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!
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!
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.)
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!
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.Â
You CAN taste the mustard in the dip, so if you have mustard-haters in your house just skip it!
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!
Add 1/2 cup each shredded mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese, and 3/4 of the cooked bacon.Â
Mix until combined then scoop into a 9″ pie plate and top with 1/4 cup more mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Â
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
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
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!
yolanda 05.10.2014
this sounds awesome! do you think it would work in a crockpot?
Kristin 05.12.2014
I bet it would!
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Marcie 03.19.2014
Can you make this ahead and refrigerate then finish in the oven the next day?
Kristin 03.20.2014
I think that’d be fine! I might tack an extra few minutes onto the baking time since everything will be cold. Better yet, I’d let the baking dish sit on the counter for 15 minutes before baking. Hope that helps!
Whitney 01.14.2014
It could be lightened up even more using low fat cheese and ground turkey instead of beef. I just made this for my office potluck tomorrow and from what I tasted, it is amazing!!! I might have to make another batch just for my family!
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Stephanie @ Plain Chicken 10.20.2013
WOW! I could eat this as a meal. Looks amazing.
Chelsea @ Chelsea Eats Treats 10.18.2013
Hi Kristin! This looks great!! I will definitely have to make this in the next few weeks! Quick question though, is there a reason you tend to use shallots in your recipes (especially lately) instead of just using say, half an onion?
Iowa Girl Eats 10.19.2013
I actually use them because onions hurt Ben’s stomach! Plus we like the taste a lot – kind of a mild onion flavor. :)
Chelsea @ Chelsea Eats Treats 10.21.2013
Good to know!! Thanks! :)
Monique @ Burpeestobubbly 10.17.2013
Wow! What a delicious dip. My sister made your lightened up buff chicken dip and we’ve all been raving about it!
PS I nominated you for the Liebster blog award: http://burpeestobubbly.com/2013/10/17/the-liebster-blog-award-questions-answers/
Shirley Wood 10.17.2013
Goodness gracious! I’m going to create some reason to make this for my family! Printing it now!
Emily @ Life on Food 10.17.2013
Oh yum!! I always have big plans for Sunday and then just end up on the couch. I kind of like it though.
Nancy Degner 10.16.2013
Yummmmm! Love the idea of making a great flavor combination healthier. Maybe a few chopped dill pickles on top??
Karla 10.16.2013
I usually don’t comment but I love love your recipes. Today I picked the Holiday edition of Better Homes and Gardens and you are in it! What a nice surprise! Congrats :) (p. 8, No Bake Butterscotch Bars).
ashley @ sunnysideshlee.com 10.16.2013
Yum! This looks amazing!
Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg 10.16.2013
Lightened up and with bacon, that’s the ticket!
Tamara 10.16.2013
Ooh, yay!! I was really hoping there would be a recipe associated with that dip when you mentioned it the other day. :) This sounds fantastic!
April 10.16.2013
You have the BEST food photography!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope 10.16.2013
YES. PLEASE. That is all ;)
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious 10.16.2013
I could drown myself in this! And I love the lightened up option with Greek yogurt!
Jen 10.15.2013
Have you tried the new greek yogurt cream cheese instead of the 1/3 less fat? It is to die for. A little sweeter, but very good. Kroger brand stores have it, not sure which branch of grocery stores have it in Iowa.
Iowa Girl Eats 10.16.2013
NO! That sounds amazing! What brand is it?