Cheesy Ground Beef & Bacon Casserole

 Cheesy Ground Beef & Bacon Casserole:

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 medium onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom or cream of cheddar soup

1 cup sour cream

1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

2 cups cooked pasta (elbow macaroni or penne)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Cook the Ground Beef:

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles. Drain excess grease.

3. Sauté Onion and Garlic:

Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook until the onion becomes soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

4. Cook the Bacon:

While the beef mixture is cooking, fry the bacon in a separate pan until crispy. Let it cool, then crumble it into pieces and set aside.

5. Prepare the Sauce:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom (or cheddar) soup, sour cream, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well.

6. Combine Ingredients:

Add the cooked pasta, ground beef mixture, and half of the crumbled bacon to the sauce. Stir everything together until well combined.

7. Assemble the Casserole:

Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour the mixture into the dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top.

8. Bake:

Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.

9. Garnish and Serve:

Remove from the oven and sprinkle the remaining crumbled bacon on top. Let it cool slightly before serving

Tips:

Add vegetables like peas, bell peppers, or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition.

Serve with a side of garlic bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Enjoy this creamy, cheesy comfort food! Let me know how it turns out.