Description
You know that moment when you can’t decide between a bacon cheeseburger, grilled cheese, or just saying “screw it” and making a casserole? Well, stop torturing yourself because this Bacon Cheeseburger Grilled Cheese Casserole is the answer to all your indecisive prayers. We’re talking layers of buttery bread, seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, and enough cheese to make Wisconsin weep with joy, all baked together into one glorious, comfort-food masterpiece. It’s like someone took your favorite diner order and turned it into something you can make at home without flipping individual sandwiches for an hour. My picky-eater kid took one look at this and said, “Is this real life?” Yes, honey. This is real life, and it’s beautiful.
Ingredients
For the Meat Situation:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend for maximum flavor)
- 8 strips thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Bread Foundation:
- 8–10 slices thick-cut bread (brioche or Texas toast work best)
- 4 tbsp butter, melted
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
For the Cheese Explosion:
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup American cheese, cubed or sliced
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
For the Egg Mixture Magic:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Finishing Touch:
- 2 tbsp butter, cubed
- Extra bacon crumbles
- Sliced pickles (optional but so good)
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
Cook your bacon until crispy and set aside to drain. Save about 2 tbsp of that bacon grease because we’re not wasteful here. In the same pan, cook the ground beef with diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Add garlic, Worcestershire, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes until everything smells amazing. Drain any excess grease and mix in the crumbled bacon.
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Cut your bread into 1-inch cubes. Toss them with melted butter and garlic powder until every piece is coated. Spread half the bread cubes in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
Spread the softened cream cheese over the bread cubes (it doesn’t have to be perfect). Add half the meat mixture, then sprinkle with half the cheddar and all the American cheese. Add the remaining bread cubes, then the rest of the meat mixture.
Whisk together eggs, milk, cream, Dijon mustard, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture evenly over the entire casserole. Press down gently with a spatula to make sure everything gets soaked.
If you have time, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the bread absorb all that eggy goodness. If not, no worries — we’re not judging your timeline here.
Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella over the top. Dot with cubed butter because we’re living our best life.
Bake for 45-50 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set. If it’s browning too fast, cover with foil for the last 15 minutes.
Let it rest for 10 minutes (hardest part of the whole recipe), then top with extra bacon crumbles, pickles if you’re using them, and green onions. Serve immediately while everyone’s still in shock.
Notes
This beast is a complete meal on its own, but a simple side salad helps cut through all that richness. Serve with ketchup, mustard, and maybe some hot sauce for people who like to live dangerously. A cold beer or glass of milk pairs perfectly with this comfort food madness.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~565 kcal
- Fat: ~35g
- Carbohydrates: ~32g
- Protein: ~28g