Bacon Cheeseburger Chili Mac & Cheese

I ran across this recipe somewhere in blogland - I'm not sure where. It is adapted from a Rachael Ray recipe. I enjoyed it, but the hubby told me it tastes like Hamburger Helper. Thanks, hon! Anyway, I've never had hamburger helper, but I have to say this has to be better. :)

Bacon Cheeseburger Chili Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:
6 slices of bacon (cut up)
1 lb ground beef
1 onion, finely chopped
2 T chili powder
2 T garlic powder
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup yellow mustard
1-2 cups beef stock (I used a can of chicken stock)
1 lb whole wheat pasta
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp yellow cheddar (I used colby jack)

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp. Drain off most of the grease, leaving about 1/2 tsp or so. Add meat and onion and cook until browned. Drain grease.

Return meat to skillet. Add the chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir in ketchup, mustard and beef stock. Bring to a bubble and simmer until slightly thickened, 4-5 minutes.

Salt the boiling water and add pasta. Cook to al dente, according to directions on the package. Drain thoroughly and return it to the pot.

Add the chili mixture and the bacon to the pot with pasta. Mix everything good. Transfer to a casserole dish and top with shredded cheese. Bake 25 minutes until cheese is melted and golden brown.