### Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese
**Prep Time**: 10 minutes
**Cook Time**: 40 minutes
**Total Time**: 50 minutes
**Servings**: 6
#### Summary
Experience the taste of cheeseburgers blended into a rich mac and cheese!
#### Ingredients
**For the cheese sauce:**
– 2 tablespoons butter
– 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (gluten-free for gluten-free)
– 2 cups milk (or broth)
– 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
– 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
**For the burger Mac:**
– 6 ounces bacon, sliced
– 1 pound ground beef
– 1 cup onion, diced
– 3 cloves garlic, chopped
– 1 teaspoon onion powder
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/2 teaspoon paprika
– 1/8 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
– 1 tablespoon steak seasoning
– 2 1/2 cups beef broth (or water)
– 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
– 8 ounces pasta (such as macaroni) (gluten-free for gluten-free)
– 1/4 cup ketchup
– 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
– 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free for gluten-free)
– 1 tablespoon soy sauce (gluten-free for gluten-free)
#### Directions
**For the cheese sauce:**
1. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until it’s frothy and just begins to golden.
2. Stir in the flour and let it simmer for a minute.
3. Pour in the milk, stirring, and bring to a simmer, cooking until the sauce thickens, around 2-3 minutes.
4. Incorporate the cheese and let it blend into the sauce, stirring.
**For the burger Mac:**
1. In a large saucepan, cook the bacon over medium heat, then remove and set aside.
2. Add the beef, cooking and breaking it apart, for about 10 minutes, then drain any excess grease.
3. Stir in the onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the garlic, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, and steak seasoning; mix and cook until aromatic, about a minute.
5. Pour in the broth, tomatoes, bacon, beef, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce; raise to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until pasta is tender, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Combine with the cheese sauce and savor!
**Option**: Include your preferred cheeseburger garnishes, like diced pickles, etc.
#### Nutrition Facts
– Calories: 612
– Fat: 52g (Saturated 24g, Trans 1g)
– Cholesterol: 147mg
– Sodium: 1115mg
– Carbs: 47g (Fiber 3g, Sugars 12g)
– Protein: 38g