Bacon Cheeseburger Macaroni Casserole Recipe

Homemade Bacon Cheeseburger Macaroni — a from-scratch Hamburger Helper copycat that’s pure comfort food and a family favorite.

If you grew up in the 1980s, boxed Hamburger Helper might be a nostalgic sight in the grocery aisle. That little oven mitt mascot brings back memories. I wanted the flavor and ease of cheeseburger macaroni but made from real ingredients, so I developed a homemade version that tastes better and feels a bit healthier.

I still crave that creamy, beefy pasta sometimes — cheeseburger macaroni was my favorite boxed variety — so I recreated it from scratch. The result keeps the familiar comfort while using simple, recognizable ingredients.

How to Make Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni

This version takes a little more hands-on time than the boxed mix but is still quick and straightforward. Start by cooking bacon until crisp, then set it aside and remove most of the grease from the skillet. While the bacon cooks, boil the elbow macaroni and drain it when tender. In the same skillet, brown the ground beef, adding diced onion and garlic if you like.

Whisk together the sauce: beef broth, tomato sauce, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce and a cornstarch slurry. Add the sauce and cooked pasta to the skillet with the beef, heat until the sauce thickens, then stir in the chopped bacon and shredded cheddar until melted. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm.

We all loved this version — it’s rich, comforting, and very filling. I often serve it with a simple green salad to balance the richness.

Tips and Variations

• Swap the protein: use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
• Garnish: sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives for color and brightness.
• Pasta: you can use small shells or mini penne instead of elbow macaroni if preferred.
• Cheese: a mix of sharp cheddar and a bit of Monterey Jack melts nicely for extra creaminess.

This homemade take keeps the easy, nostalgic appeal of boxed cheeseburger macaroni while delivering better flavor and real ingredients. It’s an easy weeknight meal the whole family will enjoy.

Bacon Cheeseburger Macaroni

A homemade hamburger macaroni with bacon and plenty of cheese. Comforting, family-friendly, and easy to prepare.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Author: Taylor Ellingson

Ingredients

• 6 slices bacon chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 8 ounces elbow macaroni
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 ½ cups beef broth
• 8 ounce can tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions

• In a large skillet, cook the bacon until it reaches your preferred crispness. Remove bacon and most of the grease; set bacon aside.
• While the bacon cooks, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
• In the same skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into pieces as it cooks.
• In a bowl, whisk together the beef broth, tomato sauce, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
• Transfer 1/4 cup of the liquid to a small bowl, whisk in the cornstarch until smooth, then return it to the larger bowl and stir to combine.
• Add the sauce and cooked pasta to the skillet with the beef and stir well. Heat over medium-low, stirring often; the sauce should thicken in 2–3 minutes.
• Stir in the bacon and shredded cheddar. Cover the skillet for 1–2 minutes to melt the cheese, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve hot and enjoy.