🧀🥓 Mediterranean Bacon Cheeseburger Queso Dip
📖 Description:
A rich, creamy queso dip loaded with ground beef or lamb, smoky bacon, red onion, garlic, and warm Mediterranean spices like oregano and paprika. This crowd-pleasing dip is perfect for parties, game days, or indulgent snacking — served hot with veggies, chips, or even low-carb bread for a keto-friendly option.**
📝 Ingredients:
🔸 For the Dip Base:
- 8 oz ground beef or lamb
- 4 slices of bacon, chopped
- 1 small red onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
🔸 For the Queso Cheese Sauce:
- 2 tbsp cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
- ½ cup heavy cream (or half and half)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
🔸 Optional Garnishes:
- Chopped fresh parsley or mint
- Crumbled feta (for a true Mediterranean twist)
- Diced tomatoes or olives
- A drizzle of olive oil
🥄 Instructions:
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside, reserving 1–2 tsp of the bacon fat.
- In the same skillet, sauté onion in the bacon fat until soft (2–3 minutes), then add garlic, and cook 30 seconds more.
- Add ground beef or lamb and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute to let the spices bloom.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream cheese, letting it melt fully into the meat.
- Gradually pour in heavy cream, then add shredded cheeses, stirring until melted and creamy.
- Stir the crispy bacon back into the dip.
- Serve warm, garnished with parsley, feta, or a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
💡 Notes:
- Mozzarella gives you a classic queso stretch, while cheddar adds sharp flavor.
- Lamb brings a bold Mediterranean flavor, but ground beef is delicious and milder.
- You can make this in advance and reheat over low heat or in a slow cooker.
✅ Tips:
- For a thinner dip, add more cream gradually.
- Keep warm in a small slow cooker or warming dish at parties.
- Add heat with red pepper flakes, chopped jalapeños, or harissa paste.
- Serve with pita chips, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, or low-carb tortillas.
🍽️ Servings:
Makes 6–8 appetizer servings
🔢 Nutritional Info (Per Serving, Approximate – based on 8 servings):
- Calories: ~280
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 24g
- Carbs: 2–4g (mostly from onion and cheese)
- Fiber: <1g
- Sugar: <2g
(Will vary based on cheese and cream used.)
🌟 Benefits:
- ✅ High-protein and keto-friendly
- ✅ Rich in calcium and B-vitamins
- ✅ Naturally gluten-free
- ✅ Satiating, great for low-carb diets
- ✅ Great party food with a gourmet twist
❓Q&A:
Q: Can I make this without bacon?
A: Yes! Use olive oil to sauté the onions and garlic for a more Mediterranean approach, or add chopped olives for umami.
Q: Is it spicy?
A: Not by default. For heat, add chili flakes or cayenne.
Q: Can I reheat leftovers?
A: Yes. Store in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat slowly on the stovetop or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
Q: What can I serve it with?
A: Cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, pita chips, cheese crisps, or even spooned over grilled meats!