Hearty Bacon Mac n Cheese Stuffed Burger Recipe for Cold Days

Comfort food reaches new heights with this mouthwatering bacon mac n cheese stuffed burger that promises to warm your soul on chilly evenings.

Melted cheese, crispy bacon, and creamy mac n cheese create a decadent filling nestled inside a perfectly seasoned beef patty.

Every bite delivers an explosion of rich, savory flavors that dance across your taste buds.

The juicy burger combines classic American comfort foods into one irresistible package.

Crisp bacon adds a smoky crunch that complements the gooey mac n cheese center.

This recipe transforms an ordinary burger into an extraordinary culinary experience that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Prepare to indulge in the ultimate comfort meal that satisfies every craving.

How to Build a Winter Bacon Mac n Cheese Burger

Craft Creamy Mac Cheese Stuffed Burgers

• Boil Pasta Perfection

Cook macaroni until tender, then drain. Whip up a velvety cheese sauce by melting butter, whisking in flour, and gradually adding milk. Stir in sharp cheddar until smooth and creamy. Fold pasta into the luscious sauce, ensuring every noodle gets coated.

• Crisp Up the Bacon

Sizzle bacon in a hot skillet until it transforms into crunchy, golden strips. For an extra flavor kick, sprinkle with brown sugar before cooking. Drain on paper towels to keep that irresistible crunch.

• Build Burger

Form ground beef into generous patties. Create a cheesy pocket by spreading mac and cheese in the center of half the patties. Carefully top with remaining beef patties, sealing edges to lock in the creamy goodness. Grill to juicy perfection, creating a molten cheese center that’ll make mouths water.

• Final Burger Symphony

Toast buns until golden and crisp. Layer your masterpiece with the cheese-stuffed patty, crown with crispy bacon strips, and add your favorite fresh toppings. Serve immediately while the cheese is still melty and the burger is piping hot.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 850 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients for the Winter Bacon Mac n Cheese Burger

• Ground Beef: Select high-fat content meat for juiciness and rich flavor, preferably 80/20 blend for optimal burger texture.
• Elbow Macaroni: Choose quality pasta that holds cheese sauce well, ensuring smooth and creamy mac n cheese filling.
• Burger Buns: Select soft, sturdy buns that can handle hefty stuffed burger without falling apart.

• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp variety adds robust flavor and smooth melting quality to mac n cheese sauce.
• Butter: Creates silky roux base for cheese sauce, enhancing overall creamy texture.
• Flour: Thickens cheese sauce, providing perfect consistency for mac n cheese filling.

• Bacon: Use thick-cut bacon for maximum crispiness and intense smoky flavor profile.
• Brown Sugar: Optional caramelizing agent for bacon, introducing subtle sweetness.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that elevate beef and mac n cheese flavors.
• Milk: Ensures creamy, luxurious cheese sauce with balanced consistency.
• Olive Oil: Helps prevent burger sticking and adds subtle Mediterranean undertone.

Tools That Help Stuff the Bacon Mac Burger Right

• Grill Pan: Essential for cooking burger patties with perfect sear and grill marks.
• Large Saucepan: Needed for making creamy mac n cheese sauce and boiling pasta.
• Skillet: Used for cooking crispy bacon with optional brown sugar glaze.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Helpful for combining ingredients and seasoning ground beef.
• Whisk: Perfect for creating smooth cheese sauce without lumps.
• Spatula: Useful for flipping burgers and stirring mac n cheese.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Precise for measuring ingredients accurately.
• Cutting Board: Provides clean surface for preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping and preparing burger components.

Tips for Cheesy, Juicy Burger

• Pro Tips & Flavor Boosters for Winter Bacon Mac n Cheese Stuffed Burger
• Use a blend of cheeses like sharp cheddar, gruyere, or smoked gouda for extra depth and richness in your mac n cheese filling.
• Swap regular bacon for maple bacon or pepper-crusted bacon to add unexpected flavor layers to your burger.
• Make extra mac n cheese stuffed patties and freeze them between parchment paper for quick future meals during busy winter weeks.
• Replace wheat flour with cornstarch in cheese sauce and use gluten-free breadcrumbs if binding is needed, making the recipe celiac-friendly.
• Skip the bun and wrap your stuffed burger in lettuce leaves or serve over a crisp salad for a protein-packed alternative that cuts down on carbohydrates.

Serve These Burgers at Cold-Weather Cookouts

• Comfort Food Fusion: Pairing suggestions that elevate your burger experience.
• Cozy Side Companions: Serve with crispy sweet potato fries or a tangy coleslaw to balance the rich, creamy burger. The crunch and freshness will complement the indulgent mac n cheese filling.
• Beer Buddy Delight: Match this hearty burger with a robust amber ale or a smooth stout. The malty flavors will harmonize perfectly with the cheesy, bacon-packed burger, creating a satisfying winter meal.
• Veggie Balance Plate: Add a light mixed green salad with a zingy vinaigrette on the side. The fresh, acidic notes will cut through the burger's richness and provide a refreshing contrast to the heavy protein.
• Pickle Power Punch: Top the burger with homemade quick-pickled jalapeños or dill pickles. These tangy, slightly spicy additions will wake up the flavor profile and add an exciting layer of complexity to each bite.

Store Leftover Burgers for a Cozy Next-Day Meal

• Wrap cooked burgers individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days. Separate mac n cheese and bacon in sealed containers to maintain optimal texture and prevent sogginess.
• Individually freeze uncooked stuffed burger patties between parchment paper layers. They'll stay delicious for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before cooking for best results.
• Prepare mac n cheese and bacon components separately during weekend cooking. Store in refrigerator compartments, allowing quick assembly of burgers during busy weeknights. Components remain fresh for 5 days.
• Crumble remaining burgers into salads, recreate as burger bowls, or chop for hearty breakfast hash. Repurposing leftovers prevents food waste and creates exciting new meal variations.

FAQs

• What makes the mac n cheese special in this burger?

The mac n cheese is homemade with a creamy cheddar cheese sauce, creating a rich and indulgent filling that melts perfectly inside the burger patty.

• Can I use different types of cheese for the mac n cheese?

Absolutely! You can experiment with cheeses like gruyère, monterey jack, or a blend of cheeses to customize the flavor and create your own unique mac n cheese stuffing.

• Is it difficult to stuff the burger patties with mac n cheese?

Not at all. Simply create a small well in one patty, add a spoonful of mac n cheese, then cover with another patty and seal the edges carefully to prevent the filling from leaking during cooking.

• How do I prevent the mac n cheese from oozing out while cooking?

Make sure to seal the edges of the patties tightly and avoid overfilling. Cook the burgers on medium-high heat and avoid flipping them too many times to keep the stuffing intact.

Cozy Winter Bacon Mac N Cheese Stuffed Burger Recipe

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Winter Bacon Mac n Cheese Stuffed Burger merges comfort classics into one epic handheld meal. Melted cheese, crispy bacon, and creamy mac n cheese create a luxurious sandwich that satisfies deep craving souls who seek hearty culinary adventures.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ lbs (680 g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
• 2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• ½ cup (60 g) cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tbsps cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (100 g) elbow macaroni, cooked
• 4 burger buns, toasted
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Lettuce, tomato slices, and pickles (optional)
• Additional bacon or mac n cheese for topping (optional)

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Instructions

1. Mac n Cheese Preparation: Cook elbow macaroni to al dente, then craft a luxurious cheese sauce by creating a roux with butter and flour, gradually whisking in milk until smooth. Melt cheddar cheese into the sauce, seasoning with salt and pepper, then fold pasta into the creamy mixture.
2. Bacon Enhancement: Render bacon in a skillet until achieving crisp, golden-brown edges. Optional: caramelize with a sprinkle of brown sugar. Drain on paper towels and crumble into bite-sized pieces.
3. Burger Patty Construction: Season ground beef, then create four thin patty rounds. Develop a pocket in one patty, generously fill with prepared mac n cheese, and carefully seal with a second patty by pinching edges to prevent filling escape.
4. Cooking Process: Heat grill pan with olive oil, sear stuffed patties for 4-5 minutes per side until reaching desired doneness and developing a robust exterior crust.
5. Final Assembly: Lightly toast burger buns to provide a crisp foundation. Layer the mac n cheese-stuffed patty on bottom bun, crown with crispy bacon and optional fresh toppings, then complete with top bun. Serve immediately to maintain optimal temperature and gooey interior.

Notes

Manage Pasta Texture: Cook macaroni al dente to prevent mushiness when mixed with cheese sauce, ensuring each pasta bite remains firm and distinct.

Control Cheese Sauce Consistency: Whisk roux carefully and add milk gradually to avoid lumps, creating a smooth, velvety base that coats pasta perfectly without being too thick or runny.

Seal Burger Patties Securely: Pinch burger edges firmly and create thick patty walls to prevent mac n cheese from leaking during cooking, maintaining a clean and intact stuffed burger.

Balance Bacon Crispness: Render bacon slowly over medium heat to achieve maximum crispness without burning, and blot excess grease to maintain a crunchy texture and prevent sogginess in the burger.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 660
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg