70 Recipes Prove That Everything Is Better With Bacon

Sweet crunchy bacon crackers

Craving bacon? We don't blame you. There's nothing like waking up to the smell and sound of bacon sizzling on the frying pan, or biting into a crispy, toasty BLT sandwich. We've got you covered with our 70 best bacon recipes that go beyond the breakfast plate.

From party recipes like bacon dips and appetizers to holiday side recipes like bacon macaroni and cheese and bacon Brussels sprouts, there's something for every kind of bacon lover out there in this roundup of salty, savory recipes. Even dessert gets the bacon treatment; add a scoop of bacon ice cream to your dinner menu and watch your family's eyes light up. When in doubt, always look for a recipe with bacon.

Related: 25 Bacon Recipes That Are Completely Allowed on a Low-Carb Diet

Best Bacon Recipes

Guy Fieri's Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Thighs with Peri Peri Sauce

<p>Mark Boughton Photography/Styling by Teresa Blackburn</p>

Mark Boughton Photography/Styling by Teresa Blackburn

This grilled chicken recipe features a signature South African condiment: fiery peri peri sauce. If you can't find fresh cayenne chiles, use a combo of chile de arbol, Thai peppers, haba?eros and/or Fresnos. Par-cooking the bacon before wrapping it around the chicken helps minimize shrinkage—and flare-ups—on the grill.

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Candied Bacon

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

This simple, 4-ingredient bacon snack is highly addictive. Chewy, sweet and salty with a dash of spice from chile and cayenne powder, this will soon be one of your family favorites.

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BBQ Bacon Meatloaf

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

Breadcrumbs are traditionally used in meatloaf and meatballs to add moisture to the finished dish. This barbecue bacon meatloaf recipe calls for oatmeal instead, as it will do the trick to create moist and delicious dishes while adding fiber.

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Related: The Best Ways to Cook Bacon

Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Poppers in 30 Min or Less

<p>Chad A Elick</p>

Chad A Elick

This grilled take on jalape?o poppers is perhaps even yummier than the traditional recipe. Jalape?os are stuffed with a scrumptious southwestern cheese blend, wrapped in bacon, then grilled to perfection! The entire recipe goes from prep to plate in 30 minutes and is the perfect addition to your summer barbecue.

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Sweet & Crunchy Bacon Crackers

<p>MARK BOUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY / STYLING BY CALLIE BLOUNT</p>

MARK BOUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY / STYLING BY CALLIE BLOUNT

This snack is just the thing for holiday get-togethers. Be sure to remove the crackers immediately from the rack, or the cheese will stick as it cools.

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Bacon Ranch Flatbread Pizza

<p>Mittera Creative Services</p>

Mittera Creative Services

This recipe from NBC’s The Biggest Loser chef Devin Alexander uses lavash, a Middle Eastern flatbread that contains fewer carbs than traditional crust. Find it near hummus and pita in the deli section of the grocery store.

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Bacon-Wrapped Grilled Chicken Wings

<p>Mark Boughton Photography</p>

Mark Boughton Photography

This chicken wing recipe is inspired by a bacon-wrapped, barbecue-sauce glazed chicken treat served to Dallas Cowboys fans.

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Bacon Ice Cream

<p>Lucy Schaeffer</p>

Lucy Schaeffer

This maple ice cream has pieces of bacon bark coated in semisweet chocolate.

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Slow Cooker Bacon Cheese Dip

<p>Clare Barboza/Bonnie Matthews</p>

Clare Barboza/Bonnie Matthews

Slow Cooker Bacon Cheese Dip is perfect for game day, holiday gatherings and more. Sharp cheddar cheese, tangy cream cheese and salty bacon come together for an easy appetizer your friends and family won't be able to get enough of. This cheese dip recipe melts and warms in the slow cooker so you don't have to worry about standing and stirring a pot over the stove. Tortilla chips are a great dip vessel, but for this dip, slices of toasted French bread would also work well.

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Quick Breakfast Quesadilla

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

Transform your family's mornings with this quick and satisfying breakfast quesadilla. You can make this a.m. meal all in one skillet.

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Easiest Ever Cheddar Bacon Popcorn

<p>Georgeann Bell</p>

Georgeann Bell

Movie night just got an Americana upgrade—popcorn doused in cheese and bacon—thanks to this recipe from Georgeanne Bell, a food blogger at lilaloa.com and author of the new cookbook Gourmet Popcorn.

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Keto Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Thighs

<p>Andrew Purcell</p>

Andrew Purcell

This is one of those dishes where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Bacon and chicken thighs are both delicious, obviously, but bacon-wrapped chicken thighs? Fabulous!

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Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple Mozzarella Rings

<p>Ken Goodman</p>

Ken Goodman

These Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple Mozzarella Rings take backyard cookouts to the next level. The saltiness of the bacon combines with the sweetness of the pineapple, the tang of the onion and the gooeyness of the cheese for a mouthwatering creation.

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Bacon-Wrapped Onion Rings

<p>Ken Goodman</p>

Ken Goodman

This bacon-y twist on onion rings is irresistible. Serve ’em up with sriracha dipping sauce and watch them disappear.

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Breakfast Club Flatbread Sandwich

This recipe yields enough to feed a small army! To serve 4-6, divide accordingly.

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Peanut Butter Bacon Burger

<p>Mark Boughton Photography / styling by Teresa Blackburn</p>

Mark Boughton Photography / styling by Teresa Blackburn

This recipe for a peanut butter bacon burger, from the new Shake Shack cookbook, has only ever been served — officially — at the popular chain twice. But in-the-know-patrons hack it with the bacon hamburger and a side of peanut butter sauce. It's a simple, yet delicious combo.

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Savory Bacon Biscuits

<p>Photo: Getty Images</p>

Photo: Getty Images

Bacon gets folded into a simple biscuit batter to create this fast and savory side.

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Bacon & Chive Pinwheels are the 3-Ingredient Appetizer That Basically Makes Itself

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

Bacon and chive pinwheels are always a hit at holidays. These savory 3-ingredient snacks are great for feeding last-minute guests too. Make them with chive and onion cream cheese or your favorite flavor.

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Bacon Baked Beans

<p>Krista Marshall</p>

Krista Marshall

Bacon makes everything better, right?! These bacon baked beans will be your go-to bean recipe every summer.

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Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

<p>iStockphoto</p>

iStockphoto

These bite-size appetizers only require three ingredients!

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Pan-Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon is the Easter Side Everyone Really Wants

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

This Brussels sprouts with bacon recipe will be life-changing. Something magical happens when the sprouts meet the salty, smoky bacon goodness. This quick-cooking dish is perfect for any busy night or as a simple holiday side.

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Over Easy BLT

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

In looking for easy, inexpensive meals, don’t forget the eggs that are probably in your refrigerator! Eggs and bacon are a naturally delicious duo, but when you add tomatoes, arugula, a touch of chili sauce, and some bread, you've got a BLT fit for a king.

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Related: 6 Bacon-Wrapped Appetizer Recipes for Super Bowl Sunday

Easy and Delicious Candied Bacon

The matriarch of A&E's Duck Dynasty has compiled some of her clan's favorite dishes in The Duck Commander Kitchen Presents Celebrating Family & Friends to inspire family gatherings all year-round. Miss Kay says, "Can bacon be any tastier? Yes, it can! Add sugar to it. The perfect side to any brunch, this bacon recipe will make everyone happy, happy, happy!"

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Bacon Ranch White Pizza

<p>Deanna Samaan</p>

Deanna Samaan

For this white pizza, bottled ranch dressing serves as the delicious base. The flavor of the ranch combined with the caramelized onions and bacon will make your mouth very, very happy!

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Breakfast Pizza With Bacon Crust

<p>We Are Not Martha</p>

We Are Not Martha

The dough for this breakfast pizza sits in the fridge overnight so the only thing you have to do morning-of is crack the egg and bake the pizza.

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Bacon and Beer Cheese Stuffed Brussels Sprouts

<p>Jackie Dodd</p>

Jackie Dodd

Brussels sprouts, those little green nutrient powerhouses, now sit at the cool kids' table in the vegetable aisle. It's only fitting that they join forces with craft beer. And bacon. There will be no Brussels sprouts haters left after this.

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Bacon & Corn Saute

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

This quick bacon and corn saute is super flavorful.

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Tucson’s Jalapeno Poppers

<p>iStockphoto</p>

iStockphoto

The food trucks of Tucson, Arizona, are famous for their Sonoran hot dogs, garnished with pinto beans, tomatoes, onions, mustard, hot sauce, and mayonnaise. But one side dish is just as stellar: these bacon-wrapped jalape?o poppers.

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Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp with Chipotle BBQ Sauce

<p>Guy Fieri</p>

Guy Fieri

Guy Fieri's bacon-wrapped shrimp with zesty chipotle sauce put ordinary shrimp cocktails to shame. You'll want these at every party you throw this summer.

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Cheddar Bacon Dip

<p>Mark Boughton Photography / styling by Teresa Blackburn</p>

Mark Boughton Photography / styling by Teresa Blackburn

This rich and creamy dip by Jocelyn Ruggiero, a blogger at Foodie Fatale, is perfect served with vegetable sticks.

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Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple-Bacon Butter

<p>Lori Lange</p>

Lori Lange

Roasted butternut squash with maple-bacon butter would be delicious with a turkey dinner, but it also makes a terrific side dish to pork, beef and chicken.

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Roasted Tomato-Bacon Jam

<p>MARK BOUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY / STYLING BY TERESA BLACKBURN</p>

MARK BOUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY / STYLING BY TERESA BLACKBURN

This summer, step up your burger game with easy toppings. Swap your ketchup for this sticky-sweet tomato and smoky bacon spread. Stack it with bacon, cheddar cheese, fried egg, pickles and lettuce.

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BLT Cheese Ball

<p>Seduction in the Kitchen/ Deanna Samaan</p>

Seduction in the Kitchen/ Deanna Samaan

Last minute invite to a party and not sure what to bring? That is a dilemma many face, especially during the holidays. A cheese ball is the simplest thing you can make and bring to an event. All you need is 30 minutes for it to chill and firm up in the fridge.

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Bacon Jam: The Only Condiment You Need

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

Bacon jam makes everything better! In this recipe, bacon is simmered with caramelized shallots, garlic, bourbon and maple syrup. Slather onto burgers, take your BLT to another level, top deviled eggs, or just spread onto crostini for an easy, tasty treat.

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Bacon Crostini

<p>Photo: iStockphoto </p>

Photo: iStockphoto

Crispy baguette slices are topped with bacon, blue cheese and parsley.

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Bacon Cheddar Puffs

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

This appetizer looks fancy, but it's really easy to make. You can prepare the dough a day in advance, and then bake it just before serving.

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Sandra Lee's Special BLT

<p>iStockphoto</p>

iStockphoto

“This is a whole melding of flavors,” Sandra Lee says. “You will never go back to a normal BLT after this.”

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Hit a Home Run with Homemade Bacon Chili Dogs

<p>Nisa Burns</p>

Nisa Burns

What better way to celebrate the start of baseball season than with another all-American classic: the hot dog. These bacon chili dogs take your typical dog from good to great.

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Warm Corn & Bacon Dip

<p>Everyday Mom's Meals</p>

Everyday Mom's Meals

This warm corn and bacon dip is a delicious appetizer. It is super easy to prepare and packed with flavor.

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Stuffed Bratwurst

<p>Dasha Wright</p>

Dasha Wright

These fun brats are wrapped in bacon and then grilled to crispy perfection. Garnish with mustard and parsley to add some color.

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Southwestern BLT

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

Chipotles in adobo mixed with mayo and spread on toast give this BLT a Southwestern twist. Take this sandwich to the top of your list with a couple of slices of avocado, and make it a tad healthier with lean turkey bacon.

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Bacon Swiss Burger

<p>Travis Rathbone</p>

Travis Rathbone

When it comes to ground beef, round may be leaner—but chuck is more flavorful. And with so many toppings, it’s sometimes smart to spread the ketchup on the bottom bun.

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Slow-Cooker Barbecue Baked Beans

<p>Rita Maas</p>

Rita Maas

This smoky side is a great addition to any summer backyard feast.

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Bacon, Sausage and Sauerkraut Pie

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

Bacon, Sausage and Sauerkraut Pie is a savory pie you can serve for weeknight dinners or holiday gatherings. Use your favorite pie crust or a pre-made frozen crust.

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Bacon-Wrapped Green Bean Bundles

<p>Devin Alexander</p>

Devin Alexander

This bacon-wrapped green bean recipe is a fun, easy appetizer and a perfect example of what you might consider making the next time a bacon craving strikes.

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John Wayne Would Approve of This Sweet and Tangy Pineapple Bacon Coleslaw

<p>Mark Boughton/Styling by Teresa Blackburn</p>

Mark Boughton/Styling by Teresa Blackburn

All you need is a handful of ingredients to make this pineapple bacon coleslaw from The Official John Wayne 5-Ingredient Homestyle Cookbook. Pineapple adds sweet tang, making this slaw a great side with rich ribs.

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Bacon and Egg Tostadas Are a Quick, Crunchy and Satisfying Weekend Breakfast

<p>MARK BOUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY / STYLING BY TERESA BLACKBURN</p>

MARK BOUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY / STYLING BY TERESA BLACKBURN

Tostadas have a satisfying crunch and make a hearty breakfast—or breakfast for dinner—when piled high with toppings. To cook all the bacon at once, place strips in a single layer on a foil-lined sheet pan and bake at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until crispy.

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Bacon and Shrimp Carbonara

<p>Jon Ashton</p>

Jon Ashton

In this riff on the classic Italian spaghetti carbonara, PARADE chef Jon Ashton adds quick-cooked shrimp. The result is a creamy, saucy pasta that’s quick enough for a weeknight, but special enough to serve company.

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Loaded Boiled Potatoes with Bacon

<p>What's Cookin Italian Style Cuisine</p>

What's Cookin Italian Style Cuisine

Sharp cheddar cheese pairs perfectly with salty, crispy bacon in this easy side dish. This recipe can easily be adjusted for the size of your family or the number of guests you're serving. Plan on cooking one medium potato per person.

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BBQ Bacon Cheese Dip Appetizer

<p>Nisa Burns</p>

Nisa Burns

This bacon cheese dip appetizer is quick and easy to make and is seriously addictive. Depending on the size of your gathering, you might want to consider doubling the recipe—it tends to disappear! Serve it cold with a basket of chips.

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BLT Salad with Ranch

<p>Antonis Achilleos</p>

Antonis Achilleos

Be sure not to overcook the bacon for this BLT salad with ranch. Seven minutes is just right.

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BLT Linguine

<p>Matthew Meade</p>

Matthew Meade

This is the perfect toss-it-all-together weekday meal. Scallions stand in for the usual BLT greens in this pasta dish. If you’re looking to trim fat, substitute low- or no-fat plain Greek-style yogurt for the cream cheese and about six pieces of thinly sliced prosciutto for the bacon.

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Bacon and Corn Frittata

<p>Jon Ashton</p>

Jon Ashton

Corn, bacon and cheese make for a winning brunch or supper combo in this frittata.

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20-Minute Cheesy-Bacon Farfalle with Peas

<p>Chad Elick</p>

Chad Elick

Bacon cheese sauce over farfalle and peas is loaded with flavor and goes from prep to plate in just 20 minutes.

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BLT-rific Mac 'n Cheese

You'll get plenty of veggies from this BLT-inspired macaroni and cheese.

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Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Chipotles

<p>Con Poulos</p>

Con Poulos

This creamy, dreamy casserole is a doozy for bacon and cheese-lovers alike.

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Potato, Bacon, and Sour Cream Frittata

<p>Jim Franco</p>

Jim Franco

Save time and money with this weeknight staple at only $0.85 per serving!

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Tyler Florence's Lunch Box BLT

<p>Getty Images</p>

Getty Images

"I try to keep my son Miles’ menus straightforward—but with a twist," says Food Network's Tyler Florence. "Here's one of his favorites: fresh heirloom tomatoes sliced thick, with buffalo mozzarella and a touch of fresh pesto. If he happens to trade what I made for him when he gets to school, it’s a great way to break the ice with the girls!"

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Anne Burrell's Killer Mac and Cheese with Bacon

<p>Ben Fink</p>

Ben Fink

If there's one thing Anne Burrell, host of Food Network's Worst Cooks in America, hates, it's bad mac and cheese. "Great mac and cheese should be creamy and tangy and luscious," says Burrell. "This recipe is what mac and cheese should be—and it's got bacon!"

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Potato Bacon Omelet

<p>Lucy Schaeffer</p>

Lucy Schaeffer

Crisp bacon lends its smokey flavors to hash browns to create a tasty omelet filling.

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Cheese & Bacon Scramble in Mini-Pitas

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

These pitas are the perfect quick breakfast for your whole family.

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Related: How to Make Perfectly Crunchy Bacon in the Oven

Yummy Bacon Macaroni and Cheese

<p>Nisa Burns</p>

Nisa Burns

This is a true comfort food dish (read: lots of butter included) that's simply delicious. For the cheese, you can use just cheddar, or a mix of cheeses—whatever you like!

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Potato Apple Bacon Sausage Casserole with Irish Butter

<p>Bridget Lappert</p>

Bridget Lappert

Potato-apple-bacon-sausage casserole with Irish butter is a comforting casserole that will be a winter favorite.

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Light Bacon Chicken Wraps

<p>Lucy Schaeffer</p>

Lucy Schaeffer

These wraps are lightened up, but are still satisfying and packed with flavor.

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Green Pea Soup with Bacon

<p>iStockphoto</p>

iStockphoto

Chopped bacon gives this green pea soup some extra texture and flavor.

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Bronco Buster Burger

<p>Josh Power Photography</p>

Josh Power Photography

Stephanie Yost's blue-ribbon burger is big in size and on taste. With jalape?os, barbecue sauce, bacon and ranch dressing—to name just a few of its many toppings—each beefy bite is at once hot, sweet, salty and cool. It's no wonder this took first place at the National Hamburger Festival!

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Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

<p>Getty</p>

Getty

Tom Colicchio, famous restauranteur, cookbook author and head judge of Bravo's Top Chef, shares the recipe for his favorite holiday side dish, bacon and all.

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Broccoli & Bacon Stuffed Baked Potatoes

<p>Everyday Mom's Meals</p>

Everyday Mom's Meals

These broccoli and bacon stuffed baked potatoes can be served with a nice grilled steak for an amazing side or with a simple tossed salad so the potato is the star of the meal. Piled high with broccoli, bacon and cheese, you know these stuffed baked potatoes are going to be delicious!

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Rise and Shine: Mini Breakfast Casseroles

<p>Jessica Smith</p>

Jessica Smith

These Mini Breakfast Casseroles can be made ahead and transferred to the oven in the morning. They're made in the same manner as bread pudding, stuffing, or strata. Cubed day-old bread is soaked in an egg and milk mixture and tossed in your favorite fillings. Refrigerate overnight, and wake up to a weekend-worthy breakfast that requires only as much effort as turning on the oven.

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Bacon-Touched Carrots and Turnips

<p>Clare Barboza/Bonnie Matthews</p>

Clare Barboza/Bonnie Matthews

Bacon-Touched Carrots and Turnips is a simple side dish that's ready in 2o to 30 minutes. Stir-frying thinly sliced root vegetables in bacon drippings makes them crisp, flavorful and the perfect accompaniment to roasted chicken or turkey.

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