Description
A juicy, indulgent burger stuffed with a rich mac and cheese filling and crispy bacon, offering a perfect fusion of comfort foods that cooks in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb Ground Beef (80/20 blend)
- 1 cup Elbow Macaroni
- 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
- 1/2 cup Heavy Cream or Whole Milk
- 4 strips Thick-cut Bacon
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 4 Burger Buns (Brioche or potato)
- Butter (for cheese sauce)
- Flour (for cheese sauce roux)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook al dente, draining one minute early. (10 minutes)
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour, then slowly add heavy cream. Stir until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. (10 minutes)
- Toss cooked pasta into the cheese sauce. Let sit for a few minutes to cool slightly until thick and gooey. (5 minutes)
- Cook bacon strips in a skillet until crispy. Drain on paper towels and crumble into small pieces once cooled. (8 minutes)
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with hands; do not overwork. (3 minutes)
- Divide beef into four equal portions and flatten into discs. Place a generous scoop of mac and cheese mixture in the center, topped with crumbled bacon. Fold beef edges over filling, sealing tight to form thick patties. Ensure no cracks remain. (10 minutes)
- Heat a cast-iron skillet or grill to medium-high heat with oil. Cook burgers for 4-5 minutes on the first side until a deep brown crust forms. Flip and cook another 4-5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F. (10 minutes)
- Toast burger buns on the grill or in the pan. (2 minutes)
- Assemble burgers on buns with desired toppings and serve immediately.
Notes
Chill formed patties in the fridge for 15 minutes before cooking to help the cheese set and prevent leaking. Do not press down on the burgers while cooking to retain juices. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and buns. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days and reheated in an oven or air fryer at 350°F.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger with bun
- Calories: 850
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 1200
- Fat: 55
- Saturated Fat: 22
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 40
Keywords: burger, mac and cheese, bacon, stuffed burger, comfort food, grilling, quick dinner, beef recipe, cheesy burger