Description
Buffalo Bacon Cheeseburger Macaroni is a flavorful twist on the classic comfort food. This dish combines the savory richness of ground beef, the sharpness of cheddar cheese, the smoky crunch of bacon, and the tangy heat of buffalo sauce. It’s an easy, one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. The combination of textures and flavors will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 4 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Green onions (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the bacon: In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove, crumble, and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the skillet.
- Sauté the aromatics: Add butter to the skillet with the bacon fat. Once melted, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent.
- Brown the beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, cooking until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
- Make the sauce: Stir in the buffalo sauce, beef broth, and milk. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then add the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Combine: Add the cooked macaroni and crumbled bacon to the skillet. Stir until everything is well-coated with the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish and serve: Serve hot, garnished with green onions if desired.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to your preferred spice level.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: Buffalo Bacon Cheeseburger Macaroni