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.
Ingredients
- 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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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