Description
A hearty meal prep burger featuring a juicy beef patty stuffed with creamy mac and cheese and crispy bacon, designed for easy lunchbox packing and reheating.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1 cup dry elbow macaroni
- 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 6–8 strips thick-cut bacon
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Oil for searing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente (6-7 minutes), drain, rinse with cold water, and toss with butter.
- Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, then chop into small pieces.
- In a medium bowl, combine cooked pasta, chopped bacon, grated cheddar, and heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper and let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, mix ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Do not overmix.
- Divide beef into 4 equal portions and flatten into discs.
- Place a generous scoop of the mac and cheese mixture in the center of each disc.
- Fold the beef edges over the filling, sealing completely, then roll into a ball and flatten back into a patty shape, ensuring no cracks.
- Sear burgers in a hot skillet with oil for 2 minutes per side to form a crust.
- Transfer seared burgers to the baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Rest burgers for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Ensure the beef is cold when forming patties to prevent fat from melting prematurely. Searing helps seal the edges to prevent cheese leakage. For best results, freeze the mac and cheese scoops for 10 minutes before stuffing to help them hold their shape. Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed burger
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 40
Keywords: mac and cheese burger, stuffed burger, meal prep, bacon burger, comfort food, lunch ideas, high protein