Description
Hearty comfort meets indulgence in this beefy mac and cheese casserole, blending rich ground beef with creamy cheese sauce and tender pasta. Savory layers promise a satisfying meal that will comfort hungry souls and delight families around the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
Pasta and Dairy:
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup milk
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbles until fully cooked and no pink remains. Drain excess fat.
- Cook elbow macaroni in salted boiling water until al dente, typically 8-9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Create a rich cheese sauce by whisking together heavy cream, milk, half of the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl.
- Combine the cooked ground beef, drained pasta, and cheese sauce, stirring until thoroughly incorporated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg and mix with breadcrumbs and crumbled bacon to create a crunchy topping.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese and the bacon-breadcrumb mixture over the casserole.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the cheese becomes bubbly and slightly crisp.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow the casserole to set.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving hot.
Notes
- Lean Meat Option: Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein alternative that keeps the dish hearty and flavorful.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free pasta and replace breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour to maintain the crispy topping texture.
- Vegetable Boost: Incorporate diced bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms into the beef mixture for extra nutrition and depth of flavor without compromising the comfort food essence.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire casserole up to the baking stage, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, allowing flavors to meld and making meal prep a breeze.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 681
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 726 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 134 mg