Easy Bacon Cheeseburger Macaroni
This bacon cheeseburger macaroni is a quick and easy skillet dinner with all the flavors of a classic cheeseburger. A blend of Cheez Whiz and sharp cheddar creates a smooth, cheesy sauce that clings to every bite of pasta, while crispy bacon and sautéed onions add irresistible savory flavor.
Ingredients
- 5 strips bacon
- 1 tbsp kosher salt for the pasta water
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni, about 2 cups uncooked
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 ½ cups Cheez Whiz
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup evaporated milk or half-and-half, or more as needed
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley or chives (optional), garnish
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Arrange 5 strips of bacon in a large skillet and place it over medium heat. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning to brown both sides. Turn the heat down to medium-low if it is browning too quickly. Remove the bacon to paper towels to drain. Crumble and set aside.5 strips bacon
- Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.1 tbsp kosher salt for the pasta water | 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- Meanwhile, remove all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings from the large skillet and place it over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook for about 4 minutes, undisturbed. Break up the beef and add the chopped onion to the skillet. Continue cooking until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is soft and translucent. Drain off and discard excess fat.1 pound ground beef | 1 cup chopped onion
- Stir the crumbled bacon, Cheez Whiz, cheddar cheese, and evaporated milk or half-and-half into the beef and onion mixture. Cook, stirring, until the cheddar and Cheez Whiz melt, forming a sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash more of evaporated milk or half-and-half.1 1/2 cups Cheez Whiz | 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese | 1 cup evaporated milk or half-and-half
- Add the drained macaroni to the skillet and toss until evenly coated in the cheesy sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives, if desired, and serve hot.Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper | Fresh chopped parsley or chives (optional)
Nutrition
Calories: 860kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 41gFat: 55gSaturated Fat: 26gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 166mgSodium: 1545mgPotassium: 721mgFiber: 2gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 814IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 573mgIron: 3mg
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
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