Lighter Bacon Cheeseburger Dip | iowagirleats.com

In the past the idea of Sunday Funday sounded more appealing to me in name rather than in practice. Sure, sipping beers while watching football games at a sports bar, or spending the afternoon at the movies sounded like lots of fun, but the thought of waking up on Monday in a fog and/or having nothing prepared for the week kept me mostly home-bound at the tail end of the weekend for years.

What a lame existence, right?!

Over the past year or so I’ve come to my senses and tried to expand my horizons by getting out and about on Sundays. Movies, shopping, exercising, hanging out with friends and family – life is too short to stay home worrying about Monday, which is coming whether I’m ready for it or not.

Last week the boys and I headed over to a friends house to watch some NFL and let the kids play together. In between dominating a slightly too competitive game of carpet hockey against Ben and a 4 year old, I sampled yummy pumpkin beers (have you tried O’Fallon’s? Tastes like pumpkin bread!) and snacked on a tasty, creamy Cheeseburger Dip which I just knew could be easily lightened up without sacrificing flavor.

Behold, Lighter Bacon Cheeseburger Dip!

Lighter Bacon Cheeseburger Dip | iowagirleats.com

Lean ground beef is mixed with classic cheeseburger fixin’s like ketchup, mustard (which is optional for you mustard haters!) and cheese, then combined with 1/3 less-fat cream cheese in place of full fat, plain Greek yogurt in place of sour cream, and a whole lot less bacon than the original recipe called for. Calm down, there’s still plenty of bacon!

The result is a thick, creamy, and hearty dip that tastes just like a bacon cheeseburger – only lighter. You’ll love it!

Lighter Bacon Cheeseburger Dip | iowagirleats.com

Start by getting that aforementioned bacon sizzling away. Chop 4 slices bacon (compared to the original recipe’s 10!) then cook in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain then discard the bacon grease (or save it if that’s your thing.)

Lighter Bacon Cheeseburger Dip | iowagirleats.com

I know I say this every time but it bears repeating – pour your bacon grease into a foil-lined bowl then crumple and throw away when it hardens. Easy!

Lighter Bacon Cheeseburger Dip | iowagirleats.com

Turn the heat up to medium-high then in the same skillet brown 3/4lb 90/10 ground beef with 1 large chopped shallot and 2 minced garlic cloves. Finally, stir in 1 Tablespoon worcestershire sauce, 2 Tablespoons ketchup and 1 Tablespoon mustard. 

You CAN taste the mustard in the dip, so if you have mustard-haters in your house just skip it!

Lighter Bacon Cheeseburger Dip | iowagirleats.com

Pour the ground beef mixture into a large bowl then add 4oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese and 4oz plain non-fat Greek yogurt. You cannot go wrong with these two substitutions in this dip. The taste is the same for less fat and calories!

Lighter Bacon Cheeseburger Dip | iowagirleats.com

Add 1/2 cup each shredded mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese, and 3/4 of the cooked bacon. 

Lighter Bacon Cheeseburger Dip | iowagirleats.com

Mix until combined then scoop into a 9″ pie plate and top with 1/4 cup more mozzarella and cheddar cheese.  

Lighter Bacon Cheeseburger Dip | iowagirleats.com

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-17 minutes, or until hot, golden brown, and bubbly then top with the remaining bacon, chopped scallions, and fresh tomato. Throw some chopped lettuce on there if you please…I just have a thing about not loving hot lettuce. You understand!

Lighter Bacon Cheeseburger Dip | iowagirleats.com

Lighter Bacon Cheeseburger Dip

Lighter Bacon Cheeseburger Dip is decadent and mouthwatering, but lighter than traditional creamy dips!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 301 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 slices bacon chopped
  • 3/4 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 large shallot or small onion chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 Tablespoon mustard optional
  • 1 Tablespoon worcestershire sauce
  • 4 oz 1/3 less-fat cream cheese at room temperature
  • 4 oz plain non-fat Greek yogurt
  • 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese divided
  • 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
  • Toppings: green onions, tomato, lettuce

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside then pour out bacon fat from skillet and discard (or save.)
  • Turn heat up to medium-high then add ground beef, shallot, and garlic to skillet. Season with salt and pepper then cook until beef is no longer pink. Drain if necessary then return to skillet and stir in ketchup, mustard, and worcestershire sauce. Pour ground beef mixture into a large bowl.
  • Add cream cheese, Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup each mozzarella and cheddar cheese, and 3/4 of the cooked bacon to the bowl then mix to combine. Spread in a 9" pie pan then top with remaining cheese. Bake for 15-17 minutes or until cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Top with remaining bacon and optional toppings then serve.

Notes

  • You can assemble and stash in the fridge then bake when ready to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 301kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 24gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 500mgPotassium: 378mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 377IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 234mgIron: 2mg
Keyword gluten free
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Lighter Bacon Cheeseburger Dip | iowagirleats.com

This dip is great piping hot out of the oven, or cooled down more towards room temperature. Serve with chips and veggies for football games, parties, potlucks, or your next Sunday funday! Enjoy!

Lighter Bacon Cheeseburger Dip | iowagirleats.com