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Bacon, Beef & Spinach Gratin

Prep 20 min Cook 35 min Difficulty 3/5

Cheesy bacon, beef and spinach gratin—quick to assemble, bakes in 25 minutes and serves as a hearty weeknight meal.

Why this recipe works

This gratin layers crisp bacon, browned beef and tender spinach in a creamy cheese sauce for a straightforward, satisfying bake. It suits cooks looking for a hearty family meal that’s easy to assemble and feeds a crowd.

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Key takeaways

Assemble quickly; bakes in 20–25 minutes.
Squeeze spinach and drain fat to avoid a soggy bake.
Make ahead and refrigerate, then bake before serving.

Recipe guide

This gratin layers crisp bacon, browned beef and tender spinach in a creamy cheese sauce for a straightforward, satisfying bake. It suits cooks looking for a hearty family meal that’s easy to assemble and feeds a crowd.

A simple, cheesy gratin that combines crisp bacon, browned beef and wilted spinach for an easy weeknight bake.

  • Assemble quickly; bakes in 20–25 minutes.
  • Squeeze spinach and drain fat to avoid a soggy bake.
  • Make ahead and refrigerate, then bake before serving.

What you need

Ingredients (serve ~6): 1.5 kg minced beef (total), 600 g streaky bacon, 900 g bagged spinach, 750 g grated cheese, 150 g plain flour, 1.6 L milk, 6 tbsp butter, 3 tsp salt, 1.5 tsp black pepper. Note: quantities reflect duplicates in the list; adjust to taste and appetite.

Step-by-step method

1) Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F). 2) Chop bacon and grate cheese. Cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp; drain, leaving some fat. 3) Brown minced beef in the skillet, season with salt and pepper; drain excess fat if needed. 4) Wilt spinach in batches with a splash of water, squeeze out moisture and chop. 5) Make a cheese sauce: melt butter, stir in flour 1–2 minutes, whisk in milk and simmer until thick. Stir most cheese into sauce, reserve topping. 6) Mix beef, bacon, spinach and sauce; transfer to a baking dish, top with reserved cheese. 7) Bake 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

Variations and practical tips

Use a mix of cheeses for depth, swap some milk for cream for a richer sauce, or add garlic/onion when browning beef. To reduce moisture, squeeze spinach well and drain skillet fat. Make ahead: assemble, cover and chill up to 24 hours; add extra 5–10 minutes to bake time if cold.

Ingredients

  • 500 g minced beef
  • 200 g streaky bacon
  • 300 g bagged spinach
  • 250 g cheese block, grated
  • 50 g plain flour
  • 400 ml milk
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F).
  2. Chop bacon into small pieces and grate the cheese block.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook bacon until crisp; remove and drain on paper towel, leaving some fat in pan.
  4. Add minced beef to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and brown until cooked through; drain excess fat if necessary.
  5. Wilt spinach in batches in the skillet with a splash of water until just collapsed; squeeze out excess moisture and roughly chop if large.
  6. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stir in flour and cook 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
  7. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth and simmer until sauce thickens, stirring frequently.
  8. Stir most of the grated cheese into the sauce, reserving some for topping, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  9. Combine beef, bacon, and spinach in a large mixing bowl, then pour in the cheese sauce and mix until evenly combined.
  10. Transfer mixture to a baking dish, sprinkle reserved cheese evenly over the top.
  11. Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
  12. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

FAQs

How long does the gratin keep? Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; freeze portions up to 2 months (thaw before reheating).
How do I reheat leftovers? Reheat single portions in the microwave or bake covered at 180°C (350°F) until hot through; uncover for 5–10 minutes to crisp the top.
Can I reduce fat or calories? Use lean mince, trim bacon or replace with smoked turkey bacon, reduce cheese amount, or use lower‑fat milk to cut calories.