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Cheesy Beef, Bacon & Spinach Bake

Prep 20 min Cook 35 min Difficulty 3/5

Cheesy Beef, Bacon & Spinach Bake with a creamy cheddar sauce. Beef, bacon and spinach layered under a golden cheese topping.

Ingredients

  • 400 g beef mince
  • 200 g streaky bacon
  • 150 g plain flour
  • 250 g cheddar cheese
  • 200 g bagged spinach

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan).
  2. Chop bacon into 1cm pieces and finely chop onion if available.
  3. Heat a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp, remove and drain on paper towel.
  4. Add beef mince to skillet, brown well, breaking up lumps, season with salt and pepper.
  5. Stir bacon back into the beef, add spinach in batches until wilted and excess moisture evaporates.
  6. Transfer beef mixture to an ovenproof dish and spread evenly.
  7. Melt 40g butter in a saucepan, whisk in the plain flour to form a roux and cook for 1–2 minutes.
  8. Gradually whisk in 400–500ml milk until smooth and thickened; season and remove from heat.
  9. Stir about 200g grated cheddar into the sauce until melted, reserving some for topping.
  10. Pour cheese sauce over beef and spinach, sprinkle remaining cheddar on top.
  11. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbling.
  12. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Why this recipe works

Search intent: recipe to make a hearty cheesy bake

A comforting, cheesy bake using beef, bacon, spinach and a silky cheddar sauce. Easy to assemble and perfect for family dinners.

Can I substitute cheeses? Yes. You can use regular cheddar or a sharp cheddar for more bite.
How do I know when it’s baked through? Cook until the sauce is smooth and the top is golden before serving.
Can I adjust for a lighter version? If you prefer a lighter version, reduce bacon to 100 g and use half-and-half instead of extra milk.