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Ooey Gooey BBQ Bacon Mac Recipe

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4.5 from 105 reviews

Ooey Gooey BBQ Bacon Mac is a delicious fusion casserole combining tender BBQ-seasoned ground beef, creamy macaroni and cheese, and pasta layers of elbow macaroni and lasagna noodles. Baked to golden bubbly perfection, this American fusion main dish delivers the ultimate comforting and hearty meal perfect for gatherings or family dinners.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 190 grams elbow macaroni
  • 8 lasagna noodles

Sauce and Dairy

  • 30 milliliters olive oil
  • 240 milliliters barbecue sauce
  • 200 grams shredded cheddar cheese
  • 200 grams shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 240 milliliters whole milk
  • 16 grams all purpose flour
  • 43 grams unsalted butter

Meats

  • 450 grams ground beef

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

Seasonings and Garnish

  • 5 grams fine sea salt
  • 1 gram ground black pepper
  • Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set the oven temperature to 190°C to prepare for baking the casserole later.
  2. Cook elbow macaroni: Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  3. Prepare the BBQ beef mixture: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute. Add ground beef and cook until browned through. Stir in barbecue sauce, simmer on low for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
  4. Make the cheese sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour to create a roux and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in whole milk, stirring continuously until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar and half the mozzarella cheese until melted and smooth.
  5. Combine pasta and cheese sauce: Toss the cooked elbow macaroni with the cheese sauce until evenly coated.
  6. Cook lasagna noodles: Boil lasagna noodles in salted water until al dente. Drain thoroughly.
  7. Assemble the casserole: Grease a 23 x 33 cm baking dish. Layer lasagna noodles evenly on the base, then spread half of the BBQ beef mixture over the noodles. Add half the macaroni and cheese mixture on top, then sprinkle 100 grams of mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers ending with the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
  8. Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
  9. Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbling.
  10. Rest and garnish: Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve warm for the best flavor.

Notes

  • To achieve perfectly cooked pasta, do not overcook macaroni or lasagna noodles; al dente texture holds up well during baking.
  • Use a good-quality barbecue sauce to complement the beef flavor effectively.
  • If desired, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
  • Make ahead and refrigerate assembled casserole up to 24 hours before baking.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.

Find it online: https://recipesvow.com/ooey-gooey-bbq-bacon-mac-recipe/