bacon

Air Fryer Bacon

Bacon! BACON! BACON! Always a good idea and perfect addition to so many dishes. You can cook your bacon so easily and without a mess in the Air Fryer to make life a little easier. Here’s how!

Air Fryer Bacon

Can we just dive right into this one?

Place 5 slices of bacon into the airy fryer (you may be able to fit more if you have a larger air fryer). Set the temperature to 390 degrees. Cook for 10-12 minutes depending on the crispiness level you like. 11 minutes is perfect for me where it is crunchy but still has great flavor.

To clean the air fryer after cooking bacon, drain the fat into a mug and let that thicken up. Once thickened, dispose in the garbage. Wipe the inside of your air fryer clean. No bacon splatter to clean up! Amen.

Take note that I am using thick cut bacon which I always recommend buying. If you have a thin cut bacon, reduce your time.

What can you use bacon with?

The short answer is anything. Some ideas include with waffles for breakfast, in a BLT for lunch, on a salad, on top of a cheeseburger, make crumbles for potato soup or eat as a snack.

Air Fryer Bacon

Bacon! BACON! BACON! Always a good idea and perfect addition to so many dishes. You can cook your bacon so easily and without a mess in the Air Fryer to make life a little easier. Here's how!

Author Amber

Ingredients

5 slices bacon thick cut

Instructions

Line the bacon slices into the air fryer basket side by side.
Place the temperature to 390 degrees and cook for 10-12 minutes depending on how crispy you like your bacon.
Place on a kitchen napkin to absorb any excess grease and serve.
Repeat.

Carbonara with Peas

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ElevateYourMeal #CollectiveBias

Carbonara with Peas is a creamy pasta dish made with thick pieces of bacon, garlic, Parmesan cheese, egg and Barilla® Collezione Bucatini for a simple, yet elevated, weeknight meal.

Carbonara with Peas is a gourmet meal that isn’t too complex and requires just a few ingredients making it the perfect dish for busy nights or for a cook that is just dipping their toes into creating more artisanal foods at home. For myself, creating artisanal meals starts with family tradition. The best traditional meals are the ones that supply comfort in every bite and have the power to bring families together around the dinner table. A carbonara is THAT meal for my family.

Barilla® is my go-to pasta to create all kinds of delicious meals for my family from spaghetti and meatballs to tuna casserole. When I want to create a more gourmet pasta dish, I reach for Barilla® Collezione. Barilla® Collezione is made with non-GMO ingredients and crafted using traditional Italian bronze plates for a homemade texture. The bronze cut taste and texture perfectly holds sauce and you can really taste the Collezione difference.

You can find Barilla® Collezione pasta shapes at your local grocer. I found mine on the pasta aisle at Kroger on my weekly shopping trip while picking up my other Carbonara with Peas ingredients.

Try all six artisanal Barilla® Collezione pasta shapes:

Orecchiette
Bucatini
Penne
Spaghetti
Casarecce
Rigatoni

Click HERE to visit Saving Star to save on Barilla® !

Spend $15 on any Collezione products between 09/06/18 and 11/26/18 and receive a $5 reward.

Carbonara with Peas

Bring on the pasta! Carbonara with Peas is perfect when you want to put a great meal on the table quickly. Not many gourmet dishes have a 7 minute cook time and limited prep work needed like this carbonara. The rich, silky texture of this pasta dish with the garlicky peas and hint of bacon all over is going to put this recipe in your dinner line-up over and over again.

I feel that some people are intimidated by the egg in carbonara but don’t be. The trick to carbonara is to finish cooking the pasta and pan of bacon with peas at the exact same time so you can quickly drain the pasta and add all ingredients together while everything is hot. The hot ingredients is what cooks that raw egg well enough to consume. Make sure the eggs are pasteurized and fresh. After the first bite, your taste buds and tummy will be thanking you for making this dish!

Carbonara with Peas

Carbonara with Peas is a creamy dish made with thick bacon pieces, garlic, Parmesan cheese, egg and Barilla® Collezione Bucatini for a simple, yet elevated, weeknight meal.

12 ounce box Barilla® Collezione Bucatini
1 cup frozen peas, defrosted
1/2 pound thick cut bacon (pancetta can be used)
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 eggs, reccomend pasteurized
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded plus more for serving
cracked pepper
salt

Chop bacon into 1 inch slices.
In a small bowl, mix 4 eggs and 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese together.
Finely mince the garlic cloves.
Bring 4-6 quarts of water to a boil. Add salt and pasta.
Boil pasta for 7 minutes.
Timing is important with Carbonara so right when you put the pasta in to cook, add the bacon into a large preheated saute pan on the stove top. Cook the bacon for 5 minutes.
Add the peas to the bacon for 1 minute.
Push the bacon and peas to the side while you add the garlic. Let the garlic cook until it is aromatic (about 1 minute). Mix the garlic with the peas and bacon.
Immediately drain the pasta as it finishes it 7 minute cook time reserving half a cup of the pasta water for later. Place the drained pasta into the bacon pan and stir ingredients together for 1 minute.
Remove the pan from heat and add the egg mixture. Stir well and quickly. Add in the reserved pasta water as needed until you get a creamy consistency.
Serve with some fresh ground pepper and parmesan cheese on top.

Have you ever made a carbonara at home? Let me know in the comments below and tell me how you elevate everyday dishes using Barilla® Collezione!

** This recipe may contain raw egg. I recommend pasteurized eggs to reduce risk of food-born illness.

Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs

Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs are made with bun sized hot dogs wrapped in delicious bacon cooked on the grill until crispy and covered with barbecue sauce for a simple way to dress up that average hot dog.

Let’s begin with some facts about bacon.

Bacon Facts:

FACT: Bacon is irresistible.

FACT: Bacon makes everything taste more delicious.

FACT: Bacon is ALWAYS a good idea.

Why cover hot dogs with bacon? You get a crispy, salty layer between the bun and dog with caramelized barbecue sauce to top it off. DROOL WORTHY food!

These Bacon Wrapped Hot Dos are fun for a grill out with friends or to just to make hot dog night a little more exciting at your house!

Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs

Let us get grilling! Start by soaking toothpicks in a bowl of water so we can avoid the toothpicks burning on the grill and preheat the grill to a medium low heat.

Wrap each hot dog with a slice of bacon and secure in place with a toothpick on each end. Make sure to use a regular sliced bacon instead of thick which is what I typically recommend. In this case, thinner bacon will cook better.

Place on the grill for about 10 minutes each side or until that bacon is crispy and brush with barbecue sauce. Leave the lid open while grilling because of all that grease falling can cause a spark below and then you will have some extra crispy Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs. Hey, maybe you like the extra crisp and in that case, close the lid periodically and keep a close eye on it.

You don’t need a lot of toppings with these Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs. Keep it simple! Adding just a squirt of mustard was just right for us. Don’t forget to remove those toothpicks before serving!

Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs

Bacon Wrapped Hots with Barbecue Sauce, BBQ, Grilling hot dogs, grilling bacon

Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs are made with bun sized hot dogs wrapped in delicious bacon cooked on the grill until crispy and covered with barbecue sauce for a simple way to dress up that average hot dog.

10 bun sized hot dogs
10 slices classic cut bacon
10 hot dog buns
5 tablespoons barbecue sauce
garnish with mustard

Soak 20 toothpicks in water for 20 minutes.
Heat grill up to a medium-low heat.
Wrap each hot dog with a slice of bacon. Secure the bacon with one toothpick on each end.
Toss hot dogs on grill for 10 minutes, flip, and brush on barbecue sauce.
Cook another 10 minutes and brush on more barbecue sauce.
Serve in a hot dog bun with a drizzle of mustard.

Mother’s Day Bacon and Sausage Brunch Casserole

BACON AND SAUSAGE BRUNCH CASSEROLE

Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tyson Foods, Inc. All opinions are entirely my own.

Bacon and Sausage Brunch Casserole is a perfect Mother’s Day recipe made with Jimmy Dean® Regular Premium Pork Sausage, Wright® Brand Hickory Smoked Bacon, hash browns, eggs, onion, garlic, Mexican cheese and Roma tomatoes.

We are beginning our brunch journey with a trip to Meijer to check off all those items on the grocery list. From produce to fresh flowers to serving platters and so much more, Meijer stores have it all. For this Bacon and Sausage Brunch Casserole, a visit to the refrigerated meats section is the first stop to grab Jimmy Dean Regular Premium Pork Sausage and Wright Brand Hickory Smoked Bacon. Also, keep an eye out for the new Jimmy Dean Hickory Smoked Bacon now available at Meijer, because bacon is life and you are going to want to try the bold smoky flavor in a slightly thicker cut. Be sure to be on the lookout for the special Mother’s Day stickers on Jimmy Dean and Wright Brand products at Meijer!

THE MEAT

Jimmy Dean Regular Premium Pork Sausage offers a high quality, savory pork sausage with a special blend of seasonings. Ideal for breakfast casseroles!

Wright Brand Hickory Smoked Bacon is a naturally smoked bacon that is hand-trimmed and cut thick. You are going to want to eat this bacon as part of your breakfast, lunch and dinner.

LOCATE A MEIJER STORE NEAR YOU TO PICK UP EVERYHTING ON YOUR MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH MENU!

CLICK HERE FOR THE STORE LOCATOR!

BRUNCH TABLESCAPE

I decided to go with a tablescape that was beautiful, yet simple. The lace table runner is my favorite part. I added some fresh flowers and candles and utilized cake stands wherever possible. I stuck to all white for the plates, table runner, cake stands and serving dishes to help keep the dining room bright and airy. The floral napkins are a vintage find from a while back and inspired this entire table and set the tone for brunch.

What you need for a Mother’s Day brunch tablescape:

Fresh flowers for a pop of color.
Candles.
Lace table runner.
Floral napkins.
Cake stands for muffins and pastries.
Serving platters, bowls and serving utensils. I used all white to keep the table bright and cheery.
Plates, bowls, glasses and utensils for each guest.

BRUNCH MENU

Bacon and Sausage Brunch Casserole. Recipe card below!
Blueberry muffins. I used a simple box mix today with bakery style liners.
Vanilla Yogurt with granola.
Fresh fruit with strawberries, kiwi, blackberries and grapes.
Orange juice. You can even set up a beverage bar with juice, water, coffee and some mimosas.
Variety of pastries. Some pastries from the bakery at Meijer are easy and delicious for a nice brunch treat.

BACON AND SAUSAGE BRUNCH CASSEROLE

Let’s get to the best part! Our Mother’s Day Bacon and Sausage Brunch Casserole that is loaded with Jimmy Dean Regular Premium Pork Sausage and Wright Brand Hickory Smoked Bacon for a meaty main dish mom will love. Our menu has pastries, muffins, yogurt and fruit but a hot dish was needed to complete brunch. This Bacon and Sausage Brunch Casserole hits the spot with your favorite breakfast meats and the must have eggs and hash browns. Plus, the tomatoes add some vibrant color to the top. This casserole is going to make your Mother’s Day! Make sure to click play on the short video at the bottom of the page to see how simple this casserole is.

Bacon and Sausage Brunch Casserole

Bacon and Sausage Brunch Casserole is a perfect Mother’s Day recipe made with Jimmy Dean® Regular Premium Pork Sausage, Wright® Brand Hickory Smoked Bacon, hash browns, eggs, onion, garlic, Mexican cheese and Roma tomatoes.

1.5 pound Wright® Brand Hickory Smoked Bacon
16 ounce Jimmy Dean® Regular Premium Pork Sausage
3/4 pound frozen hash browns, thawed
2 cups Mexican cheese
2 Roma tomatoes, sliced
8 eggs
.5 teaspoon salt
.5 teaspoon pepper
.5 cup heavy cream
.5 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
.5 cup sour cream
chives to garnish

Finely chop half an onion, mince 2 garlic cloves, slice tomatoes and chop a few chives.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
On the stovetop on medium heat, cook your Wright Brand Hickory Smoked Bacon extra crispy, set to the side on paper towels.
Dispose of bacon grease on the bottom of pan and place pan back on medium heat. Add Jimmy Dean Regular Premium Pork Sausage and brown meat. Place the sausage to the side in a bowl.
Place pan back on stovetop and turn down heat a bit, add minced garlic and half a chopped onion. Stir for 2 minutes and set onion mix to the side in a bowl.
In a mixing bowl, add eggs, salt, pepper, heavy cream, sour cream and cheese. Whisk thoroughly. Set to side.
Assemble the casserole after spraying dish with non-stick spray.
Place hash browns in the bottom layer. Use about 3/4 of a 1 pound bag. Add the cooked sausage, then the cooked onion. Spread out evenly.
Add a layer of the cooked bacon slices followed by the egg mixture.
Place in oven for 35 minutes.
Add tomato slices and chives, cook another 10 minutes.
Serve.

Do you have Mother’s Day brunch plans? Let me know in the comments below what you are giving your mom, and most importantly, what you will be feeding her!

Bacon Wrapped Turkey Meatloaf

Bacon Wrapped Turkey Meatloaf for any day of the week! This meatloaf is so tasty with bell peppers, hint of garlic, A1 sauce and topped with bacon and BBQ sauce. I love this meal because the meatloaf itself, is healthy and colorful and the addition of bacon brings a nice texture and flavor. Plus, let’s be honest. Anything with bacon, makes life a little better!

If you have followed me for awhile, you know that this is Aaron’s recipe without me having to tell you that. He is the bacon man. Bacon on anything and everything! Bacon all day every day… you get the point. We like using turkey for our meatloaf because it doesn’t get greasy and it is a healthier option. Sometimes swapping turkey can make a dish more bland but you wont miss the ground beef flavors either, the A1 and other flavors put into the turkey more than make up for it. And speaking of greasy, you may not want to use a meatloaf pan to cook this recipe. If you use a meatloaf pan, make sure it is one that drains the fat because that bacon grease will be build up in the pan. We mold the meatloaf on a foil covered baking sheet so there is some room for the excess grease to run off.

Red and green bell peppers are what we love to use in our meatloaf, although if you prefer a swap for something else there are plenty of options. Celery, carrots, mushrooms, or onions are commonly used meatloaf and would also taste fantastic in this particular recipe!

Meatloaf does need to cook for awhile but the prep is incredibly easy. Just toss the ingredients into a big bowl and squish together and blend into a meatloaf log form. Wrap and weave the bacon over top. Then, 15 minutes before finishing cooking you will add the BBQ sauce. Wait until the end of cooking the meatloaf to add the BBQ sauce so the bacon has the time it needs to crisp up a bit. Use any kind of bacon but keep in mind the thicker cuts won’t be able to crisp as well as thinner cuts so pick one for your preference. BBQ sauce used is also based on your taste preference. Pick the sauce your family enjoys or try a new one!

Bacon Wrapped Turkey Meatloaf

1 green bell pepper
1 red bell pepper
2 eggs
2 pounds ground lean turkey
.5 teaspoon garlic powder
1.5 cups oats
2.5 tablespoons A1 sauce
6 slices bacon
3/4 cup BBQ sauce

Pre heat oven to 400 degrees.
Gather ingredients, large mixing bowl, measuring cups, foil, baking pan, knife and cutting board.
Put 2 pounds of ground turkey into mixing bowl.
Dice 1 green and 1 red bell pepper and place into bowl.
Add 1.5 cups oats, .5 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 eggs, 2.5 tablespoons A1 in bowl and mix with hands until well blended. I recommend using gloves for this step.
Put the meatloaf mixture on top of baking pan lined with foil and form it into a log.
Wrap and weave 6 slices of bacon on top of the meatloaf.
Place in oven for 50 minutes.
Remove from oven and add 3/4 BBQ sauce of your choice on top. Place back into oven for another 15 minutes.
Remove meatloaf from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.
Slice and serve.

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Spaghetti Carbonara

Spaghetti Carbonara is a classic pasta dish that the whole family loves and you can have it on the table in only 15 minutes making it a perfect dish for those busy nights! You do have to move quickly when preparing this dish so if you are an unexperienced cook, instead of cooking everything at the same time, you will want to prepare everything first and then cook the bacon followed by cooking the pasta. This will take longer but after making it once or twice, you will get this dish down to 15 minutes by having the bacon cook at the same time as the pasta while you chop and prepare on the side as the directions describe. Promise, we can do this. Everyone needs a few classic go to pasta dishes and Spaghetti Carbonara is definitely on my list!

Spaghetti Carbonara

1 pound spaghetti
8 slices thick cut bacon
3 garlic cloves
1 cup parmesan
3 egg yolks
1 egg
pepper

Gather ingredients, cutting board, knife, measuring cup, garlic press, large pot, pan, strainers, bowls and utensils.
Get the large pot of water boiling for the pasta and on another burner, put the stove on a medium heat for the bacon.
Cut the bacon before you cook it into bite size pieces. Throw into the pan to cook for 6-7 minutes flipping bacon frequently. In the last minute of bacon cooking, mince the 3 cloves of garlic. Turn off heat and place the bacon and garlic on a plate to the side. Save the bacon grease in the pan for later.
While the bacon is cooking, cook the pasta according to the box directions. Strain. Save some of the pasta water to the side to use in a few minutes.
While the pasta is finishing cooking, mix 3 eggs yolks, 1 egg, pinch of pepper and 1 cup of parmesan cheese together.
Once that cooked pasta is strained, toss everything together in a large bowl. Add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the extra bacon grease to really get the carbonara creamy. If you would like to cut back on a few calories, you may use the spare pasta water instead of bacon grease or do a little of both like we do.
Spaghetti Carbonara is ready! Enjoy!

Chicken BLTA Salad

Super easy Chicken BLTA Salad with a creamy avocado “Bomb” Sauce. All fresh avocado, jalapenos, cherry tomatoes, spinach with grilled or baked chicken, crispy bacon and freshly grated Monterey jack cheese topped with a homemade creamy avocado sauce on a bed of baby spinach. Perfect salad for a lunch or dinner any day of the week to keep you full and satisfied. The pictures don’t do this salad justice! So delicious.

Chicken BLTA Salad

1/2 avocado
1/2 jalapeno
1/2 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
1/2 chicken breast
4 slices bacon
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
3 cups baby spinach
desired amount of "Bomb"Sauce

Gather ingredients, knife, cutting board, salad bowl, pan, tongs, and cheese grater.
Wash fruits and vegetables.
Grill or bake chicken until done. 45 minutes on 350 degrees in the oven. Cut chicken into bite sized pieces once fully cooked.
Cook bacon in the pan on a medium heat until crispy, use your tongs to flip bacon often. Chop bacon once fully cooked.
Prepare "Bomb"Sauce for a creamy avocado dressing according to link's directions.
Cut 1/2 an avocado into bite size pieces and cut cherry tomatoes in half.
Slice 1/2 jalapeno.
Place 3 cups of baby spinach into salad bowl and assemble chicken, bacon, avocado, cherry tomatoes on top.
Use the cheese grater to shred 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese.
Toss sliced jalapeno on top.
Pour the "Bomb"Sauce on in your desired amount.
Enjoy!

bacon

Air Fryer Bacon