40 Recipes With Bacon, From Breakfast Casseroles to Creamy Carbonara

This salty, savory ingredient has found its way into a variety of recipes.

Bacon Pasta with Cheese Sauce — Credit:
Linda Pugliese

Bacon is one of the most versatile cuts of meat, making everything taste better. Its fatty, smoky flavor adds the perfect savory touch to pasta, vegetables, breakfast casseroles, and more. If you have only a few leftover strips from breakfast, don't worry—we've got recipes that use as few as three strips to enhance the flavor. Ahead, we're sharing our best bacon recipes for any time of day.

01 of 40

Cheese and Bacon Quiche

Bacon Cheese Quiche — Brie Goldman

Our cheese and bacon quiche is the perfect dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It can be made ahead and served cold or at room temperature. Its simple yet delicious custard filling includes bacon, Gruyère cheese, and onions.

02 of 40

Devils on Horseback

Devil's on Horseback — Rachel Marek

A go-to appetizer for any occasion, devils on horseback are bite-sized dates stuffed with blue cheese, wrapped in bacon, and baked to perfection. We prefer serving them with a cocktail or glass of sparkling wine.

03 of 40

Slow-Cooker Bacon Jam

Slow cooker bacon jam — John Kernick

A bacon lover's dream condiment. Use this sweet and savory spread on everything from burgers to a warm, toasted baguette. This slow-cooker version starts on the stovetop to crisp up the bacon. You can store this jam in the fridge for up to four weeks, or it makes an excellent host gift.

04 of 40

Bacon, Egg, and Toast Cups

Line white sliced bread in a muffin tin, fill it with an egg and a slice of bacon and pop it in the oven for a delicious, on-the-go breakfast.

05 of 40

Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Baked French Toast

bacon egg and cheese baked french toast — Johnny Miller

The ideal recipe for those who can never decide between French Toast or classic eggs and bacon for breakfast. It's convenient to prepare the night before and bake in the morning to feed a crowd.

06 of 40

Bacon Pancakes

bacon pancakes on plate — John Kernick

The ultimate duo—buttermilk pancakes and crispy bacon. Start by cooking your bacon as usual, then add a couple of strips to the skillet, top with batter, and flip.

07 of 40

Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes

Bacon-wrapped potatoes are a foolproof appetizer or side dish. To serve as an appetizer, leave the toothpicks in to keep the bacon secured and allow guests to easily pick them up.

08 of 40

Bacon and Spinach Quiche

spinach bacon quiche — Bryan Gardner

This bacon and spinach quiche is the best of both worlds for fans of quiche Lorraine and Florentine.

09 of 40

Old-Fashioned German Potato Salad

German Potato Salad — Kelsey Hansen

Old-fashioned German potato salad is different from the usual potato salad that is served cold at summer barbecues. It's served warm with crispy bits of bacon, sweet onions, and topped with a tangy vinegar sauce.

10 of 40

Kapusniak (Polish Cabbage-and-Bacon Soup)

pork cabbage soup with bread — Christopher Testani

This traditional Polish soup makes a cozy, comforting meal packed with bacon, spare ribs, Savoy cabbage, sauerkraut, and potatoes.

11 of 40

Pork Chops With Bacon and Cabbage

Seared pork chops baked in a creamy cabbage and bacon sauce are a delicious one-pot, oven-proof meal for any night of the week—and ready in just under an hour.

12 of 40

Bacon-Wrapped Prunes

Bacon-Wrapped Prunes

Anything wrapped in bacon makes an ideal appetizer. The sweet and savory flavor combination of these bacon-wrapped prunes creates a delectable party snack.

13 of 40

California Cobb Salad

California Cobb Salad

Adding bacon to salads is a great way to incorporate extra protein. Our California Cobb salad is perfect for lunch on the go and will leave you feeling satisfyingly full.

14 of 40

Loaded Potato Bites

loaded potato bites outtakes — Kana Okada

This finger food works for all kinds of entertaining or as a side dish. It's just like the classic loaded potato—only bite-sized, making it ideal for passing around or snacking on during a big football game.

15 of 40

Brown-Sugar and Bacon-Glazed Brussels Sprouts

maine thanksgiving brown sugar and bacon glazed brussels sprouts — Paola + Murray

A notable Thanksgiving side dish that can be enjoyed any time of the year. Brown-sugar and bacon-glazed Brussels sprouts are packed with flavor and sweeter than you'd expect.

16 of 40

Spaghetti With Brussels Sprouts and Bacon

spaghetti-with-brussels-sprouts-and-bacon-102797750.jpg — Yunhee Kim

This is an easy weeknight dinner that comes together in 30 minutes. Sauté bacon, Brussels sprouts, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, then mix with the spaghetti. Serve with a generous amount of shredded Parmesan cheese.

17 of 40

Leek, Bacon, and Pea Risotto

An excellent, cozy weeknight meal that comes together in 40 minutes. This recipe guarantees leftovers, and we recommend making risotto cakes with roasted tomatoes and arugula the next day.

18 of 40

Canadian-Bacon Strata

A savory breakfast pudding features Canadian bacon and loads of cheese. You'll know it's done when it looks a little like a pizza. This bacon dish can be prepared the night before and baked in the morning.

19 of 40

Pot Roast With Bacon and Vegetables

pot roast vegetables — Con Poulos

Pot roast is a classic and hearty braised pork dish packed with bacon, vegetables, fresh herbs, and flavorful liquids. The slow, slow cooking method transforms this affordable cut, turning it into a cozy one-pot dinner.

20 of 40

Baked Beans With Bacon

baked beans bacon — Bryan Gardner

Baked beans cooked in maple syrup, mustard, ketchup, and a touch of Worcestershire sauce make this sweet-and-savory dish irresistible. Top it off with three slices of bacon, and you have yourself the ultimate backyard barbecue side dish.

21 of 40

Fusilli With Bacon, Onions, and Mushrooms

Easily customizable based on what you have in your fridge and ready in 30 minutes, this fusilli with bacon, onions, and mushrooms is a weeknight dinner dream.

22 of 40

Bacon Pasta With Cheese Sauce and Thyme

Bacon Pasta with Cheese Sauce — Linda Pugliese

This bacon pasta with cheese sauce and thyme is an even cheesier, bacon-rich take on carbonara. Our recipe calls for bacon end strips and cheeses that melt perfectly, such as Parmesan, Gruyère, fontina, or Monterey Jack.

23 of 40

Quick Spaghetti Carbonara

Quick Carbonara — Jacob Fox

Traditionally, carbonara is made with guanciale, but we use bacon in our recipe because it's easier to find at the grocery store and just as delicious.

24 of 40

Easy Eggs Benedict

easy eggs benedict — Chris Simpson

A brunch classic everyone should master. This dish requires Canadian bacon, which sits perfectly on the English muffin, supporting the poached egg and decadently rich Hollandaise sauce.

25 of 40

Chicken Club Salad

Chicken Salad — decorvow

Originally known as a sandwich, we replace the bread with crisp lettuce leaves. Our chicken club salad is a simple lunch or side dish that can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge.

26 of 40

Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts

bacon wrapped brussels sprouts — Bryan Gardner

Our roasted Brussels sprouts are wrapped in bacon and baked to perfection. We serve this irresistible finger food with a side of mustard sauce.

27 of 40

Bacon and Scallion Quiche

Romulo Yanes

This bacon and scallion quiche is a classic main dish for breakfast or lunch. Our recipe makes enough for two pie plates, making it ideal for feeding a crowd during the holidays.

28 of 40

Asparagus Casserole

Mike Krautter

Asparagus casserole is a traditional Southern dish that can be enjoyed anywhere. We elevate this dish to the next level with smoky bacon, creamy béchamel sauce, and sharp Gruyère cheese.

29 of 40

Breakfast Casserole With Bacon

Breakfast casserole with bacon — Jake Sternquist

Our breakfast casserole with bacon is similar to a quiche. It makes a delicious holiday brunch dish or the perfect meal for any slow weekend morning.

30 of 40

Guiness Pie

Martyna Szczesna

Guinness pie is a bit of a time commitment, but the results are worth it. Thick-cut bacon and beef chuck make up the meat mixture in this traditional Irish dish.

31 of 40

Broccoli-Cheddar Hash-Brown Casserole

Yunhee Kim

This casserole tastes like a loaded baked potato, topped with generous amounts of crispy bacon bits. It's a one-skillet recipe baked to golden perfection.

32 of 40

Fried Egg and Bacon Pastry Squares

One of our favorite ways to use puff pastry is in these fried egg and bacon pastry squares. This recipe yields nine servings, making it perfect for a crowd. We recommend making the puff pastry squares the night before and crisping them in the morning.

33 of 40

Broiled Bacon-Wrapped Chicken With Sweet Potatoes and Watercress

Joseph De Leo

Dress up your chicken with bacon for extra flavor. This sheet pan recipe is great for when you're short on time but still crave a delicious, home-cooked meal. Place the sweet potatoes, bacon-wrapped chicken, and onions on the sheet and broil for 8 to 10 minutes.

34 of 40

One-Pot Pasta With Broccoli Rabe and Bacon

Broccoli rabe bacon pasta — Jason Donnelly

A nutritious yet satisfying one-pot pasta meal that any picky eater can get behind. This cozy dish is packed with flavorful bacon, broccoli rabe, toasted walnuts, garlic, and freshly grated Parmesan to top it off. We love using fusilli pasta for this recipe, but any chunky, short pasta shape will work.

35 of 40

Fresh Angel-Hair Pasta with Bacon and Peas

This recipe takes just 20 minutes and five ingredients. Before you know it, you'll be sitting down to indulge in this pasta carbonara-inspired dish full of smokey bacon flavor.

36 of 40

Mushrrom-Bacon Galette

mushroom bacon galette — Ellen Silverman

Galettes make a tasty, savory tart that can be served on their own or as an appetizer—and they look impressive. Filled with sautéed bacon, leeks, and mushrooms tossed with fresh herbs, grated Parmesan, and chopped walnuts.

37 of 40

Corn Soup With Tomato-Bacon Toasts

Corn soup with tomato-bacon toasts — Armando Rafael

An elevated spin on the grilled cheese and soup combo. Try our corn soup paired with a tomato-bacon open-faced sandwich featuring layers of Manchego cheese, tomatoes, bacon, and a drizzle of olive oil.

38 of 40

Green Bean Casserole With Bacon

Martyna Szczesna

While this may be a traditional Thanksgiving dish, we think it's too irresistible to enjoy just once a year. Our green bean casserole with bacon is the perfect side dish for any meat or poultry and is great for feeding a crowd.

39 of 40

Bacon Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits

bacon and cheddar biscuit — Armando Rafael

As if warm, buttery biscuits could get any better—just add bacon. These bacon-cheddar buttermilk biscuits are seasoned with freshly ground pepper for a delightful kick. Serve them warm with butter and a side of eggs cooked your way.

40 of 40

Chicken, Mushroom, and Bacon Potpies

coq-a-doodle-doo coq-au-vin pot pie — Chris Simpson

Who doesn't love mini potpies? These rich, savory pies capture flavors from the classic French dish, coq au vin. This recipe uses a braising method, cooking low and slow for the ultimate cozy dish for cold weather.

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