This is the epic Bacon Macaroni and Cheese BBQ Blue Burger recipe from Dustin Harder’s new cookbook, Epic Vegan: Wild and Over-the-Top Plant-based Recipes. It's a burger that is meatless, dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free, and over-the-top delicious!Advance condiment prep recommended. Links to all of the Bacon Mac and Cheese BBQ Blue Burger recipes can be found on the page and in the recipe below.
In a medium bowl, combine the shells and cheese with the bacon bits and hemp parmesan until they are well distributed; set aside.
Place ¼ cup (about 14 g) lettuce on a bottom bun, top with 1 burger, ¼ of the blue cheese, 2 slices tomato, and 2 slices onion. Top with a second bottom bun and add 2 strips bacon (if using) and 3 pickle chips. Top with ½ cup (110 g) shells mixture and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) BBQ sauce, followed by a top bun.
For an epic presentation, plunge a steak knife into the middle of the burger.
Notes
Author’s note: You don’t have to go to a silly chain restaurant to have a burger that’s taller than your pint of beer; I’ve got you covered! Don’t be discouraged by the make-ahead items in this recipe; I encourage you to go for it and make them all from scratch because it’s super rewarding. Make the Easy Creamy Shells and Cheese for dinner one night, then use the leftovers for this sandwich to get the most use of the Mac recipe (and also be prepared)! I also applaud you if you want to go out and buy items at the store—there’s no shame in that game. The end result is just as enjoyable, no matter if you build it from the ground up or rely on some readymade vegan products.Tip: There are vegan macaroni and cheese brands available for purchase in stores these days, which make it so much easier to tackle this recipe epic style. Take it a step further and purchase your burgers from astore as well and you are halfway to epic already! To make some quick strips of veggie bacon at home, use a vegetable peeler to create thin strips of carrot. Fry them in a little oil over medium heat in a skillet until desired doneness. The sides will get dark and curl up like bacon. Sprinkle with some smoked sea salt for that extra touch!