly, 5 to 10 minutes; pour over the pasta in the pot and stir.
  • Stir Cheddar cheese into the pasta mixture until melted; add bacon bits and stir.

Notes

To elevate this dish, focus on proper browning of the ground beef; a deep Maillard reaction adds significant savory depth. For an authentic cheeseburger essence, consider adding a dash of Worcestershire sauce or a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the beef mixture with the ketchup. Always cook your macaroni al dente, as it will continue to absorb liquid and soften in the sauce, preventing a mushy texture. Using freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese will provide a superior melt and flavor compared to pre-shredded options. For optimal bacon flavor and texture, use freshly cooked and crumbled bacon instead of pre-packaged bits. Taste and adjust seasoning (salt, pepper) before serving, as ketchup and bacon can vary in saltiness.