Get ready to have your mind blown! If you love a good cheeseburger, the smoky goodness of bacon, and the ultimate comfort of mac and cheese, then you're in for a treat. We're talking about the ultimate culinary mashup: Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Stuffed Onion Bombs. This isn't just a meal; it's an experience, a symphony of savory flavors and textures that will have everyone asking for seconds.
What Are Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Stuffed Onion Bombs?
Imagine a large, sweet onion, meticulously hollowed out to create the perfect edible bowl. Inside, we layer a seasoned ground beef patty, crispy, salty bacon bits, and the creamiest, dreamiest macaroni and cheese you can imagine. Everything is then baked or grilled until the onion is tender, the beef is juicy, and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
It's essentially all your favorite indulgent foods wrapped into one glorious, flavor-packed package. Perfect for game day, a backyard BBQ, or just a truly epic family dinner. This recipe takes comfort food to a whole new level!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Unforgettable Flavor: The combination of sweet onion, savory beef, smoky bacon, and rich mac and cheese is simply divine.
- Visually Impressive: These 'bombs' look incredible on a plate and are sure to impress your guests.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the cheese, seasonings, or add-ins to suit your taste.
- Hearty & Satisfying: This is a substantial meal that will leave everyone feeling happily full.
Key Ingredients You'll Need
You'll find the full ingredient list with precise measurements in the recipe card below, but here's a quick look at the stars of the show:
- Large Onions: Sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla work best.
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef (80/20) is ideal for flavor and juiciness.
- Bacon: Crispy bacon adds essential smoky flavor and crunch.
- Mac and Cheese: Your favorite creamy mac and cheese. Homemade is best, but a good quality boxed version can work in a pinch.
- Cheese: Extra shredded cheddar or your favorite melty cheese for topping.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a touch of smoked paprika.
How to Make Stuffed Onion Bombs
Prepping Your Onions
The first step is to carefully prepare your onions. This involves slicing off the top, peeling, and then scooping out the inner layers to create a sturdy shell. Don't discard those inner layers; they can be chopped and added to the beef mixture or saved for another recipe!
The Filling: Beef, Bacon, and Mac & Cheese
Next, you'll mix your seasoned ground beef with some of the chopped onion, form patties, and cook your bacon until perfectly crispy. The mac and cheese should be prepared separately until creamy and delicious. A little extra cheese helps bind everything together and makes it extra gooey.
Assembling Your Onion Bombs
Layering is key! Start with a beef patty at the bottom of the onion, then a generous spoonful of mac and cheese, followed by crispy bacon bits. Repeat layers until the onion is full, topping with more cheese for that irresistible golden crust. It's like building your own edible treasure!
Baking or Grilling to Perfection
These onion bombs can be baked in the oven or cooked on the grill for an extra smoky flavor. If you're a grilling enthusiast, a good quality grill can make all the difference for even cooking and perfect char. I highly recommend checking out My Favorite Grill for consistently delicious results. Whether you bake or grill, the goal is tender onions and a perfectly cooked, cheesy interior.
Tips for Success
- Choose Large Onions: Smaller onions won't hold enough filling.
- Don't Overstuff: Leave a little room for expansion and melting cheese.
- Pre-cook Beef Patties: This ensures the beef is cooked through without overcooking the onion.
- Season Generously: Onions mellow out a lot when cooked, so don't be shy with seasonings.
- Serve Immediately: These are best enjoyed hot and fresh out of the oven or off the grill.
Serving Suggestions
While these Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Stuffed Onion Bombs are a meal in themselves, you can serve them with a simple side salad to cut through the richness or with a side of extra barbecue sauce or ranch for dipping. They also pair wonderfully with a cold beer or your favorite soda!
Ready to dive into this epic creation? Let's get cooking!
FAQs
What exactly are Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Stuffed Onion Bombs?
They're a creative, indulgent dish where a hollowed-out large onion is stuffed with a seasoned ground beef patty, crispy bacon, and creamy macaroni and cheese, then baked or grilled to perfection.
Can I prepare these onion bombs ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the onion bombs a day in advance and store them covered in the refrigerator. Just add about 10-15 minutes to the cooking time if baking from cold, ensuring the internal temperature of the beef reaches 160u00b0F (71u00b0C).
What kind of onions work best for this recipe?
Large, firm yellow or sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla are ideal because they are sturdy enough to hold the stuffing and mellow out beautifully when cooked, providing a fantastic edible casing.
Can I cook these on a grill instead of baking them?
Absolutely! Grilling adds a wonderful smoky flavor. Wrap each onion bomb in heavy-duty foil and grill over indirect medium heat for about 45-60 minutes, or until the onion is tender and the beef is cooked through. You can even finish them uncovered for a few minutes for a slightly charred exterior.
Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Stuffed Onion Bombs
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes - 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Indulgent
Description
An epic, flavor-packed dish featuring seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, and creamy mac and cheese, all tucked inside a tender, baked or grilled onion.
Ingredients
4 large sweet onions (Vidalia or Walla Walla)
1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cups prepared macaroni and cheese (creamy, not dry)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, plus extra for topping
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Onions. Slice off the top 1/4 inch from each onion and peel the outer layer. Carefully hollow out the center of each onion, leaving a 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick shell. Chop the scooped-out onion flesh and set aside about 1/2 cup for the beef mixture.
Step 2: Preheat Oven/Grill. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) or prepare your grill for indirect medium heat (if grilling, wrap each bomb in foil).
Step 3: Cook the Beef. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, 1/2 cup chopped onion, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Form into 4 equal patties. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear each beef patty for 2-3 minutes per side, just to brown. They will finish cooking inside the onions.
Step 4: Assemble the Onion Bombs. Drizzle the inside of each hollowed onion shell with olive oil and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Place one seared beef patty into the bottom of each onion. Top with 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, followed by half of the prepared mac and cheese (approx. 1/2 cup). Sprinkle with crumbled bacon. Repeat with another layer of mac and cheese and a final sprinkle of cheddar cheese.
Step 5: Bake or Grill. Place the stuffed onions in a baking dish or on a grill-safe tray. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the onions are very tender and the internal temperature of the beef reaches 160°F (71°C). If grilling, cook for 45-60 minutes over indirect heat.
Step 6: Serve. Remove from oven or grill and let rest for a few minutes before serving hot. Enjoy your Loaded Bacon Mac Cheeseburger Stuffed Onion Bombs!
Notes
For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the mac and cheese. Ensure onions are fully tender before serving for the best texture. You can also mix a little cream cheese into the mac and cheese for extra richness.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 onion bomb
- Calories: 750 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 50g
- Saturated Fat: 25g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
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