Cheesy Oven-Baked Bacon Macaroni Surprise

Ingredients

- 8 oz ground beef
- 8 oz chicken breast, cubed
- 4 strips of bacon, diced
- 4 oz sausage, crumbled
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup cabbage, shredded
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 pound macaroni pasta
- 1 cup frozen mixed veggies
- 1/2 cup peas
- 1 teaspoon mixed spices (your choice)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 lemon, sliced

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.

3. Prepare the Bacon and Sausage:
In a large oven-safe skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add diced bacon and crumbled sausage. Cook until bacon is crispy and sausage is browned, about 5–7 minutes. Remove and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.

4. Cook the Chicken and Beef:
In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté cubed chicken and ground beef until fully cooked and browned, about 8–10 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.

5. Add Vegetables and Seasoning:
Add broccoli, cabbage, frozen mixed veggies, peas, and shredded lettuce to the meat mixture. Stir in mixed spices, paprika, salt, black pepper, and brown sugar. Cook for 5 minutes until all vegetables are tender.

6. Create the Cheese Sauce:
In a small saucepan, heat remaining olive oil over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour, cooking for 1–2 minutes to make a roux. Slowly whisk in 2 cups of water, stirring constantly until thickened. Add lime juice and half of the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

7. Combine and Bake:
Add cooked pasta and cheese sauce to the skillet with meats and vegetables. Stir in remaining cheddar cheese, Parmesan, chopped cilantro, and bacon-sausage mix. Mix well to combine.

8. Bake:
Place skillet in preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.

9. Garnish and Serve:
Remove from oven. Let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with lemon slices and extra cilantro. Serve warm and enjoy this delightful combination of flavors.

Preparation Time

PT15M
15 minutes

Cooking Time

PT50M
50 minutes

Total Time

PT1H5M
1 hour 5 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Oven-Baked, Macaroni, Cheese, Bacon, Dinner Recipe, Easy Dinner, Comfort Food, Pasta Dish, Vegetable Bake, Family Meal

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total: 2850 calories

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