50 Recipes to Make with Leftover Bacon

50 Recipes to Make with Leftover Bacon

Read Time: 24 mins

50 Recipes to Make with Leftover Bacon1/50 Balsamic Roasted Chicken Thighs with Root Vegetables 8 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Balsamic Roasted Chicken Thighs with Root Vegetables Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I will always remember the way my grandmother’s house smelled when she made these balsamic chicken thighs every Sunday. Ever since she gave me the recipe, the heartwarming flavors always take me back to my childhood. — Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 480 calories, 27g fat (6g

This is my family’s absolute favorite dish on my holiday table

saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 604mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 5g fiber), 27g protein. Amount of bacon needed: 3 strips, crumbled 2/50 Crunchy Bacon Blue Cheese Red Pepper Brussels Sprouts 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Crunchy Bacon Blue Cheese Red Pepper Brussels Sprouts Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is my family’s absolute favorite dish on my holiday table. What’s not to love with the mixed aroma of garlic, onions, bacon, and blue cheese floating through your home? —Jana Gooding, Carlsbad, California Nutrition Facts: 2/3

The whole wheat linguine gives the skillet dish extra flavor and texture

cup: 268 calories, 20g fat (5g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 736mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 10g protein. Amount of bacon needed: 1/2 cup, crumbled 3/50 BLT Skillet 39 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved BLT Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This quick weeknight meal reminds me of a BLT, with its chunks of bacon and tomato. The whole wheat linguine gives the skillet dish extra flavor and texture. —Edrie O’Brien, Denver, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 314 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat),

A line forms quickly behind this quichelike torte at family gatherings

23mg cholesterol, 682mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 7g fiber), 14g protein. Amount of bacon needed: 4 strips, chopped 4/50 Cheddar-Veggie Appetizer Torte 23 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 55 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A line forms quickly behind this quichelike torte at family gatherings. The wedges are easy to eat as finger food, and it’s delicious hot or cold. — Barbara Estabrook, Rhinelander, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 slice: 175 calories, 15g fat (8g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 244mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars,

0 fiber), 6g protein

0 fiber), 6g protein. Amount of bacon needed: 2 Tablespoons, crumbled 5/50 Cheesy Bacon Spaghetti Squash 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This quick casserole is called “cheesy” for a reason. Stir in any kind you’ve got. —Jean Williams, Stillwater, Oklahoma Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 312 calories, 24g fat (12g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 610mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein. Amount of bacon needed: 4 strips, chopped 6/50 Hash Brown Nests with Portobellos and Eggs 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved

Diabetic exchanges: 1 medium-fat meat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat

Hash Brown Nests with Portobellos and Eggs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 1 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Hash browns make a fabulous crust for these individual egg quiches, which look fancy yet are actually easy to make. They’ve been a hit at holiday brunches and other special occasions.—Kate Meyer, Brentwood, Tennessee Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 105 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 118mg cholesterol, 191mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 1 medium-fat meat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. Amount of bacon needed: 2 strips, crumbled

Everyone savors the flavor

7/50 Beef Barley Soup 40 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Hearty Beef and Barley Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 10 min Servings 9 servings (2-1/4 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This hearty beef barley soup is a favorite menu item in our house throughout the year. Everyone savors the flavor. —Elizabeth Kendall, Carolina Beach, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 133 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 859mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 14g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 8/50 Bacon-Corn Stuffed Peppers

They have a wonderful taste and give a fun twist to the usual corn on the cob

5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 45 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Filled with corn, salsa, green onions, mozzarella cheese and bacon, these grilled pepper halves are sure to liven up your next cookout. They have a wonderful taste and give a fun twist to the usual corn on the cob. —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland Nutrition Facts: 1 stuffed pepper half: 130 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 207mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat. Amount of bacon needed: 2

—Elizabeth Warren, Oklahoma City,

strips, crumbled 9/50 Kale & Bacon Salad with Honey-Horseradish Vinaigrette 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Kale & Bacon Salad with Honey-Horseradish Vinaigrette Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Totally scrumptious and packed with nutrition, this salad was my response to friends who asked how they could incorporate kale into their diets without sacrificing taste. It is also wonderful made with collard or mustard greens, prepared in the same fashion as the kale, or with a mix of spinach & arugula or watercress. —Elizabeth Warren, Oklahoma City,

We love the sweet, smoky flavor of these morning sandwiches

Oklahoma Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 236 calories, 15g fat (3g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 248mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 8g protein. Amount of bacon needed: 4 strips, crumbled 10/50 Waffle Sandwich 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Waffle Monte Cristos Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We love the sweet, smoky flavor of these morning sandwiches. I use store-bought frozen waffles to save time, but have at it if you want to put your waffle maker to good use. —Kelly Reynolds, Urbana, Illinois Nutrition

Chopped bratwurst and maple bacon are a fabulous way to start a pizza

Facts: 1 sandwich (calculated without syrup): 511 calories, 23g fat (10g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 1163mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein. Amount of bacon needed: 4 strips 11/50 Brat & Bacon Appetizer Pizza Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Brat & Bacon Appetizer Pizza Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 24 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Chopped bratwurst and maple bacon are a fabulous way to start a pizza. I jazz up this treat even more with apricot preserves and honey mustard. The snack-sized slices win over even the

toughest critics

toughest critics. —Colleen Vrooman, Waukesha, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 124 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 229mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein. Amount of bacon needed: 4 strips, chopped 12/50 Egg-Topped Avocado Toast 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Egg-Topped Avocado Toast Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We always have avocados on hand, so it’s easy to make this quick breakfast toast for my husband and me. It’s really tasty! —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California Nutrition Facts: 1 open-faced sandwich:

It’s an ideal dish for tailgating and potlucks

313 calories, 21g fat (7g saturated fat), 211mg cholesterol, 492mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 15g protein. Amount of bacon needed: 2 strips, crumbled 13/50 Loaded Red Potato Casserole 27 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Loaded Red Potato Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This potato casserole has the same flavor of the potato skins you can order as a restaurant appetizer. It’s an ideal dish for tailgating and potlucks. —Charlane Gathy, Lexington, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 187 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated

Wine and mushrooms lend elegance to this oh-so-simple pork dish

fat), 23mg cholesterol, 245mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein. Amount of bacon needed: 1/2 cup, crumbled 14/50 Elegant Pork Marsala 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Wine and mushrooms lend elegance to this oh-so-simple pork dish. Use pre-sliced mushrooms and minced garlic to save time. Cleanup is one-pan easy. —Kim Gillis, High Falls, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 pork chop with 1/3 cup sauce: 232 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 161mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein.

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. Amount of bacon needed: 2 strips, chopped 15/50 Cassoulet for Today 18 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 35 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: French cassoulet is traditionally cooked for hours. This version of the rustic dish offers the same homey taste in less time. It’s easy on the wallet too. —Virginia Anthony, Jacksonville, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 394 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 736mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 8g fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat,

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

What’s not to love with the mixed aroma of garlic, onions, bacon, and blue cheese floating through your home?

Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.

⭐ Expert Tips

  • Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

  • Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

  • Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

  • These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

  • Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

  • Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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