Spicy Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Bake
This Spicy Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Bake takes comfort food to the next level by combining the creamy goodness of macaroni and cheese with the savory flavors of a classic cheeseburger. Our kids adore mac and cheese, but this recipe is designed to please adults too, featuring layers of smoky bacon, tender ground beef, and zesty jalapenos for a delightful kick. Perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings, this dish can be easily adjusted to suit your heat preference. Use pepper jack cheese for an extra kick, or load on the crispy bacon for that smoky flavor that elevates every bite. Gather the family around the table and enjoy this hearty, cheesy pasta that’s sure to become a household favorite!
6-8 servings
Servings
525
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bacon
6 slices (finely diced, rendered fat reserved)
Ground Beef
1 lb
Butter
4 tablespoons
Onion
1 (diced)
Garlic Cloves
2 (minced)
Smoked Paprika
2 tablespoons
Jalapenos
2 (ribs and seeds removed, minced)
Flour
1/2 cup
Milk
4 cups (warmed)
Sharp Cheddar Cheese
5 cups (grated, roughly 18 ounces)
Panko Breadcrumbs
1 cup
Dried Parsley
2 tablespoons
Macaroni
1 lb (cooked until al dente)
Salt
(to taste)
Pepper
(to taste)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, cook the diced bacon until crispy, allowing it to render its fat. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked bacon onto a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat.
3
Add the ground beef to the skillet with the reserved bacon drippings, cooking until browned and no longer pink. Transfer the beef to a colander to drain excess fat.
4
In the same skillet, add 4 tablespoons of bacon grease and 4 tablespoons of butter. Cook the diced onion until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
5
Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, and jalapenos. Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture, stirring to coat everything thoroughly. Reduce heat to low.
6
Slowly pour in the warmed milk, whisking continuously until fully incorporated. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
7
Once simmering, turn off the heat and add 4 cups of cheese a handful at a time, ensuring each handful is completely melted before adding the next. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8
Fold in the cooked macaroni and mix until well combined. Pour the cheesy mixture into a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
9
In a separate bowl, prepare the topping by combining panko breadcrumbs, reserved bacon, dried parsley, melted butter, salt, and pepper. Mix until evenly combined.
10
Spread the macaroni and cheese mixture evenly in the dish, then sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of cheese followed by the breadcrumb mixture.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the mixture is bubbling. Let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving so it can set. Enjoy your delicious, cheesy creation!
Nutrition Information
32.5g
Fat
41.25g
Carbs
22.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta Bake?
It is a hearty comfort food dish that combines the creamy elements of macaroni and cheese with savory cheeseburger flavors, smoky bacon, and zesty jalapenos.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 6 to 8 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 525 calories.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius.
How long does the pasta bake need to stay in the oven?
Bake the dish for 35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the mixture is bubbling.
How much ground beef is required?
You will need 1 pound of ground beef for this recipe.
What type of cheese is recommended?
The recipe calls for 5 cups of grated sharp cheddar cheese, though pepper jack can be used for extra heat.
How many slices of bacon are used?
This recipe uses 6 slices of finely diced bacon.
How do I prepare the jalapenos?
The jalapenos should have their ribs and seeds removed before being minced.
Should the milk be cold when added to the sauce?
No, the recipe recommends using 4 cups of warmed milk for the sauce.
What size casserole dish is needed?
You should use a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
Do I need to cook the macaroni before baking?
Yes, the macaroni should be cooked until al dente before being folded into the cheese mixture.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 22.5 grams of protein per serving.
How much fat is in one serving?
One serving contains 32.5 grams of fat.
What ingredients are in the topping?
The topping consists of panko breadcrumbs, reserved bacon, dried parsley, melted butter, salt, pepper, and an extra cup of cheese.
How long should the dish cool after baking?
Let the pasta bake cool for about 10 minutes before serving so it can properly set.
How much smoked paprika is used?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of smoked paprika.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
Each serving contains 41.25 grams of carbohydrates.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
This recipe requires 2 minced garlic cloves.
What size skillet should be used?
A large 12-inch skillet is recommended for cooking the bacon, beef, and sauce.
What type of breadcrumbs are used for the topping?
1 cup of Panko breadcrumbs is used for a crispy texture.
How is the cheese added to the sauce?
Add 4 cups of cheese a handful at a time, ensuring each is melted before adding the next.
Should I save the bacon grease?
Yes, you should reserve several tablespoons of bacon fat to cook the beef and sauté the onions.
How many jalapenos are included?
The recipe uses 2 minced jalapenos.
Is this recipe suitable for kids?
Yes, it is designed to be family-friendly, though you can adjust the jalapenos to suit their heat preference.
How much butter is used in the main mixture?
4 tablespoons of butter are used to cook the onions.
What kind of pasta is required?
1 pound of macaroni is the standard pasta for this recipe.
How much flour is needed for the roux?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of flour to help thicken the cheese sauce.
Can I substitute the cheese?
Yes, while sharp cheddar is standard, you can use pepper jack for an extra kick.
What provides the smoky flavor in this dish?
The smoky flavor comes from the rendered bacon fat, the cooked bacon pieces, and the smoked paprika.