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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 and making sauce
  • 1 Colander For draining pasta
  • 1 Stirring Spoon or Spatula Heat-resistant for cooking and mixing

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

For a more elevated Bacon Cheeseburger Mac, I strongly recommend using fresh aromatics; sauté diced yellow onion and minced garlic with the ground beef until fragrant. This will provide a deeper, more nuanced flavor than powders. To enhance the cheese sauce, consider grating a block of sharp Cheddar and, perhaps, incorporating a touch of Monterey Jack for superior melt and creaminess. Crucially, cook and crumble fresh bacon; the texture and flavor are incomparable to pre-made bits. Finally, taste and adjust seasoning throughout, especially considering the inherent saltiness of bacon and cheese. A final garnish of fresh chopped chives or parsley would add a vibrant touch and cut through the richness.