Bacon Cheeseburger Ramen Noodle Bake

• Ground beef: use 80 percent for more flavor or opt for lean for a lighter dish look for fresh meat with a deep red color and minimal liquid in the packaging
• Ramen noodles: they give that chewy texture and soak up all the creamy sauce choose classic instant ramen for best results
• Bacon: smokiness and salt essential for that cheeseburger flavor pick thick cut for big bites
• Onion: adds sweetness and depth look for firm and fragrant onions
• Garlic: gives aromatic punch use fresh for the best result
• Ketchup: classic cheeseburger tang any basic ketchup works
• Yellow mustard: adds zing and a little sharpness
• Worcestershire sauce: deepens the savory notes choose a sauce with no artificial ingredients
• Smoked paprika: smoky richness look for Spanish smoked paprika
• Black pepper and salt: simple seasonings to round out all the flavors
• Condensed cheddar cheese soup: gives the dish cheesy creaminess check the label for real cheese
• Sour cream: adds tang and keeps the bake extra creamy use full fat for the richest taste
• Whole milk: thins the sauce gently select high quality milk
• Shredded cheddar cheese: classic sharp cheese for melting pick a block and shred yourself for the best melt
• Shredded mozzarella cheese: makes the sauce even gooier
• Crushed tortilla chips or bread crumbs: for a crunchy top use panko for extra crunch
• Cooked bacon crumbs: more crunch and flavor right on top
• Green onions: fresh garnish for a pop of color and flavor use firm and bright green stalks

Instructions

Cook the Bacon:

Dice the raw bacon into small pieces and add to a cold skillet. Warm over medium heat allowing the fat to slowly render. Stir occasionally as the bacon crisps up which takes about seven minutes. Once fully golden and crispy transfer to a paper towel lined plate to soak up extra grease. Leave about one tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan for flavor.

Cook the Ground Beef:

In the same skillet with reserved bacon grease add the ground beef and finely diced onion. Break the meat apart with a spatula and cook over medium high heat. Wait until the onions turn soft and the beef is deeply browned about seven minutes. Drain off any excess fat. Stir in the minced garlic ketchup yellow mustard Worcestershire sauce smoked paprika salt and pepper. Continue to cook for two minutes releasing a fragrant sizzle.

Prepare the Ramen:

Boil a medium pot of water and add the ramen noodles without their seasoning packet. Cook for two minutes only so the noodles are slightly firm to withstand baking. Drain immediately to avoid mushiness.

Make the Creamy Sauce:

In a large mixing bowl whisk together the condensed cheddar cheese  soup sour cream and milk until smooth. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and mozzarella until well distributed. Gently fold in the cooked ramen noodles ground beef mixture and half the crispy bacon making sure each piece is well coated in creamy sauce.

Assemble the Bake:

Grease a nine by thirteen inch casserole dish using butter or cooking spray. Spoon the cheesy beef and noodle mixture into the dish and spread it evenly to the edges. Sprinkle with the remaining cheddar cheese. Scatter the crushed tortilla chips or bread crumbs evenly for a textured top and finish with the rest of the bacon crumble.

Beginner cooking course

Bake and Serve:

Slide the dish into a preheated three hundred fifty degree oven and bake for twenty to twenty five minutes until the top is golden and the cheese is bubbling. Remove from the oven and let the casserole sit for five minutes to set. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped green onions if you like. Slice and serve warm with your favorite sides like a crisp salad or pickles.