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Spinach, Bacon & Beef Cheesy Bake

Prep 20 min Cook 40 min Difficulty 3/5

A hearty, cheesy bake with beef, bacon, spinach and a creamy sauce. Easy steps and bake to golden perfection.

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

  1. Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F).
  2. Chop onion finely and slice bacon into small strips.
  3. Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat and cook bacon until crisp; remove and drain on paper towel.
  4. Add chopped onion to bacon fat and sauté until soft and translucent.
  5. Increase heat, add minced beef to pan, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned; drain excess fat if needed.
  6. Wilt spinach in a separate pan or microwave until just collapsed, then squeeze out excess liquid and roughly chop.
  7. Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat, stir in flour to form a roux and cook 1 minute.
  8. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth and thickened to a sauce consistency; remove from heat and stir in half the grated cheese until melted.
  9. Combine cooked beef, bacon, onion, and spinach in a large bowl; mix in the cheese sauce and adjust seasoning.
  10. Transfer mixture to a lightly greased baking dish and sprinkle remaining grated cheese evenly over the top.
  11. Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
  12. Allow to rest 5 minutes before serving.

Why this recipe works

Search intent: ingredient-led recipe for a cheesy beef bake

Hearty spinach, bacon and beef bake with a cheesy sauce. Simple steps and a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish.

Can I use fresh spinach instead of bagged spinach? Yes, use 300 g fresh spinach, wilt and drain well before mixing.
Can I make this ahead and bake later? Yes, assemble, cover, chill up to 24 hours, then bake a bit longer.
Can I substitute ground beef with turkey? Ground turkey works, but may be less rich; add a bit more cheese for depth.