Description
A hearty, cheesy comfort food casserole that combines classic mac and cheese with BBQ ground beef, crispy bacon, and gooey cheddar-mozzarella topping. A crowd-pleasing twist on cheeseburger flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Base:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 tablespoon salt (for boiling water)
For the Beef Layer:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 6 slices crispy cooked bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced (optional)
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon mustard or Worcestershire sauce (optional)
For the Cheese Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1½ cups milk
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Garnish:
- Sliced pickles
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Slowly pour in milk while whisking until smooth. Stir in half of the cheddar and mozzarella until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
- Prepare the Beef Mixture: In a skillet, cook ground beef and diced onion (if using) until browned. Drain excess fat. Stir in BBQ sauce and mustard or Worcestershire sauce.
- Assemble the Bake: In a greased baking dish, mix cooked pasta with cheese sauce. Add BBQ beef and bacon. Mix gently. Sprinkle remaining cheddar and mozzarella on top.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
- Serve: Let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions or pickles if desired.
Notes
Try swapping BBQ sauce with sriracha mayo or chipotle ketchup for a spicy twist. You can prepare the casserole ahead of time and bake before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish / Casserole
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg