This Mediterranean Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole is a cheesy and healthier baked dish. We prepare this healthy casserole with lean ground beef, turkey bacon, cauliflower, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, Greek yogurt, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, olive oil, garlic, onion, Dijon mustard, tomato paste, and Mediterranean herbs. This healthy casserole contains approximately 8 g net carbs and 465 calories. We bake this healthy casserole for approximately one hour. This Mediterranean Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole is an excellent choice for busy weeknight dinners, meal prep, family meals, potlucks, cozy weekend lunches, and high-protein Mediterranean meal plans. This healthy casserole remains fresh in the refrigerator for 4 days and can be frozen for 3 months, so you can prepare it earlier. You can serve this casserole with a Greek Salad, Roasted Broccoli, Garlic Green Beans, Whole Wheat Pita Bread, or a Cucumber Yogurt Salad.
STATS:
- Prep Duration: 20 minutes
- Cuisine: American
- Calories: 465 kcal
- Diet: Mediterranean, High-Protein
- Course: Main Course
- Cook Duration: 35 minutes
- Serving Size: About 1½ cups
- Cooking Mode: Oven
- Servings: 6
- Difficulty: Easy
- Total Duration: 55 minutes
TOOLS:
- Baking dish
- Skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Bowl
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cheese grater
INGREDIENTS:
- 1½ lbs. ground beef
- 6 slices of turkey bacon
- Two tbsp. olive oil
- One yellow onion
- Three cloves garlic
- 1 red bell pepper
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 cups cauliflower florets
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp sea salt
- Dijon mustard, one tbsp.
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1½ cups cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp parsley
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- Pickle slices
INGREDIENT NOTES AND THEIR SUBSTITUTIONS:
GROUND BEEF:
- We use lean ground beef to give this casserole its classic cheeseburger flavor while keeping it lower in fat. Utilize ground turkey or plant-based ground meat as a different option.
TURKEY BACON:
- Compared to conventional bacon, turkey bacon has less fat and offers a delicious, smokey flavor. You can also use beef bacon, chicken bacon, or smoked turkey.
OLIVE OIL:
- Olive oil improves the casserole’s overall flavor and offers nutritious Mediterranean fats. As an alternative, you may utilize vegetable or avocado oil.
YELLOW ONION:
- Yellow onion adds natural sweetness and depth of flavor to the dish. Instead, you can use white onion, red onion, or shallots.
GARLIC:
- Garlic gives the casserole a rich, savory taste and aroma. As a replacement, you can use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
RED BELL PEPPER:
- Red bell pepper gives color and a slight crunchy texture to this casserole. You may substitute it with green, yellow, or orange bell peppers.
CAULIFLOWER:
- We use cauliflower to add fiber and a hearty texture while keeping the casserole Mediterranean-inspired. You can also use broccoli, zucchini, mushrooms, or eggplant.
CHERRY TOMATOES:
- Cherry tomatoes provide freshness, moisture, and a slightly sweet flavor. Alternatively, you can use Roma tomatoes or grape tomatoes.
GREEK YOGURT:
- Greek yogurt makes the casserole creamy while adding extra protein. We could use cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, or light sour cream instead.
CHEDDAR CHEESE:
- Cheddar cheese gives the casserole its rich, classic cheeseburger flavor. You can replace it with Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or Gouda.
MOZZARELLA CHEESE:
- Mozzarella creates a soft, gooey, melted cheese topping. As an alternative, you can use Provolone or Fontina cheese.
PARSLEY:
- Fresh parsley adds color and a bright, fresh finish to the casserole. Utilize dill or chives as a further choice.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- First, grease the dish and warm the oven to 375°F.
- Cook the turkey bacon till it gets crispy, then chop it well.
- Warm olive oil in the skillet and cook the ground beef till it gets brown.
- Cook bell pepper, onion, garlic, & cauliflower for 8 minutes.
- Then add oregano, paprika, salt, Dijon mustard, tomato puree, pepper, and cherry tomatoes to cook for two minutes.
- Put the mixture in the dish and sprinkle chopped bacon on top.
- Include cheddar and mozzarella cheese, then bake for 30 minutes.
- Lastly, cool the dish for five minutes, then garnish with parsley and sesame seeds on top.
TIPS:
- You can eat this casserole with dill pickles for a real cheeseburger flavor.
- Also utilize mushrooms or spinach for additional veggies.
- We include freshly grated cheese for perfect melting.
- Make uniform-sized pieces veggies by cutting.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
FRESH SALADS:
- Greek Salad
- Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
- Arugula Lemon Salad
- Mixed Garden Salad
VEGETABLE SIDE DISHES:
- Garlic Roasted Broccoli
- Grilled Zucchini
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Lemon Herb Asparagus
- Sautéed Green Beans
BREAD & GRAIN SIDES:
- Whole Wheat Pita Bread
- Garlic Herb Flatbread
- Brown Rice Pilaf
- Quinoa Salad
- Mediterranean Couscous
LIGHT MEDITERRANEAN SIDES:
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Hummus with Vegetable Sticks
- Marinated Olives
- Stuffed Grape Leaves
- Roasted Red Pepper Dip
STORAGE INFORMATION:
FRIDGE:
- Put this healthy casserole in a closed box and stock it for just 3 days.
FREEZER:
- Store this healthy casserole for nearly two to three months.
FAQS:
Is this dish good to prepare early?
- Yes, you may refrigerate the assembled casserole and bake when need to serve.
Is ground turkey a great choice for this recipe?
- Yes, you may use it as a lean substitute in the recipe.
Can I exclude bacon from this meal?
- Yes, it still tastes delicious even without the bacon.
Does this recipe contains gluten?
- No, if you use certified gluten-free ingredients in the dish.
Why do I feel the dish is watery?
- Cook the vegetables then bake and cool the casserole for 5 minutes after baking to keep it fresh.
NUTRITIONAL FACTS:
Calories: 465 kcal
Sodium: 690 mg
Net Carbs: 8 g
Fiber: 3 g
Sugar: 5 g
Fat: 31 g
Protein: 35 g
Serving Size: 1½ cups
Total Carbs: 11 g