Bacon Cheeseburger Macaroni with Melted Cheddar

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-13 · Updated 2026-06-13

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 recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs bacon strips, ground beef, 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

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 small diced yellow onion and 2 minced garlic cloves; cook for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.