Cheeseburger Macaroni & Cheese with Burger Topping Relish

Everything you love in a cheeseburger!

Everything you love in a cheeseburger is baked together in our favorite macaroni and cheese…but don’t forget the toppings!  Pickles, tomato, lettuce and red onion are diced and combined to make a fresh and crunchy relish to top or serve alongside the rich and creamy macaroni.  I love the contrasting textures and flavors – just like on a great burger!  We served this at our Memorial Day BBQ this year and it was a big hit with our crowd!

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Cheeseburger Macaroni & Cheese with Burger Topping Relish

Everything you love in a cheeseburger is baked together in our favorite macaroni and cheese...but don't forget the toppings!  Pickles, tomato, lettuce and red onion are diced and combined to make a fresh and crunchy relish to top or serve alongside the rich and creamy macaroni.  I love the contrasting textures and flavors - just like on a great burger!

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Servings

10-12

Ingredients

Macaroni

• 1-2 tablespoon salt (for water)
• 1 box/pound elbow macaroni

Beef Mixture

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 3/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/3 cup ketchup

Cheese Sauce

• 1/2 stick (4-tablespoons) butter
• 1/4 cup (+2 tablespoons) flour
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 2 teaspoons dry mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
• 3/4 pound sharp cheddar cheese shredded
• 6 ounces American cheese (from deli, not pre-packaged slices) cut into strips

Bread Crump Topping

• 1 tablespoon butter melted
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper

Burger Topping Relish

• 2 large dill pickles diced
• 2 plum tomatoes diced
• 2 large leaves romaine lettuce cut into small pieces
• 1/4 cup finely mined red onion

Servings 10-12 Ingredients Macaroni 1-2 tablespoon salt (for water) 1 box/pound elbow macaroni Beef Mixture 1 pound lean ground beef 3/4 cup finely chopped onion 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/3 cup ketchup Cheese Sauce 1/2 stick (4-tablespoons) butter 1/4 cup (+2 tablespoons) flour 1/4 teaspoon white pepper 2 teaspoons dry mustard 1/4 teaspoon salt 4 1/2 cups whole milk 1/2 teaspoon worcestershire sauce 3/4 pound sharp cheddar cheese shredded 6 ounces American cheese (from deli, not pre-packaged slices) cut into strips Bread Crump Topping 1 tablespoon butter melted 1 cup panko breadcrumbs 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper Burger Topping Relish 2 large dill pickles diced 2 plum tomatoes diced 2 large leaves romaine lettuce cut into small pieces 1/4 cup finely mined red onion

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Instructions

1. This makes a half-sized foil steam table pan (12 ¾ x 10 3/8 x 2 3/5).  Place your foil pan on a baking sheet for stability. Could alternatively use a 4-quart dish.
2. Grease pan and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
3. Set a large pot (6-quart or larger) of salted water (1 tablespoons salt) to boil.

Beef Mixture

1. Brown ground beef, drain off fat.  Add onions, salt and pepper and cook, stirring until onions are softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in ketchup.

Cheese Sauce

1. In 4-quart saucepan make roux: melt butter and stir in flour, white pepper, mustard and salt until smooth.
2. Cook for a few minutes stirring constantly. Whisk ½ cup of the milk into the roux until they combine smoothly.  Add a little more milk and whisk until smooth.
3. Whisk in the rest of the milk.  Heat and stir frequently over medium heat.
4. Make sure to scrape the bottom and edges of pan while stirring.
5. When slightly thickened, before it simmers, remove from heat and stir in the Worcestershire sauce and cheeses.
6. Stir until melted and smooth.  Stir in ground beef mixture.
7. Taste and add more seasonings if desired.  

Pasta

1. Cook the pasta, about a minute or two less than the package directions.
2. Drain and pour into baking pan.
3. Pour in cheese sauce and stir to combine.
4. Cover with foil and bake for about 30 minutes.  

Assemble & Bake

1. Stir together melted butter, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper.
2. Remove foil from pan and sprinkle on breadcrumbs.
3. Bake uncovered for another 20-30 minutes or until hot all the way through.
4. Should be at least 150-160 degrees in the center of the pan on an instant read thermometer.
5. If breadcrumbs are not browned to your liking, you can broil until browned. 

Topping

1. Stir together pickles and vegetables.
2. Serve with Cheeseburger Macaroni & Cheese.