Bacon Burger Mac and Cheese Skillet

How to make a quick and easy mac and cheese skillet with ground beef and bacon ready for dinner in just 20 minutes.

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Mac and cheese is a weekly staple in our home – sometimes a couple nights a week. What can I say? We just love it. And while it’s great on it’s own, I like to add in different things to change it up just a little bit.

One of my favorite ways to add to a box of mac and cheese is simply by adding ground beef to it, and sometimes, even bacon!

More times than not, we just do ground beef, but on nights where we have leftover bacon, I add it in, or sprinkle it on top depending on how much is left, and if we don’t have bacon, but we have bacon bits, that’s great for sprinkling on top too!

Another favorite add in – diced tomatoes! Drain the can, then dump them in and mix together.

We are able to get a meal for 2 plus 1 lunch from just one box of mac and cheese, but I like to add a little bit of extra pasta to the dish, and it stretches it to 2 lunches. If you add a side of veges, it’ll stretch even more. Serve 6 by simply doubling the recipe.

The crocheted pieces are my own design from my EyeLoveKnots blog. The orange one is the Taryn Washcloth (free crochet pattern), and the blue one is the Gwendolyn Table Runner (free crochet pattern).

Can I Use Ground Turkey Instead of Ground Beef?

Ground Turkey is a great alternative to Ground Beef. It is a healthier option, though the beef is higher in protein.

Do I Have to Season My Meat?

You do not have to season the meat! Seasoning the ground beef adds an extra punch of flavor to the dish, but there are many times that I do not season the meat with anything, and then after the dish is put together, I eat it as is, and my husband just adds a touch of pepper, and we’re happy campers.

We do love the Killer Hog AP Seasoning from Academy Sports, and I don’t measure – just sprinkle it across. If you don’t have an all purpose seasoning, you can make your own with 1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper, and 1 tsp each of garlic and onion powder or use any combination of spices that you like on the meat.

What is the Best Boxed Mac and Cheese?

I haven’t tried that many. Velvetta Shells & Cheese was my go-to for several years, but lately I have been on a Kraft Mac and Cheese Deluxe kick. They’re both cheesy and creamy, and don’t require any extra ingredients, like a powder does. I also like that Kraft Mac and Cheese Deluxe has a bunch of different flavors, like Creamy Alfredo, White Cheddar & Cracked Black Peppercorn and Four Cheese. I always keep an eye out for sales, and stock up then.

I use boxed mac and cheese because it’s easy and quick, but mac and cheese made from scratch is even better!

How to Make Your Boxed Mac and Cheese Stretch Further

One box of mac and cheese with ground beef will serve 2 dinners and 1 lunch. To stretch the boxed mac and cheese a bit further, I add in 1/2 to 1 cup of extra pasta to the boiling water. There is plenty of cheese to cover the extra pasta, and it can stretch this meal out to include an extra lunch.

I started doing this when I had some pasta in a container that was a bit broken, and I didn’t want to use on it’s own, so I figured I’d add a little here and there until it was gone, and it worked great so now sometimes, I add in a bit extra, and that is why you see big straight noodles in this skillet.

What Can I Add to My Mac and Cheese to Make it Better?

Crumbled bacon is a delicious add-in to mac and cheese, and it’s a great way to use up leftover bacon so most nights, our mac and cheese is bacon-less, but when we have leftovers, depending on how much I have, I will either mix in some with the dish – about 1/4 to 1/2 a cup since it’s not the main meat source, or I will sprinkle it on top. Bacon bits are great to sprinkle on top as well, though they seem to be a bit tougher.

In addition, a can of drained diced tomatoes is a wonderful add-in, and will also help stretch the servings.

Diced onions and/or mushrooms would be great add-ins to cook with the ground beef.

What to Garnish Mac and Cheese With?

Shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, breadcrumbs or crushed crackers and Franks Red Hot Original are fantastic ways to garnish mac and cheese, and add a bit more flavor and texture to the dish.

What to Serve with Mac and Cheese?

This skillet is intended to be the main dish, and perfect as is, but sometimes we enjoy it with a garden or cesar salad, green beans or broccoli, and/or garlic bread or biscuits on the side.

Looking for another easy pasta skillet? Try the Mushroom Chicken Pasta Skillet! It’s perfect for leftover half and half.

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Recipe Lion, Cheap Thrifty Living, DIYideaCenter

Makes:

3 – 4

Time Required:

20 Minutes

Skillet Ingredients:

• 1 lb of Ground Beef
• 2-3 Tsp of All Purpose Seasoning
• 1 12-14 oz Box of Mac and Cheese
• Optional: 1/2 – 1 Cup of Extra Pasta
• Optional: 1/2 Cup of Crumbled Bacon + Some for Garnishing

Ingredient Notes:

• SEASONING: I love the Killer Hog AP Seasoning from Academy Sports, and I don’t measure – just sprinkle it across so I can’t say for certain exactly how much I use. If you don’t have an all purpose, you can make your own with 1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper, and 1 tsp each of garlic and onion powder or any combination of spices that you like.
• MAC AND CHEESE: I love Kraft Mac and Cheese Deluxe & Velvetta Shells & Cheese, but your favorite box will do, or make it from scratch.
• EXTRA PASTA: Optional, but great to stretch the serving size
• BACON: Optional, but a delicious add-in. Great for leftover bacon, but bacon bits also work.

You’ll Also Need:

• Large Skillet for Browning Meat & Utensil
• Small Pot for Cooking Mac and Cheese & Utensil
• Optional: Measuring Cup & Spoons

Bacon Burger Mac and Cheese Skillet Recipe:

Step 1: Set the water out in the small pot to boil.

Step 2: Add the ground beef to the skillet, and begin chopping it up.

Step 3: Add the seasoning, and cook until browned.

Step 4: When the water begins to boil, add in the pasta (including the extra if using) and cook as directed on the box.

Step 5: Once the meat is browned, drain the grease.

Step 6: Once the pasta is cooked, drain the water and stir in the cheese sauce.

Step 7: In the skillet, combine the ground beef with the mac and cheese and optional add-ins, like bacon and/or tomatoes.

Step 8: Sprinkle with optional garnishment, like bacon and/or cheese, and enjoy!

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