Description
A comforting, cheesy, meaty casserole that brings all the bold flavors of a BBQ bacon cheeseburger into one irresistible dish. Perfect for weeknight dinners or game-day feasts, this easy-to-make casserole is loaded with seasoned beef, smoky BBQ sauce, crispy bacon, and gooey cheddar—all baked to bubbly perfection!
Ingredients
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For the Mac ‘n’ Cheese:
- 12 oz elbow macaroni (or pasta of choice)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt & black pepper to taste
For the Cheeseburger Layer:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or lean)
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Toppings:
- 6 slices cooked bacon (crumbled)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs (for crunch)
- 2 tbsp butter (melted)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Cheese Sauce
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Slowly whisk in milk and heavy cream, cooking until slightly thickened (3-4 minutes).
- Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until melted and smooth.
Step 3: Cook the Cheeseburger Mixture
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onions over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Add garlic, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Mix cooked pasta with the cheese sauce and spread half into the baking dish.
- Layer with the cheeseburger mixture and then top with the remaining mac and cheese.
Step 5: Add Toppings & Bake
- Sprinkle crumbled bacon, extra cheddar & mozzarella cheese over the top.
- In a small bowl, mix crushed crackers/panko with melted butter and sprinkle on top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy!
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or pickles for extra cheeseburger flavor!
Notes
Meat Options: Swap ground beef for ground turkey or ground pork.
Cheese Varieties: Use smoked gouda, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for extra flavor.
BBQ Sauce Choice: Use a honey BBQ or smoky BBQ for a great taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Casserole
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: ~85mg