Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole

5 from 22 votes

Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole has all the flavor of a classic bacon burger combined with pasta for a hearty casserole the whole family will love.

Prep Time5

Cook Time30

Resting Time3

Total Time38

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 1014kcal

Author: Ned Adams

Equipment

12-inch cast iron skillet

Ingredients

8 oz. elbow macaroni (any small pasta)
1 lb bacon chopped
2 tbsp. bacon grease (butter or oil will work too)
½ cup onions finely diced
1½ lbs. ground beef
½ tsp. salt +/-, to taste
½ tsp. pepper +/-, to taste
½ tsp. granulated garlic (or powdered, not garlic salt)
1 tsp. paprika

Cheeseburger Sauce

1½ cups beef broth
4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1¼ cup ketchup
4 tbsp. yellow mustard
2½ tbsp. dill pickle juice (brine from a jar)
1 tsp. cornstarch (OPTIONAL)

Casserole Mix-ins

¼ cup dill pickle relish (or finely diced dill pickles)
4 oz. mozzarella cheese grated/shredded
4 oz. cheddar cheese grated/shredded

US Standard - Metric

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cook the macaroni according to package directions EXCEPT stop cooking one minute before it should be done.
Heat the skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chopped bacon, reserving 2 tbsp. renderings once done, drain the rest; set aside.
In the same skillet, return to medium-high heat, add the reserved bacon renderings and onions, cook for 2-3 minutes.
Crumble the ground beef into the skillet, stirring to mix in the onions.
Add the salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika; cook about 5 minutes or until done, drain any renderings.
In a medium bowl, combine the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, and cornstarch; whisk until combined.
Once the beef is cooked, remove from heat and stir in the bacon and the pasta.
Over medium heat, pour in the liquid mixture, stir to combine.
Stir in the pickle relish and the mozzarella cheese, cook until it starts to bubble and the sauce begins to thicken; about 5 minutes.
Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the top.
Place the skillet in the oven uncovered and cook until the cheese is melted; 7-10 minutes.

Notes

Pull the pasta early. Stop cooking it one minute shy of the package time; it finishes in the oven and will not turn mushy.
Thicken to taste. Use the optional cornstarch, or reserve about a quarter cup of the sauce to stir in after baking if it gets too thick.
Dab the fat. While it rests, rendered fat rises to the top. A quick pass with a paper towel keeps it from looking greasy.
Grate your own cheese. Block cheese you shred yourself melts smoother than pre-shredded.

Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole

This casserole works well in the slow cooker, especially if you prep the night before. Cook the noodles one minute shy of package directions, drain, toss with a little oil, and refrigerate. Cook the bacon and set aside. Sear the ground beef with the onions and spices in the same skillet, drain, and mix in the bacon (the beef does not need to be fully cooked; it finishes in the slow cooker). Whisk the sauce ingredients together. Add the meats and sauce to the slow cooker, stir in the pickle relish and mozzarella, cover, and cook on LOW for 4 hours. Stir in the cooked noodles, top with the cheddar, cover, and cook another 30 to 60 minutes. Serve and enjoy.

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