If you love the iconic Big Mac, then you’re going to be obsessed with this Big Mac Macaroni and Cheese! It’s a delicious mash-up of two favorite comfort foods—the rich, creamy goodness of macaroni and cheese meets the iconic flavors of the Big Mac burger. This over-the-top, cheesy dish is perfect for anyone who loves a little twist on the classics, and it’s sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike.
Big Mac flavors and macaroni and cheese collide in this Big Mac macaroni and cheese. It is a cheesy macaroni and cheese that is topped with a mix of special sauce, ground beef, and Big Mac toppings! A simple but easy dinner idea that is great for those busy weeknights. If you love a good Big Mac from McDonald’s then this Big Mac pasta dish is right up your alley. My kiddo and husband go crazy for this combination. It is a total comfort food down to the last drops on your plate.
Now, make sure to check out my Big Mac smash tacos and my Big Mac cups. Both are full of flavors that you will devour in a hurry.
What Exactly Is Big Mac Macaroni and Cheese
Big Mac (meat and toppings) paired with a bed of homemade macaroni and cheese. It is a pasta-based dish that you will love for sure if you enjoy cheese and ground beef.
Reasons People Rave Over This Recipe
- This recipe came about via social media. It was the latest and hottest recipe that paired two favorites and made one epic meal in one.
- If you are a fan of McDonald’s and their famous Big Mac sandwich then you will love the twist on the recipe.
- A total comfort food recipe that is a stick-to-your-bones type of dish. From cheesy flavor to savory beef in each bite.
- Easy to make, and a fun and creative presentation value for your family and friends.
- Kid-friendly ingredients are used so even little ones might love this recipe.
Ingredients Needed
Here is a quick look at what you will need for this recipe. Full measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Pasta – I used elbow macaroni for this, as that is the traditional pasta for mac and cheese. It is a carb-rich shaped pasta that is the perfect complement to the dish.
Milk – So you can use whole milk for the richest flavor to make the sauce for your macaroni and cheese. You will find it creates the creamiest texture.
Cheese – American cheese and cheddar cheese are both used for the recipe. This is for sure a cheese-lover-style recipe.
Dressing – Thousand Island dressing is the “secret” sauce to this recipe. Sweet, tangy, and the perfect compliment to the ground beef and cheesy pasta.
Beef – Ground beef is used to create the ground meat that you add on top of the dish.
Seasonings – Salt, pepper, and garlic powder are used for flavoring the meat mixture as you cook it up.
Onion, Tomato, Lettuce – Sliced and used to add the classic flavors of a Big Mac to the mixture. I prefer shredded iceberg lettuce for the traditional flavor of the burger.
Variations To Recipe
Boxed Mac and Cheese – Don’t want to make homemade mac and cheese? Go right ahead and buy any brand of mac and cheese you want or shells and cheese.
Meat – Ground turkey, ground chicken, or even pork can be used to swap out the ground beef. Just know that the beef is the traditional flavor from McDonald’s. You could even use diced chicken or make chicken nuggets or chicken strips and dice up and mix in with the vegetables and sauce. There are endless options here.
Light Dressing – Want to lower the heaviness of the dish, then reach for a light Thousand Island dressing instead of a full fat. You can also use other lighter ingredients where you feel it might fit.
Toppings – Lettuce, tomatoes, and onions are the traditional options, but you can leave or add to it. Maybe you want some pickles or other burger-toping-style ingredients. Go right ahead. Even consider adding some cooked chopped bacon for another option of meat in addition to the beef.
Seasonings – Want to season your meat a bit differently? Use a little taco seasoning or your favorite blend of spices. Season the meat as it is cooking so you get the most flavor. If you use taco seasoning add to the end with a bit of water to help the spices soak into the meat as you normally would.
Storing Leftovers
Feel free to store the leftovers in the fridge for 2-3 days. I find that storing the macaroni and cheese in one container and the meat mixture in another is best. I also will say if you don’t plan to eat it all maybe keep the veggies out of the meat mixture until right before serving. The vegetables will soften and wilt causing the leftovers to be of less quality.
Due to the ingredients in the Big Mac pasta recipe I recommend not freezing any of the leftovers. You will find the texture and flavor will not be the same once frozen and thawed.
Tips For Recipe
Drain the Beef
Once you fully cook your ground beef, I recommend to drain off any excess grease on the meat. This will help not upset your stomach with the excess grease in the pan.
Cook Meat While Cooking Pasta
You will multi-task for sure with this recipe. I recommend as your pasta is cooking to have another skillet going brown your beef. Then you can prepping the veggies and such in between stirring the meat.
Dressing
So the dressing is rich in flavor, and if you want go lighter on the dressing. Then taste and see if it is too much, and if you feel you want more flavor then add more dressing. It is easier to start adding less than trying to add more ingredients to cover the richness of the dressing.
What makes this Big Mac Mac and Cheese so irresistible? It’s all about that combination of savory beef, tangy pickles, special sauce, lettuce and i even added tomatoes and of course, lots of melty cheese. The base is a creamy macaroni and cheese, which gets a kick from seasoned ground beef, pickles, onions, and a drizzle of special sauce that takes it to the next level. It’s like eating a Big Mac in a whole new way, and trust me, it’s just as delicious (if not more!) than the original.
The best part about this dish is how easy it is to make. You cook your macaroni, then prepare a quick cheese sauce, and cook up some seasoned ground beef. Mix it all together, add the pickles and onions, and top it off with a layer of cheese to melt in the oven. You can have a piping hot, Big Mac-inspired casserole ready in no time—and it’s a total crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re hosting a game day party, looking for a fun family dinner, or craving something indulgent, this recipe hits the spot every time.
Serve Warm
This is one pasta recipe that is best served hot and fresh. You will find the lettuce and even tomatoes will soften a bit from the heat of the meat mixture and the hot pasta. So if you can once you assemble serve this dish right away.
Customize To Taste
You can alter the ingredients used and add more flavors if you prefer. Even sprinkling sesame seeds on top, or adding red pepper flakes for a kick of heat. You are more than welcome to alter the recipe to fit your preference.
The combination of the creamy mac and cheese with the flavorful beef and tangy toppings is a winning combo. You get that satisfying cheesiness we all love, with a bit of crunch from the pickles and onions, and that unmistakable Big Mac flavor in every bite. It’s comforting, nostalgic, and totally irresistible. Plus, it’s a great way to take a fast food favorite and turn it into something homemade and just as delicious!
FAQs
Is this dish suitable for a party or potluck?
Sure, you can make the mac and cheese and Big Mac recipe for a party or potluck event. I just recommend not adding the meat mixture with the vegetables until right before serving, as the lettuce will wilt down after a bit once it is hot.
Can I add pickles to this dish for the authentic Big Mac taste?
Go right ahead and top with some hamburger pickles. Or finely chop them and mix in with the tomatoes and lettuce mixture for a more spread-out mixture of the pickles.
Are there any alternative dressings I can use instead of Thousand Island?
So for this recipe, you could try a Russian dressing for a somewhat similar flavor. You will find that is about the closest I imagine you could come to Thousand Island dressing. Feel free to play around and find what works best for you.
More Ground Beef Dinner Ideas
Big Mac Macaroni And Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni pasta
- 2 cups milk whole or full fat
- 10 slices American cheese unwrapped (2 slices diced small and set aside)
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese sharp, shredded
- 1 cup Thousand Island Dressing
- ½ pound Beef ground, lean
- 1 tsp each Salt Pepper and Garlic Powder
- ½ Onion diced
- 1 Tomato diced and deseeded
- 2 cups Lettuce (iceberg), shredded
- 1/3 cup diced pickles
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions but stopping 3-4 minutes short of cooking time.
- Meanwhile, to a large, tall-sided skillet, add the beef, onion, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Sauté until the beef is browned thoroughly and onions are translucent.
- Remove the beef mixture to a plate to cool slightly.
- Using the same large skillet over medium heat, add the drained pasta, whole milk, 8 slices of cheese broken up, cheddar cheese and dressing. Stir to combine and let the cheeses melt.
- Bring to a simmer and let the flavors cook together and the sauce to thicken, about 4 – 5 minutes.
- Place the macaroni mixture on to a large platter and top with the lettuce, beef, pickles, tomatoes and diced American cheese if you wish. Add extra dressing drizzled over top if you wish. Serve and enjoy!
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