Cheese Stick Bacon Cheeseburger (Print Version)

Layered cheeseburger casserole with seasoned ground beef, bacon, vegetables, and mozzarella cheese sticks sandwiched between bread dough, baked until golden and cheesy.

# Ingredients:

→ For the Filling

01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 6 to 8 slices bacon
03 - 4 to 6 mozzarella cheese sticks
04 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
05 - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
06 - 1/2 green bell pepper, sliced
07 - 1/4 onion, diced (optional)
08 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
10 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ For Assembly

11 - Bread dough or thick sandwich bread
12 - Italian seasoning (for topping)

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 375 degrees (190°C).
02 - Season the ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Form it into a thick patty or spread it into a layered meat base that will fit your baking dish.
03 - Cook the bacon until it's slightly crispy but still pliable. Set aside on paper towels to drain.
04 - In a baking dish or on a baking tray, start layering: first lay down your bread base (either rolled-out dough or thick sandwich bread). Add the seasoned ground beef, spreading it evenly. Top with the cooked bacon, diced tomatoes, and sliced bell peppers. Place the mozzarella cheese sticks evenly across the top, then sprinkle with the shredded cheddar cheese.
05 - Cover everything with another layer of bread or dough, sealing the edges if using dough. Sprinkle Italian seasoning over the top.
06 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese inside is melted and gooey.
07 - Let it cool for a few minutes, then slice and serve. The cheese sticks create amazing cheesy pulls!

# Notes:

01 - The mozzarella cheese sticks add an awesome cheesy pull when you slice into this!
02 - You can use store-bought pizza dough, refrigerated crescent dough, or even thick sliced bread for the base and top.
03 - Make sure the beef is fully cooked - you can brown it in a skillet first if you prefer, or it will cook through in the oven.
04 - This is like a cheeseburger meets a stuffed bread - so fun and delicious!
05 - Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing so the cheese sets up a bit and doesn't all run out.

Back