Bacon Cheeseburger Mac

Bacon Cheeseburger Mac

Since fusion food is all the rage, i decided to fuse two American classics, Bacon Cheeseburgers with Mac & Cheese. The kids love it almost as much as i do. This isn't going to win any low fat awards, but it steals the show for taste. This will make 4-6 servings, depending how big the kids are. Please don't be scared by the ingredients. This is the flavor that kid's love and this melts beautifully without a rue or baking.

8 oz (1/2 lb.) Small Pasta - went with my boy's favorite shells
4 oz Extra Sharp Cheddar- diced or shredded
8 oz Velveeta - Yup, you read it right - diced
1 lb Ground Meat - Lean Hamburger or even Turkey rocks this dish
1/4 lb Bacon - cut into small pieces
1/4 cup Onion finely diced
1 cup Milk
3 tbsp Vegetable Oil
Grill Seasoning

Bacon rendering

Render the bacon on medium low in a tbsp of oil to get it started. Start water boiling for pasta, cook to desired tenderness when water boils See below for sauce if you want to do everything at once.When the bacon is fully rendered and as crisp as you like it, remove with a slotted spoon to leave the fat for browning the meat, but save the bacon to top later. Saute the onions for a couple of minutes & turn up the heat to medium high to sear the meat. Sprinkle the meat in the pan with grill seasoning as you would a burger, for me a light dusting is just fine. When fully browned, remove with slotted spoon to a mixing bowl, with pasta if done.

Food Critics

For the sauce, you can cook while you make the meat & pasta, or wait until they are done if it's too much at once. Heat the milk and 2 tbsp oil on medium in a medium saucepan. Just before simmering, reduce heat to medium low, add the diced or shredded cheese and whisk until fully melted. Pour over the meat & pasta, mix thoroughly & top with your bacon. MMMMMMM!