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Spinach, Bacon & Beef Cheesy Bake

Prep 20 min Cook 40 min Difficulty 3/5

Cheesy spinach, bacon and beef bake — easy midweek casserole ready in about 1 hour. Simple steps for a family-friendly dinner.

Why this recipe works

A hearty oven bake combining minced beef, crispy bacon, spinach and a cheesy white sauce. Suits cooks who want a family-friendly, midweek casserole with up-front prep and reliable results. Prep is quick and the dish holds well for leftovers or reheating.

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Key takeaways

Prep about 20 minutes; bake 30–40 minutes.
Cook beef and drain spinach to avoid sogginess.
Keeps and freezes well for meal planning.

Recipe guide

A hearty oven bake combining minced beef, crispy bacon, spinach and a cheesy white sauce. Suits cooks who want a family-friendly, midweek casserole with up-front prep and reliable results. Prep is quick and the dish holds well for leftovers or reheating.

Comforting, cheesy bake ready in about an hour with simple steps.

  • Prep about 20 minutes; bake 30–40 minutes.
  • Cook beef and drain spinach to avoid sogginess.
  • Keeps and freezes well for meal planning.

Prepare the filling

Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Dice the onion. Cook streaky bacon in a frying pan until crisp; remove and set aside on paper towel. In the same pan, add olive oil if needed, cook diced onion until translucent, then add minced beef and brown fully. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Wilt the bagged spinach briefly in the pan with the beef (or microwave and squeeze dry). Crumble or chop the cooked bacon and mix through.

Make the white cheese sauce

Make the cheese sauce: melt 2 tbsp butter in a saucepan, stir in 1 cup plain flour to form a paste and cook 1 minute. Gradually whisk in 1 cup milk until smooth and thickened. Remove from heat and stir in about 150–180 g grated cheese (reserve some for topping) until melted; adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Assemble and bake

Combine the beef, spinach and bacon in a baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over and stir gently to combine; sprinkle remaining grated cheese on top. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 30–40 minutes until golden and bubbling. Rest 5 minutes before serving. Total time: prep 20 min, cook 40 min.

Ingredients

  • 250 g minced/ground beef
  • 6 slices streaky bacon
  • 150 g bagged spinach
  • 1 cup plain flour
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup milk
  • 200 g cheese block (grated)
  • 1 small onion (approx 100 g)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

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FAQs

Can I freeze the bake? Yes — freeze after baking in a suitable container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in a 180°C (350°F) oven until hot.
What cheese works best? Use any sturdy melting cheese (cheddar, Colby or a mix). For lower salt, choose a reduced-sodium cheese and taste before adding the 1 tsp salt.
How do I prevent a soggy casserole? Sauté the onion and cook the beef fully before assembling. If using fresh spinach, wilt it in the pan; drain excess liquid to avoid a watery bake.