Who doesn’t love a good bacon cheeseburger? Now, imagine all that mouthwatering goodness in a simple, one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. This Bacon Cheeseburger Skillet Casserole is packed with savory ground beef, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and all the flavors you crave—without the fuss.
It’s like a homemade hamburger helper with a Southern twist, made right in your skillet for easy cleanup. This is comfort food at its best, and trust me, it’s one recipe your family will beg for again and again!
Table of Contents
- 🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- 🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
- 📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- 🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
- 🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
- 🥫 Leftover love: how to store and reheat bacon cheeseburger casserole
- Marye's Tip o' the day
- 💭 Insider tips: things to know
- 👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
- 📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
- 🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- 🍽️ No waste: creative ways to repurpose leftover bacon cheeseburger casserole
- 📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
- 📖 Recipe
- Bacon cheeseburger macaroni skillet
- 💬 Comments
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🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- Quick and easy comfort food without the box!
- This easy skillet dinner goes from start to finish in about 20 minutes so it's great for busy weeknights.
- Pre-shredded cheese saves time but you'll lose the creamy texture and flavor. Shred cheese from a block if you want it to be extra smooth and delicious every time.
This copycat Hamburger Helper cheeseburger macaroni is an easy weeknight dinner made with simple, real ingredients.
After all, the homemade version is always better tasting than the boxed version... and usually a bit cheaper, and healthier, too. It's a winner in every way.
In the mood for Tex-Mex? Check out this easy taco spaghetti!
🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- We always have lean ground beef in the fridge, but this easy cheeseburger skillet tastes great with ground turkey, too.
- Sometimes we'll add a bit of tomato paste or leftover tomato sauce. It kind of reminds me of adding ketchup to a burger, if you're a fan of that.
- In a pinch, your favorite pickle relish works instead of chopped pickles.
- You can swap the chopped onions for onion powder or garlic powder to keep the flavor while pleasing picky eaters.
- Any small noodles will work—don't go to the grocery store, just use whatever you have! We like elbow macaroni, too.
🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- In a large skillet, saute bacon, onions, and ground meat. Add butter.
- Sprinkle the mixture with flour.
- Add the cooked macaroni, milk, eggs, and mustard powder.
- Stir in cheddar cheese and melt over medium heat.
🤫 Marye's secret for zhuzhing it up -
Sometimes I'll add some diced tomatoes for extra flavor.
zhuzh: verb. To make something more interesting or attractive
🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
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🥫 Leftover love: how to store and reheat bacon cheeseburger casserole
This is such an easy dinner recipe because you can easily stretch it to last a few days.
Let leftovers cool to room temperature then refrigerate in an airtight container for 4 to 5 days. When you're ready to eat, just microwave until warm.
You can also freeze cheeseburger macaroni for up to six months in freezer-safe storage containers or bags.
Just microwave it to thaw or let thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Busy weeknights just got a whole lot easier.
Marye's Tip o' the day
Don't pour bacon grease down your drain—too many times doing so and you can get a clog! Instead, line a bowl with a bag or some foil and pour it in there. Let it cool, then wrap it up and toss! Better yet, store it in the fridge - it's so good in so many things!
💭 Insider tips: things to know
- You can use a meat chopper to break down the ground beef in your pan more evenly.
- Pasta Recipe Rule 101: Salt your water well before adding the noodles. They'll soak up the flavor and taste better!
- "Real" cheese tastes best, but if you have a favorite non-dairy alternative, you can feel free to use it. Usually, they don't melt as well, but if you try to limit your dairy intake, it'll do the job.
👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!
It really is! Of course, any variations you make might change the flavor a bit, and even the Hamburger Helper box encourages you to add your own ingredients, too.
Nope! Some people "upgrade" a box of hamburger helper with beef broth or chicken broth, but the homemade version doesn't need it.
⏲️ Marye's time saving hacks -
I like to look over my meal plan for the week and cook ALL of the ground beef I'll need for casseroles at once. That way, I save about 10 minutes per meal of cook time.
📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
- Baked Ziti with Sausage combines the best comfort foods in one easy casserole: melty cheese, flavorful ground sausage, and perfect pasta!
- Ham and tender egg noodles mingle together in a creamy cheese sauce in this delicious Cheesy Ham & Noodles Casserole. It tastes better than from childhood!
- With two Southern staples, this Mac and Cheese Pulled Pork casserole is the best kind of comfort food! Use your favorite BBQ sauce and don't skimp on the cheese.
- We love this Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole.
🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
Rich, soft dinner rolls are so light they almost float away plus they're easy to make and freeze well!
Roasted asparagus is quick and easy plus it's delicious with the cheesy sauce in the bacon cheeseburger skillet casserole.
Texas sheet cake goes together quickly and easily - it's perfect for potlucks and family dinners.
🍽️ No waste: creative ways to repurpose leftover bacon cheeseburger casserole
Leftovers? Add enough milk to make a soup. You may want to add in a little more shredded cheese or Velveeta for a cheesier soup flavor.
📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
As far as I'm concerned there's nothing that makes the food budget go further than pasta! This comforting, cheesy meal is quick and easy to make, too.
That's why it's on the "A" list at my house!
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Bacon Cheeseburger Skillet Dinner Recipe
Print Pin Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 1 lb uncooked shell pasta
- ½ cup (one stick) unsalted butter
- ¾ cup milk, (more if needed for preferred consistency)
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 lb shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
- 1 ½ pound ground beef
- ½ cup chopped onion, , optional
- 6 bacon strips, , diced
- ¼ cup pickles, , chopped - optional
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted, boiling water until tender but not mushy.
- While the pasta cooks, cook the bacon and onions together until the bacon is crisp and the onion is tender.
- Remove from pan and set aside.
- Pour off all but about 2 tablespoons of grease from the pan.
- Add the hamburger, sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook it thoroughly.
- Add the bacon and onions back to the pan, along with the butter.
- Stir until butter is melted and sprinkle with the flour.
- Cook for 2 minutes, stirring.
- Stir in the well-drained pasta.
- Whisk the eggs and mustard into the milk and pour over the meat mixture.
- Add the grated cheese.
- Cook, stirring constantly until thickened and well blended - about 3 minutes.
Notes
- Don't pour bacon grease down your drain—too many times doing so and you can get a clog! Instead, line a bowl with a bag or some foil and pour it in there. Let it cool, then wrap it up and store or toss!
- You can use a meat chopper to break down the ground beef in your pan more evenly.
- Shred cheese from a block if you want it to be extra smooth and delicious. Pre-shredded cheese has a coating to prevent it from sticking together.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
First published July 17, 2012. Last updated October 16, 2024 for editorial improvements and readability.
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Bacon cheeseburger macaroni skillet
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Kirsten says
Marye,
You had me at bacon. Everyone always has me at bacon. Thanks for the cost breakdown--that's an excellent way to show that it's really not that good of a deal.
Oh, and I was stationed in Misawa Japan and hope your son enjoyed his time wherever he was.
Thanks!
Marye Audet says
He did, thanks! He is now in Las Vegas as a dedicated crew chief for the Thunderbirds... 🙂 And I know. Bacon. So much yes there to love.
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
This sounds like something my cousin has made before! I wonder why in the world kids are typically fairly finicky about eating. At least I know most will eventually grow out of it. 🙂
Missy Moran says
This would have been even cheaper if pasta was purchased when it was on sale BOGO. I Buy extra when the good beef is on sale and buy cheese in bulk. Great post Marye! I think dry mustard needs to be in my pantry.