Savory Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
6 slices of savory ham
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup rich cream
1/2 cup tangy mayonnaise
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 cups chopped lettuce (optional, for serving)
Diced tomatoes (optional, for serving)
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a large skillet, cook the ham until crispy. Remove the ham and let it drain on paper towels, then crumble it into bits.
Drain most of the ham fat from the skillet, leaving about a tablespoon. In the same skillet, add the finely chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until translucent.
Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the rich cream, tangy mayonnaise, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika until smooth.
Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese into the ground beef mixture until melted and combined. Remove from heat.
Transfer the beef mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the cream mixture evenly over the top.
Sprinkle the crumbled ham over the top, followed by the remaining cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. If desired, top with chopped lettuce and diced tomatoes.