The Ultimate Mac and Cheese Waffle Bacon Smash Burger

Welcome to the absolute pinnacle of comfort food. If you have ever found yourself torn between the creamy, rich indulgence of homemade macaroni and cheese and the savory, meaty satisfaction of a loaded bacon cheeseburger, this recipe is your ultimate culinary salvation. The Mac and Cheese Waffle Bacon Smash Burger is not just a meal; it is a profound culinary experience. By taking cold, creamy mac and cheese, pressing it in a hot waffle iron until the exterior transforms into a deeply golden, crispy crust, and using those savory waffles as buns for a double bacon smash burger, you are entering a new realm of flavor and texture.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through every single step of creating this viral sensation right in your own kitchen. From mastering the binding technique for the perfect macaroni waffle bun to achieving the ultimate crispy edges on your smash patties, no detail will be spared. Get ready to create a masterpiece that will have everyone at your dinner table absolutely speechless.

The Anatomy of the Perfect Waffle Burger

To truly understand the magic of this dish, we must break down its core components. A great burger is all about the interplay of textures and flavors. When you replace a traditional soft brioche bun with a crispy, cheesy waffle, the dynamic shifts entirely.

First, we have the Macaroni and Cheese Waffle Bun. The secret here is using leftover, chilled macaroni and cheese. When mac and cheese cools down, the starches congeal, making it easy to mold. By adding a simple binder of egg and a touch of flour or breadcrumbs, the mixture holds its shape perfectly when subjected to the intense heat of a waffle iron. The nooks and crannies of the waffle iron create maximum surface area for the cheese to caramelize, resulting in a crispy, crunchy exterior that yields to a soft, cheesy interior. This structural integrity is crucial for holding up to the juicy burger patties and heavy sauces.

Next is the Double Smash Burger. The smash technique is non-negotiable here. By smashing a ball of high-fat ground beef (ideally an 80/20 blend) onto a screaming hot cast-iron skillet, you trigger the Maillard reaction. This creates an incredibly savory, crispy, and deeply browned crust on the meat while locking the juices inside. Two thin patties provide an optimal meat-to-crust ratio, far superior to a single thick pub-style patty.

Finally, the Accoutrements. Thick-cut, applewood smoked bacon provides a necessary smoky crunch. High-quality American cheese or sharp cheddar draped over the patties ensures that gooey, melty texture. And tying it all together is a tangy, creamy secret burger sauce—a blend of mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, and spices—that cuts through the richness of the cheese and beef.

Essential Equipment for Success

Before diving into the ingredients, ensure your kitchen is equipped with the right tools to bring this masterpiece to life:

• Belgian Waffle Iron: A standard or Belgian waffle maker with deep pockets works best for creating the structural buns.
• Cast Iron Skillet or Griddle: Essential for retaining the high heat needed to properly sear and crust the smash burgers.
• Heavy Spatula and Burger Smasher: You need leverage to smash the beef patties flat. A stiff metal spatula paired with a heavy weight (or even the bottom of a smaller pan) works perfectly.
• Parchment Paper: Crucial for placing between the meat and the smasher to prevent sticking.
• Mixing Bowls and Whisks: For preparing the mac and cheese binder and the secret burger sauce.

Ingredients for the Mac and Cheese Waffle Bacon Burger

For the Mac and Cheese Waffles:

• 3 cups leftover, chilled macaroni and cheese (must be cold and firm)
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour or fine breadcrumbs (as a binder)
• Non-stick cooking spray or melted butter for the waffle iron

For the Smash Burgers:

• 1 lb ground beef (80% lean, 20% fat), divided into four 4-ounce portions
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 4 slices high-quality American cheese or mild cheddar
• 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil (like canola or avocado)

For the Fillings and Secret Sauce:

• 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• A dash of hot sauce (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Secret Burger Sauce

In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, paprika, and hot sauce. Whisk the ingredients together until completely smooth and unified in a light pinkish-orange color. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Allowing the sauce to chill for at least 30 minutes lets the flavors meld together beautifully.

Step 2: Cook the Bacon

You can cook the bacon in a skillet, but for the crispiest, most even results, bake it. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Lay the thick-cut bacon strips flat, ensuring they do not overlap. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until deeply golden and crispy. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess fat. Set aside.

Step 3: Mix the Waffle Batter

Take your chilled, leftover macaroni and cheese from the refrigerator and place it into a large mixing bowl. It is imperative that the mac and cheese is cold; warm mac and cheese will fall apart in the waffle iron. Add the lightly beaten eggs, the extra shredded cheddar cheese, and the flour (or breadcrumbs). Use your hands or a sturdy wooden spoon to mix everything together. The mixture should feel tacky and hold its shape when squeezed into a ball. If it feels too wet, add another tablespoon of flour.

Step 4: Cook the Mac and Cheese Waffles

Preheat your waffle iron to a medium-high setting. Once hot, generously coat both the top and bottom plates with non-stick cooking spray or brush with melted butter. Scoop about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the macaroni mixture into the center of the waffle iron (depending on the size of your machine). Close the lid firmly, pressing down slightly to spread the mixture. Let it cook undisturbed for 5 to 8 minutes. The exact time will vary based on your appliance, but you are looking for a deep, golden-brown crust. Carefully remove the waffle using a silicone spatula and transfer it to a wire cooling rack. Repeat this process to make at least 4 waffles (creating top and bottom buns for two burgers). Keep them warm in a low oven (200°F) if necessary.

Step 5: Smash the Burgers

Place your cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Allow it to get exceptionally hot—you should see a slight wisp of smoke. Lightly oil the surface. Place a 4-ounce ball of ground beef onto the hot skillet. Immediately place a square of parchment paper over the beef ball and use your heavy smasher or stiff spatula to press down with firm, even pressure until the patty is incredibly thin (about 1/4 inch thick). Remove the parchment paper. Season the exposed top generously with kosher salt and black pepper.

Step 6: Sear, Flip, and Melt

Allow the patty to cook undisturbed for about 90 seconds to 2 minutes. You want a dark, crispy crust to form on the bottom. Use your spatula to firmly scrape under the patty, ensuring you keep that beautiful crust attached to the meat, and flip it. Immediately place a slice of American cheese on top of the seared side. Cook for another 60 seconds until the bottom is cooked and the cheese is completely melted and drooping over the sides. Repeat the process for all patties.

Step 7: The Grand Assembly

Now, it is time to build your masterpiece. Take one warm, crispy mac and cheese waffle and place it on your plate. Generously slather the secret burger sauce all over the waffle. Place one cheese-covered smash patty on top of the sauce. Layer four crispy slices of bacon on top of the patty. Add the second cheese-covered smash patty. Drizzle more secret sauce over the top patty. Finally, crown the burger with the second mac and cheese waffle.

Pro Tips for the Ultimate Experience

Creating this massive burger requires attention to detail. Here are some expert tips to ensure success:

• The Mac and Cheese Matters: A thick, stovetop-style mac and cheese works better than a soupy, baked version. It needs structural integrity. Boxed mac and cheese can work, but you may need to add extra cheese and flour to make it bind properly.
• Don’t Over-mix the Beef: When portioning your ground beef into 4-ounce balls, handle the meat as little as possible. Packing it too tightly will result in a tough burger. You want the fat to render loosely for maximum juiciness.
• The Searing Surface: Never try to smash a burger on a non-stick pan. The meat needs to stick to the cast iron or stainless steel initially to build that essential crust.
• Resting is for Steaks, Not Smash Burgers: Serve these burgers immediately. The magic of a smash burger relies on the contrast between the hot, crispy edges and the melted cheese. Letting it sit will ruin the texture.

Creative Variations

While the classic bacon cheeseburger profile is phenomenal, you can easily customize this recipe to suit different cravings:

• Spicy Jalapeño Popper Burger: Mix diced pickled jalapeños into the mac and cheese waffle batter. Swap the American cheese for pepper jack, and add cream cheese and crispy fried jalapeños to the burger stack.
• BBQ Pulled Pork Waffle Sandwich: Skip the ground beef entirely. Load the crispy mac and cheese waffles with hot, slow-cooked pulled pork shoulder, tangy coleslaw, and a heavy drizzle of your favorite sweet and smoky barbecue sauce.
• Truffle Mushroom Swiss: Add a dash of truffle oil to your mac and cheese mixture before making the waffles. Top the smash burgers with sautéed wild mushrooms, caramelized onions, and melted Swiss cheese.

Serving Suggestions

Because this burger is incredibly rich, heavy, and calorically dense, you want to pair it with sides that offer contrast. A sharp, acidic side salad with a lemon vinaigrette can cut through the heavy fats of the cheese and beef. Alternatively, spicy dill pickles or pickled red onions served alongside provide a necessary palate cleanser.

For beverages, a crisp, cold pilsner or an icy, carbonated soda is the perfect pairing. The carbonation helps wash down the heavy, cheesy goodness.

Fun Facts: The Evolution of Extreme Comfort Food

The concept of replacing bread with other beloved foods is a relatively modern phenomenon, popularized by food trucks, state fairs, and social media platforms. The most famous early example was the KFC Double Down (using fried chicken as bread), which sparked a massive wave of culinary creativity.

The integration of the waffle iron into savory cooking has also exploded in recent years. Originally brought to America by Dutch colonists in the 1620s, the waffle iron was exclusively used for sweet, batter-based treats for centuries. Today, “waffling” everything from hashbrowns to falafel to leftover stuffing has become a beloved kitchen hack, proving that a crispy, grid-like texture improves almost any savory dish.

Conclusion

The Mac and Cheese Waffle Bacon Smash Burger is not a meal you make every day. It is a celebration of flavor, a fun weekend project, and a testament to the joy of cooking outside the box. By combining the nostalgic comfort of macaroni and cheese with the timeless appeal of a perfectly executed smash burger, you create an unforgettable dining experience. Gather your ingredients, fire up that cast-iron skillet, and prepare to indulge in one of the greatest homemade creations you will ever taste. Enjoy every single messy, cheesy, crispy bite!