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Crispy Bacon & Cheddar Spinach Skillet

Prep 10 min Cook 15 min Difficulty 2/5

A quick, one-skillet bacon, spinach and cheddar dish—crispy bacon, wilted greens, and melty cheese in minutes.

Why this recipe works

This Crispy Streaky Bacon & Cheddar Skillet with Peppered Spinach is a quick, hearty dish that comes together in minutes. It’s ideal for busy weeknights or casual weekend meals, especially when you want something satisfying without a long prep. Perfect for small to medium households, or for meal-stretching leftovers.

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Key takeaways

One-pan method saves cleanup time.
Crispy bacon adds texture to wilted spinach.
Cheddar melts quickly for a creamy finish.

Recipe guide

This Crispy Streaky Bacon & Cheddar Skillet with Peppered Spinach is a quick, hearty dish that comes together in minutes. It’s ideal for busy weeknights or casual weekend meals, especially when you want something satisfying without a long prep. Perfect for small to medium households, or for meal-stretching leftovers.

Crisp bacon and melty cheddar come together in one skillet.

  • One-pan method saves cleanup time.
  • Crispy bacon adds texture to wilted spinach.
  • Cheddar melts quickly for a creamy finish.

1) Cook bacon and prep pan

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook bacon in a single layer until crisp and golden, 8–10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Remainder: keep about 1 tablespoon bacon fat in the pan; add olive oil if the fat seems scant and reduce heat to medium-low.

2) Sauté greens and rejoin bacon

Sauté onion in the reserved fat until soft and translucent, 4–5 minutes. Add spinach and black pepper; cook until wilted, 2–3 minutes. Lightly season with salt to taste, then return the crispy bacon to the skillet and toss to combine.

3) Melt cheese and finish

Scatter cheddar over the mixture and cover briefly until the cheese melts, 1–2 minutes. Remove from heat and rest 1 minute before serving to keep the cheese glossy and the flavors integrated.

Ingredients

  • 200 g streaky bacon, sliced into 1cm pieces
  • 150 g spinach, washed and roughly chopped
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  • 100 g cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • salt to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the sliced bacon in a single layer.
  2. Cook bacon, stirring occasionally, until crisp and golden, about 8–10 minutes; remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  3. Pour off excess bacon fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the skillet; add olive oil if needed and reduce heat to medium-low.
  4. Add the sliced onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 4–5 minutes.
  5. Add the chopped spinach and black pepper, stirring until spinach wilts, about 2–3 minutes; season lightly with salt.
  6. Return the crispy bacon to the skillet and toss to combine with spinach and onion.
  7. Sprinkle grated cheddar evenly over the mixture and cover the skillet briefly until cheese melts, about 1–2 minutes.
  8. Remove from heat and let rest a minute; serve warm.

FAQs

Can I substitute the bacon with turkey bacon? Yes. You can use turkey bacon for a lighter version, adjusting cooking time to prevent it from drying out.
Can I adjust the cheese amount? If you prefer stronger cheese flavor, add an extra 10–20 g cheddar or finish under low broil for 30 seconds.
How long do leftovers last? Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 2–3 days; reheat gently in a skillet to melt the cheese again.