Cheesy Beef & Bacon Macaroni Casserole

1. Oven Set-Up

Position the oven rack in the middle and preheat the oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a 13 by 9-inch baking dish by spraying it with vegetable oil.

2. Pasta and Beef Layering

Distribute the macaroni evenly in the baking dish. Crumble the ground beef over the pasta, breaking it into ½-inch pieces, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Sauce Creation

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the water, tomato sauce, chopped dill pickles, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, brown sugar, garlic powder, and additional salt and pepper (½ teaspoon each). Pour this mixture over the macaroni and beef, stirring gently to ensure everything is well combined. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.

4. Initial Bake

Place the covered dish in the oven and bake for 25 minutes.

5. Bacon Prep

While the pasta bakes, lay the bacon on a microwave-safe plate and microwave until crisp, about 5 minutes. Once done, transfer the bacon onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain. After cooling slightly, crumble the bacon into ½-inch pieces.

6. Final Bake

After 25 minutes, remove the dish from the oven, uncover, and stir the macaroni mixture thoroughly, reaching the sides and bottom. Arrange the cheese slices over the top and sprinkle with the crumbled bacon. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and continue to bake until the macaroni is tender and the cheese has melted, which should take an additional 5 to 8 minutes.

7. Rest and Serve

Once baking is complete, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. If desired, garnish with chopped onion before serving.