If you read this blog often, you may have noticed that I’ve been writing about a lot of different things lately. There are a few reasons for this:
Anyway, I wrote yesterday about the Calendula flower and why you should grow it (because it’s pretty, tastes good, and you should have it in your medicine cabinet). Now that I’ve got your attention, why don’t you skip to today’s post about an easy and tasty breakfast treat?
This morning when I woke up, I think the first thing that went through my mind was bacon. Okay, easy enough. I can do that. Let me just play with Oliver and then flip through Facebook for a bit before getting started.
That’s when I saw three (yes, three!) online breakfast recipes that were very much the same: Baked Eggs with Spinach and Bacon. Oh H*#& Yes! THAT sounds great!.
Okay, I said that I’m not working at full capacity in my kitchen right now. That means I’m trying to keep the cleanup from cooking and baking to a minimum, and I’m always looking for quick ways to do things in the kitchen. Having said that, all three recipes told me to cook the bacon first and then put it in the ramekin for the “mini-casserole.”
There were a lot of recipes online that were very similar, but I couldn’t find one that said to cook the bacon in the “mini-casserole.” Are you familiar with that term? Hmmm.
Then, the phone rang. A good friend and neighbor and I talked for a while, and I told her about my Some people may cook the bacon ahead of time if they want it crispy and if they don’t want any grease.
Yes, I also want crispy bacon. But grease? Well, if you read my most recent post about healthy fats, you know that I’m okay with a little bacon grease. I welcome it when it comes from a good pig. (And if you don’t want to welcome it, why not just pour the grease off the top? Wouldn’t it rise?!).
Now I’m going into the kitchen to make a huge mess since I don’t have a sink or countertops, but I HAD to figure this out. Along with making a cute little “mini-casserole” in a ramekin, I was determined to cook the rest of the bacon at the same time. Again, I’m all about saving time in my kitchen!.
Holy Moly, YES!!! It was soooo good. I will definitely be making this again soon. Next time, I’ll add tomatoes…yum! The bacon was just right! I think the key is to leave it on top before adding the cheese and egg.
Oh, and as for the grease…yes, there was about 1 teaspoon of grease that came to the top. I didn’t mind that it was there, but I thought it might be a good idea to pour it off. Nope, I just leaned it over my trashcan and out it went.
There’s nothing quite as comforting as pulling a bubbly cheesy casserole out of the oven. Casseroles are a longtime favorite for potlucks and family dinners thanks to their simplicity and crowd-pleasing flavors. And what makes a casserole even better? The addition of crispy salty bacon bits, of course!
Bacon adds great texture and flavor to all kinds of casserole recipes, from breakfast strata to chicken divan But getting that bacon just right in your casserole can be tricky. Undercooked bacon leaves you with limp, rubbery pieces in your dish But overcooked bacon results in crispy burnt bits.
So how do you get beautifully cooked bacon in casserole dishes? Read on for tips and techniques to help bacon cook perfectly in your next baked casserole recipe!
Does Raw Bacon Cook Well in Casseroles?
You may be tempted to simply chop up raw bacon and mix it into your casserole ingredients before baking. But beware – raw bacon doesn’t always cook evenly when baked in casseroles. The moisture in the other ingredients can prevent the bacon from crisping up properly.
Bacon contains a high moisture content – around 37% water. In order to get crispy bacon, the moisture needs to be cooked out slowly over gentle heat. When surrounded by lots of other wet ingredients in a casserole, it’s difficult for the bacon to get crispy.
So while it may seem convenient to bake chopped raw bacon right in the casserole, it often remains limp and soggy this way. Pre-cooking the bacon before adding it to your casserole helps render out that moisture and gives you nice, crispy bits of bacon.
Should You Cook Bacon Before Adding to Casserole?
Yes, cooking bacon before mixing it into a casserole dish is the best way to end up with perfect, crispy bacon flavor in every bite. Here are some tips for pre-cooking bacon for casseroles:
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Fry or bake bacon slices until crispy, then chop or crumble them into smaller pieces to mix into your casserole ingredients.
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Cook chopped bacon in a skillet over medium heat until browned and rendered, then drain on paper towels before adding to your casserole.
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Microwave chopped bacon on a plate lined with paper towels for 2-3 minutes until crispy.
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Add bacon pieces to a cold casserole dish, then bake the entire dish until the bacon is cooked. This allows the bacon to render slowly.
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Top a casserole with whole bacon strips during the last 10-15 minutes of baking so they get crispy.
No matter which method you use, cooking the bacon separately before combining it with other ingredients is crucial for getting that perfect crunch you expect with every bite.
How Should You Chop or Slice Bacon for Casseroles?
The size of the bacon pieces affects how crispy they’ll get and how they’re distributed in the casserole. Consider these guidelines when chopping bacon for your casserole:
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Small bacon bits just 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch in size will get cripsy and cling to pasta or other ingredients.
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Larger 1-inch bacon pieces will have more chew and add bigger bursts of bacon flavor.
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Chopped bacon works well mixed throughout casseroles.
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Cut bacon into thin strips or lardons to top casseroles attractively.
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Use whole bacon slices layered over the top of casseroles so they hold their shape better during baking.
Get creative with sizes – try mixing small crispy bacon bits into the dish with some larger strips layered over the top for visual appeal.
What’s the Best Type of Bacon for Casserole Dishes?
You can use any type of bacon you love in casseroles, but leaner bacon varieties work especially well.
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Center-cut bacon has less fat, so the bacon bits will be crisper.
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Turkey bacon is great for lighter casseroles.
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Canadian bacon adds excellent flavor without as much grease.
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Prosciutto baked on top makes a nice crunchy garnish.
Avoid super thick, heavily smoked bacon slices, which may not fully crisp up during baking. And if you do use regular breakfast bacon, be sure to drain the fat after cooking.
Top Tips to Keep in Mind When Adding Bacon to Casseroles
Follow these tips for successfully cooking with bacon in all your favorite casserole recipes:
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Always pre-cook bacon before adding to casserole ingredients.
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Let fried bacon drain on paper towels before mixing it in to remove excess grease.
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Crumble bacon into smaller bits for better distribution of flavor.
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Add bacon to a cold casserole dish for even cooking if baking it right in the pan.
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Stir bacon pieces gently to avoid breaking them up further.
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Sprinkle big bacon pieces over the top of a casserole for texture.
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Bake an uncovered casserole to help bacon crisp up. Add a foil tent if bacon browns too fast.
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Cook casseroles with bacon at 350°F to keep the bacon from burning.
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Check for doneness after 15 minutes when baking bacon directly in a casserole.
With the right techniques, you can easily get perfectly cooked, crispy bacon in your next breakfast strata, chicken ranch casserole, or cheesy baked pasta dish. Pre-cooking the bacon is key, whether you fry it up or bake it ahead of time. Plus, chopping the bacon into smaller pieces helps the flavor distribute throughout the dish.
Next time a recipe calls for bacon, don’t hesitate to sprinkle it into casseroles for the best savory crunch and salty flavor in every bite. Just follow these tips, and you’ll have bacon casserole perfection!
Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Rice Casserole for a hearty, quick and easy dinner! Simple ingredients!
FAQ
How long does bacon take to cook in the oven?
How do you keep bacon from splattering in the oven?
Is it better to bake bacon at 350 or 400?
How long should I cook bacon in the oven at 375 degrees?
What to eat with bacon potato casserole?
Bacon Potato Casserole is a delicious side dish that is packed with flavor with it’s layers of bacon, potatoes, and cheese. Learn how to make this recipe easily for a special side dish that’s sure to please. I like to serve this alongside a hearty main dish like ham or roast. It also pairs well with green beans or broccoli.
Can one eat bacon with diverticulosis?
You can eat bacon with diverticulosis, but it is not the most recommended. In a person with diverticulosis, it is recommended to consume foods with soluble fiber such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.
What is chicken bacon ranch casserole?
Chicken bacon ranch casserole is a baked pasta dish that combines tender chicken, smoky bacon, and zesty ranch seasoning. It is a crowd-pleasing favorite family dinner that is easy to make and ready in about 45 minutes. This casserole is a weeknight winner that your family will beg for every single night!
What goes well with chicken bacon ranch casserole?
Here are a few side dishes that go well with this chicken bacon ranch casserole: Salad: Pair the casserole with an Arugula Salad, Green Salad or Fruit Salad. Vegetables: Try Roasted Brussels Sprouts or Glazed Carrots. Bread: Dinner Rolls and Drop Biscuits both go well with this casserole. Looking for more comforting casserole recipes for dinner?