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Cheesy Beef and Bacon Bake

A warm, tasty dish mixing browned beef, crispy bacon, and melty cheese, perfect for family nights or potlucks.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 6 to 8 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup frozen corn or 1 cup chopped bell pepper (optional) Choose one or the other, optional
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (optional) Optional for extra cheesiness
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon salt Adjust to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large skillet, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan.
  3. Add olive oil if needed, then cook chopped onion in the skillet until soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  4. Add ground beef, salt, pepper, and oregano. Cook and stir until beef is browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
  5. Stir in drained diced tomatoes and corn or bell pepper if using. Cook for 2 minutes to warm.
  6. Turn off the heat. Stir in sour cream and half of the cheddar and mozzarella. Mix well.
  7. Pour the beef mix into a baking dish. Sprinkle the reserved crispy bacon on top and then add the rest of the cheddar and mozzarella.
  8. Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  9. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Cook bacon until crisp for nice texture; drain excess fat from beef to prevent greasiness. Mix cheeses for best melt and flavor; let dish rest after baking for easier slicing. For lower salt content, skip added salt and use low-sodium bacon or cheese. Great leftovers that warm up well.