One Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni with Beef, Bacon, and Cheese (Print version)

A hearty one-pot cheeseburger macaroni with ground beef, crisp bacon, tender elbows, cheddar, mustard, ketchup, and pickles.

# Ingredients:

For the beef and bacon

01 - 6 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
02 - 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef, 85 to 90 percent lean
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
06 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

For the macaroni and sauce

08 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
09 - 3 tablespoons ketchup
10 - 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
11 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
12 - 3 cups (720 ml) low-sodium beef broth
13 - 8 oz (225 g) elbow macaroni, about 2 cups dry
14 - 3/4 cup (180 ml) evaporated milk
15 - 1 1/2 cups (170 g) freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
16 - 4 slices American cheese, torn into pieces
17 - 1/3 cup diced dill pickles, for serving
18 - 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, optional

# Instructions:

01 - Place the bacon in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium heat. Cook for 7-9 minutes, stirring often, until crisp. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and leave about 1 tablespoon of drippings in the pot.
02 - Add the ground beef and onion to the bacon drippings. Cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking up the beef, until browned and the onion is soft. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Stir in the garlic, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, tomato paste, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for 1 minute, stirring, until the tomato paste darkens slightly.
04 - Pour in the beef broth and stir in the elbow macaroni. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer. Cook uncovered for 10-12 minutes, stirring often, until the macaroni is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
05 - Reduce the heat to low and stir in the evaporated milk. Cook for 1 minute, just until hot. If the pasta looks dry, add a splash more broth or milk.
06 - Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the cheddar and American cheese a handful at a time until smooth and creamy.
07 - Fold in most of the cooked bacon. Spoon into bowls and top with the remaining bacon, diced pickles, and parsley if using. Serve hot.

# Good to know:

01 - Best served right after cooking while the sauce is creamy.
02 - Add extra broth or milk when reheating leftovers.
03 - Cook ground beef to 160°F for food safety.

Back