Bacon Cheese Burger Skillet

This bacon cheese burger skillet is one of my all-time favorites to make and prepare quickly in the kitchen! If you’re on the hunt for an easy bacon cheese burger skillet for beginners, don’t pass this recipe up.

If you grew up eating Hamburger Helper, you’re likely familiar with this type of simple bacon cheese burger skillet meal. Only now, it’s possible to make it at home with your preferred ingredients. This is perfect if you enjoy having control over the ingredients you serve to your family or if you prefer skipping preservatives and unnecessary additives in many of the boxed meals available at supermarkets today.

So, if you’re in the mood for some classic comfort food while enjoying your favorite ingredients in a skillet, you’ll definitely want to try this simple bacon cheese burger skillet meal at home. Best of all, you can make this a family friendly bacon cheese burger skillet recipe by substituting or changing ingredients that suit your family’s tastes and preferences. You won’t want to skip this one, especially with the hearty and savory satisfaction it provides!

It’s so easy to make and loaded with flavor, making it the best bacon cheese burger skillet recipe!

It’s so good, it’s hard to resist multiple servings!

Ingredients:

8 oz. elbow macaroni

1 lb. lean ground beef

6-8 bacon strips, cooked, chopped

1 3/4 cups beef broth

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

4 tbsp ketchup

2-3 tsp cornstarch

2 cups shredded Colby jack cheese

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This recipe is extremely comforting and reminiscent of traditional Hamburger Helper meals (bacon cheeseburger skillet style).
• Most of the ingredients used in this quick bacon cheese burger skillet recipe can be found in the pantry and refrigerator!
• You can use this recipe as a satisfying and filling dinner, or you can make this as part of your meal prep strategy for the upcoming week.
• There are many variations that work well with this dish, especially if you’re searching for a healthy bacon cheese burger skillet version that suits your household’s dietary needs and/or preferences.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Lean ground beef: Keep this skillet meal healthy with lean beef (such as 90/10). You can also swap the ground beef for ground turkey to reduce grease and fat in this meal.

Bacon strips: Skip cooking your bacon in advance with pre-made cooked bacon.

Cornstarch: If you don’t have cornstarch readily available, try swapping it for arrowroot powder, rice flour, tapioca starch, or in some instances, traditional all-purpose, or AP flour. You can also try potato starch if you have it on hand.

Worcestershire sauce: If you do not currently have any Worcestershire sauce in your pantry, or you’re not a fan, try swapping the sauce for soy sauce, instead. In some instances, the use of coconut aminos works well, too.

Elbow macaroni: You can make this skillet dinner with shells if you do not have elbow macaroni in your pantry. A noodle that absorbs cheese and ingredients is best for this skillet dish!

How to Make It

Step 1. Cook your preferred noodles according to directions on package, until just al dente. Elbow noodles typically require between 8 and 12 minutes to cook through.

Step 2. In a deep skillet, brown ground beef. Drain the beef and return to pan. Browning adds major flavor to any dish–and with this recipe, you don’t want to miss out on any additional taste you can get! Always drain the grease when preparing a skillet meal to prevent an oily texture once the meal is ready to eat.

Step 3. Mix in your cooked noodles, bacon, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and cornstarch.

Step 4. Bring the skillet with your ingredients to a simmer. Allow the mix to simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently. You should allow this mix to simmer until the liquid is reduced, and your sauce begins to thicken.

Step 5. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in 1 ½ cups shredded cheese. Then, top with remaining cheese.

Step 6. Serve after allowing the dish to cool for approximately 10 minutes. This will ensure the flavors are blended and melded well together.

Enjoy!

Now, remember to save this recipe on Pinterest for later 🙂

Tips for Success

Some homemade bacon cheese burger skillet ideas include choosing a type of meat that’s perfect for your household and any dietary needs or restrictions you have. It’s also wise to gather and mix ingredients in advance before you begin browning your beef (or alternative meat) so you’re ready to add them in as needed.

Use freshly grated cheese whenever possible. Packaged, shredded cheese does not always melt properly, but it will typically work for this recipe.

Storage & Reheating

You can store leftovers of this cheeseburger skillet meal in airtight containers or Tupperware for up to 4 days in your refrigerator. It’s also possible to freeze individual portions in similar containers for up to 2 to 3 months.

Reheating this dish is a breeze. You can do so by heating your cheeseburger skillet meal in individual portions in microwave-safe bowls or containers for 2 to 3 minutes, per serving. It’s also possible to reheat this skillet meal directly on the stove over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes, once it is thawed or removed from your refrigerator.

Serving Suggestions

For a delicious side dish that’s out of this world, try our garlic bread or make your own easy homemade cheesy garlic breadsticks! If you’re still in the mood for a bread recipe but prefer a sweeter touch, try our homemade Amish sweet bread for something completely different. Don’t forget to butter it!

FAQs

Can I make this in advance?

You can make this recipe in advance, but you’ll need to store it properly in airtight containers in your refrigerator (up to 4 days) or freezer (up to 3 months).

Notes

This meal is perfect if you have kids at home or if you’re looking for a staple meal to add to your at-home menu or rotation. If you grew up with basic skillet meals, such as Hamburger Helper, this recipe is sure to leave you impressed and wanting more.