Description
Indulge in the creamy, cheesy goodness of Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Mac & Cheese Bake, where each bite is a delightful explosion of flavors. The rich, velvety cheese sauce envelops perfectly cooked macaroni, while crispy bacon and savory ground beef add a satisfying crunch and depth to this comforting dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- Pasta: 1 lb elbow macaroni
- Meat: 1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained
- Bacon: 6 slices, cooked and crumbled
- Cheese Sauce:
- 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Toppings:
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until golden.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, then stir in the cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, ground beef, crumbled bacon, and cheese sauce. Mix well.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the mozzarella cheese and sprinkle evenly over the mac and cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions.
Notes
- This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey for beef and use low-fat cheese.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: main-dish
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4 grams
- Sodium: 900 milligrams
- Fat: 35 grams
- Saturated Fat: 15 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 60 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 30 grams
- Cholesterol: 90 milligrams
Keywords: Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Mac & Cheese Bake, mac and cheese, comfort food, cheesy pasta, bacon, ground beef, baked pasta, American cuisine, family dinner, easy recipes, creamy cheese sauce, hearty meals