Bacon Cheeseburger Macaroni with Melted Cheddar
Comforting macaroni tossed with crispy bacon, juicy ground beef, and a rich melted cheddar cheese sauce — a favorite for picky eaters. This american-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs chopped bacon strips, ground beef, small, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6, chopped bacon strips
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small, diced yellow onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot over medium heat, cook 6 chopped bacon strips until crispy, about 5-6 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove bacon and set aside, leaving bacon fat in the pot.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef to the pot and cook, breaking up with a spoon, for 6-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 small diced yellow onion and 2 minced garlic cloves; cook for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Sprinkle 2 tbsp all-purpose flour over the meat mixture and stir well to coat. Cook for 1 minute to remove raw flour taste.
- Step 5: Gradually pour in 3 cups beef broth and 1 cup whole milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a simmer and let thicken for 3-4 minutes.
- Step 6: Add 12 oz elbow macaroni, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
- Step 7: Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1 tbsp yellow mustard, and the reserved crispy bacon until cheese melts and sauce is creamy. Serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bacon Cheeseburger Macaroni with Melted Cheddar take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Bacon Cheeseburger Macaroni with Melted Cheddar?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chopped bacon strips from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bacon Cheeseburger Macaroni with Melted Cheddar?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Bacon Cheeseburger Macaroni with Melted Cheddar for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Bacon Cheeseburger Macaroni with Melted Cheddar?
American pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
