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Skillet Beef, Bacon & Spinach Gratin
One-pan beef, bacon and spinach gratin: tender meat, smoky bacon, wilted greens, melted cheese—all cooked in a skillet and finished under the broiler.
Why this recipe works
This beef, bacon and spinach gratin comes together in a single skillet for a comforting, cheesy skillet meal. It suits busy weeknights, family dinners, or when you want an indulgent yet practical dish.
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Key takeaways
One-pan dish with bacon, beef, spinach, and cheese
Crispy bacon adds texture and flavor to the base
Finish under the broiler for bubbling, golden cheese
Recipe guide
This beef, bacon and spinach gratin comes together in a single skillet for a comforting, cheesy skillet meal. It suits busy weeknights, family dinners, or when you want an indulgent yet practical dish.
A one-pan gratin that comes together fast and bakes to bubbling perfection.
- One-pan dish with bacon, beef, spinach, and cheese
- Crispy bacon adds texture and flavor to the base
- Finish under the broiler for bubbling, golden cheese
Overview and servings
This skillet gratin blends ground beef, crispy bacon, spinach, and cheese for a hearty, quick dinner. Serves 4-6.
Prep and cook tips
Use all the bacon fat to flavor the meat. Wilt spinach in batches to avoid excess liquid. Broil or bake until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
Make-ahead and variations
Prepare components in advance: crisp bacon, browned beef, and wilted spinach. Try swapping in different greens or cheeses for variation.
Ingredients
- 8 slices streaky bacon
- 200 g spinach
- 150 g block cheese, grated
- 400 g minced/ground beef
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp oil
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat.
- Add bacon slices and cook until crisp, then remove and drain on paper towel, reserving fat in skillet.
- Increase heat to medium-high and add minced beef to skillet, breaking it up and browning until no pink remains.
- Season beef with salt and black pepper and cook another minute to meld flavors.
- Reduce heat to medium and add spinach in batches, stirring until wilted and any excess liquid has mostly evaporated.
- Crumble or chop cooked bacon and stir most of it into the beef and spinach, reserving a little for topping.
- Sprinkle grated cheese evenly over the beef, bacon and spinach mixture.
- Transfer skillet to a preheated oven broiler or 200°C/400°F oven and cook until cheese is melted and bubbling and lightly browned on top.
- Remove from oven and let rest a few minutes, then scatter reserved bacon over the gratin and serve directly from the skillet.
FAQs
Can I make this ahead?
Yes. Cook components, chill, then reheat in a skillet until bubbly under the broiler.
Can I use fresh spinach or other greens?
Fresh spinach works best; wilt in batches. Other greens may require longer cooking.
What cheese works best?
A good melting cheese like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Gruyère gives a nice pull and browning.