Around the Campfire
The bacon mac burger is a full campsite meal stacked onto a bun. It is rich, messy, kid-approved, and best for the night when a plain burger does not feel like enough.
Why This Recipe Works
The Blackstone handles the burger patties and toasted buns while the mac and cheese acts as a warm topping. Keeping the mac contained until assembly makes cleanup much easier.
Quick Facts
- Serves: 4
- Heat zone: Medium-high
- Best for: Big burger nights, comfort food dinners, hungry campers
- Teaches: Building loaded burgers without losing texture
Shopping List
- Ground beef
- Mac and cheese
- Bacon
- Burger buns
- Optional cheddar or burger sauce
Home Prep
Make mac and cheese ahead if desired and pack it cold. Cook bacon ahead for faster assembly.
Cooler Packing
Keep beef cold and below ready-to-eat foods. Keep mac and cheese and bacon in sealed containers.
Equipment
- Blackstone griddle
- Heavy spatula
- Scraper
- Tongs
- Instant-read thermometer
Heat Zones
Use medium-high for the patties, medium for bacon, and a cooler zone for buns.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
- 2 cups prepared mac and cheese
- 8 slices bacon, cooked
- 4 burger buns
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the griddle to medium-high.
- Toast 4 burger buns on a cooler zone until golden, then set aside.
- Form the 1 lb ground beef into 4 equal patties. Season both sides of patties with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Cook the burger patties until browned and the internal temperature reaches 160°F, about 4–5 minutes per side.
- Warm 2 cups prepared mac and cheese separately or on a cooler griddle zone in a pan until heated through.
- Reheat 8 slices cooked bacon on the griddle if needed.
- Place each cooked patty on a toasted bun, then top each with 2 slices bacon and a scoop of mac and cheese.
- Serve immediately.
Doneness
Ground beef should reach 160°F.
Common Mistakes
- Putting mac and cheese directly on the hot griddle.
- Overloading the burger until it cannot be held.
- Toasting buns too early.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with pickles, chips, fruit, or a simple salad. Add cheddar cheese, burger sauce, or BBQ sauce if desired.
Variations
- Add extra cheddar.
- Use BBQ sauce.
- Make smaller slider versions.
Dietary Adaptations
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free buns and mac.
- Dairy-free: Use dairy-free mac and skip cheese toppings.
- Low-carb: Serve as a burger bowl without the bun or mac.
Scaling
Cook patties in batches and top each burger just before serving.
Weather Notes
Cool weather helps this burger hold together better than hot weather.
Leftovers
Use leftover patties and mac in bowls or breakfast hash.
Kid Helper Tasks
Kids can set buns, bacon, and toppings away from the hot griddle.
Dragonfly Tip
Treat mac and cheese like a topping, not a sauce. A small scoop is enough.
Dragonfly Challenge
Make one regular burger and one bacon mac burger. Vote on whether the upgrade earns a repeat.