Ree Drummond's Bacon Cheeseburger Dip _ The Pioneer Woman _ Food Network
# Bacon Cheeseburger Dip: A Step-by-Step Recipe Inspired by a Video Transcription
## Introduction
This article is inspired by a video transcription detailing the creation of a bacon cheeseburger dip. The recipe combines the smoky flavor of bacon with the richness of cream cheese and ground beef, resulting in a delicious appetizer that's sure to impress. Follow these detailed steps to recreate this mouthwatering dish at home.
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## Ingredients
- **Ground Beef**: 2 lbs (1 kg)
- **Bacon**: 1 lb (450 g), fried and crumbled
- **Cream Cheese**: 2 blocks, softened
- **Cheddar Cheese**: 2 cups, freshly grated
- **Ketchup**: ½ cup
- **Mustard**: ¼ cup
- **Worcestershire Sauce**: optional, for mixing with the ground beef
- **Frozen Dinner Rolls**: 1 package, thawed and risen
- **Garlic Butter**: ¼ cup (made from fresh garlic and butter)
- **Sesame Seeds**: for sprinkling on rolls
- **Optional Toppings**: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and pickles
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## Equipment Needed
- Large skillet or pan
- Mixing bowl
- Baking dish
- Baking sheet or tray
- Spatula
- Wire rack or paper towels (for draining bacon fat)
- Garlic press (optional for garlic butter)
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## Instructions
### Step 1: Cooking the Ground Beef with Bacon Grease
1. **Fry the Bacon**: Begin by frying several pieces of bacon until crispy. Remove them from the pan and set aside, leaving the rendered bacon grease in the pan.
2. **Cook the Ground Beef**: In the same pan with the bacon grease, add the ground beef. Turn up the heat to brown the meat quickly. Use a spatula to break the beef into small crumbles as it cooks.
3. **Season the Beef**: Once the beef is fully browned, season it with your preferred amount of seasoned salt and pepper. Cook until all the pink color has disappeared.
4. **Drain Excess Fat**: Let the mixture sit for a minute to allow some of the fat to drain off. Use a spatula to remove as much fat as possible before proceeding.
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### Step 2: Preparing the Cream Cheese Base
1. **Mix Cream Cheese and Cheddar**: In a baking dish, spread two blocks of softened cream cheese. Sprinkle a little black pepper on top for added flavor. Add half of the freshly grated cheddar cheese to the cream cheese and mix until well combined.
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### Step 3: Combining Ingredients for the Dip
1. **Add Cooked Beef**: Stir in all the cooked ground beef into the cream cheese mixture. If there's a little bit of juice from the beef, that's okay—it adds extra flavor.
2. **Mix Condiments with Beef**: In a small bowl, mix ketchup and mustard (and Worcestershire sauce if desired). Pour this mixture over the beef in the baking dish. Alternatively, you can add these condiments directly to the pan while cooking the beef for an easier method.
3. **Add Bacon Pieces**: Sprinkle half of the crumbled bacon pieces into the dip. Mix everything together until well incorporated.
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### Step 4: Finalizing the Dip
1. **Top with Cheese**: Add the remaining cheddar cheese on top of the dip and sprinkle the rest of the bacon pieces for extra flavor and texture.
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### Step 5: Preparing the Garlic Butter Rolls
1. **Thaw and Rise Rolls**: Let the frozen dinner rolls thaw and rise according to package instructions.
2. **Make Garlic Butter**: In a small bowl, mix melted butter with minced garlic (using a garlic press for convenience) to create a delicious garlic butter sauce.
3. **Brush Rolls**: Generously brush the garlic butter on top of each roll. Sprinkle sesame seeds on each roll to add a crunchy texture and a touch of visual appeal.
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### Step 6: Baking
1. **Preheat Oven**: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. **Bake Together**: Place the baking dish with the dip and the rolls on a baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 17-20 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and the dip is bubbly.
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### Step 7: Finishing Touches
1. **Add Condiments**: Once baked, drizzle ketchup and mustard over the dip in a decorative pattern.
2. **Garnish with Vegetables**: Sprinkle shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes on top for freshness and texture.
3. **Add Bacon Bits**: Finish by sprinkling leftover bacon bits over the entire dish.
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### Step 8: Serving
1. **Serve Warm**: Let the dip cool slightly, then serve warm alongside the garlic butter rolls. Encourage your guests to dive in with spoons or use the rolls as scoops for a true cheeseburger experience!
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## Conclusion
This bacon cheeseburger dip is more than just a snack—it's an explosion of flavors that brings the classic cheeseburger into a shareable, comforting form. Whether you're entertaining friends or enjoying it at home, this dish is sure to be a hit. Pair it with the garlic butter rolls for an extra special treat and prepare to impress everyone who tries it!