Bacon Makes Everything Better

Recipe: Fettuccine Alfredo with Leeks and Peas

Homemade Alfredo sauce is the way to go, especially when you add bacon.

Recipe: Creamy Rice with Scallops

Bacon adds a smoky, salty flavor to the sweet corn and scallops.

Recipe: Pork Chops with Tomato-Bacon Gravy

This entire meal comes together in under an hour and is full of flavor.

Recipe: Bacon-Hash Brown Quiche

Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner—this crunchy bacon and hash brown crust is amazing.

Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breasts

The kids will gladly give up their chicken fingers for this delicious meal.

Recipe: Shrimp Cobb Salad with Bacon Dressing

Bacon topping is a salad is good. Bacon dressing is even better.

Recipe: BLT Salad

Bake the croutons and bacon together on the same baking sheet. This rustic salad only take 20 minutes to whip up and, trust us, the results are well worth the effort. You might be tempted to go for the store-bought stuff, but homemade buttermilk dressing will really kick this salad up a notch.

Recipe: The SL BLT

Punch up store-bought mayonnaise with these flavor-boosting ideas: For extra tang and heat, zest a small lemon and grind lots of black pepper into the mayo. For a hint of green, chop a small handful of tender herbs—parsley, basil, tarragon, dill—and fold them into the mayo.

Recipe: Party Poppers

This quick and easy appetizer, with just a few ingredients and even fewer steps, will make entertaining easy without the hassle of fussing over the oven all day and night. For those who like it hot, swap mini sweet peppers for spicy jalapeños.

Recipe: Creamy Baked Eggs with Herbs and Bacon

Make this savory one pan dish a complete meal and serve with toasted bread and a leafy green side salad.

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon

Sweet potatoes are often a part of Thanksgiving, and this recipe gives you a new twist on that classic flavor. Orange juice gives this dish a little sweetness, while pieces of crumbled bacon will give you something to savor, and rosemary will give it an aroma all its own. Delicious together, this sweet-and-salty side could not be easier to prep on Thanksgiving morning. Best part? It's made in the slow cooker, so you're saving valuable stovetop space. When you’re ready to serve it, sprinkle a mixture of parsley, orange zest, and garlic over the top: you’ll get just the right amount of herbs, spice, and bite in every mouthful.

Recipe: Chicken-Broccoli Mac and Cheese with Bacon

A little bit of turmeric enhances the color here; it's a bit of a trick that makes you perceive the sauce as cheesier than it actually is.

Recipe: Buttermilk-Lady Pea Soup with Bacon

Even served warm, buttermilk has a cooling effect on the palate, just right for summer meals.

Recipe: Brisket Tacos with Summer Salsa

Slow-cooker beef brisket and crunchy fruit summer salsa make these tacos a perfect blend of savory and sweet.

To get the coatings to stick, bring your bacon to room temperature before dredging.

Watch: How To Make Bacon for a Crowd

Recipe: Southwest Cornmeal Bacon
Recipe: Pecan-Rosemary Bacon
Recipe: BBQ Bacon

Recipe: The Ultimate Fried Egg Sandwich with BBQ Bacon

Clumsy? Skip the flip, and finish your fried egg under the broiler for 1-2 minutes.

Recipe: Mustard Greens with Yogurt-Parmesan Dressing and Bacon Croutons

To tenderize mustard greens and mellow their fiery flavor, dress the raw greens about 15 minutes before serving. If you prefer them spicy, drizzle the dressing at the table, as we suggest in the recipe.

Recipe: Bacon-and-Cheddar Grits Quiche

Spread cheese to the edge of the warm, bacony grits "crust" to prevent any custard from seeping out while the quiche bakes.

Watch: Bacon-and-Cheddar Grits Quiche

Recipe: Peas and Kale Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette

Ensure every day is a lucky and prosperous one when you serve this hearty Southern salad.

Recipe: Bacon-Fig Tassies

Pinched for time? Swap the dough for frozen mini-phyllo pastry shells.

Recipe: Hot Bacon Caprese Salad

Update the Italian tomato salad with a rich, tart dressing.

Recipe: Arugula with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette

"Mama always said, 'Eat your greens,' so start brunch off with a simple salad. The warm vinaigrette melts the goat cheese, creating a magical creamy dressing."

Recipe: Braised Cabbage with Apple and Bacon

Humble cabbage is an affordable and easy holiday side. Make it more elegant by braising red cabbage with apple slices. Adding bacon makes it delicious.

Recipe: Loaded Chicken-Bacon Pot Pie

You can’t go wrong with Chicken Pot Pie. You can’t go wrong with Bacon. This high-rating recipe combines both for a classic Southern dish that your family will request over and over again. Deli-roasted chicken and puff pastry shortcut time without cutting flavor; Thick, sizzling bacon slices, dry white wine, and mustard give the gravy and vegetables a savory punch. Want to know the secret for making the perfect potpie filling? Reserve the bacon drippings, and cook it in to the flour-based broth. You can make the mini version of this recipe by using ramekins instead of a baking dish.

Watch: Loaded Chicken-Bacon Pot Pie

Recipe: Cheesy Bacon-and-Two-Onion Tart

Complete this meal with Pea-and-Green Onion Soup.

Recipe: Bacon, Peach, and Basil Burgers

Nothing says summer in the South quite like peaches, and of course we think everything goes better with bacon, so the Bacon, Peach, and Basil Burgers are a fresh-off-the-fire sensation. We recommend ground sirloin here because it's lean, which causes fewer flare-ups on the grill. Chopped pickled jalapeños and their juice ramp up the flavor, while bacon, and tangy-sweet chutney balance the heat. Soft and creamy goat cheese, an unexpected addition, adds just the right amount of smooth flavor to these amazingly balanced burgers.

Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing

This salad combines the hearty crunchiness of Brussels sprouts with the delicate sweetness of thinly sliced red apples. Partner that with the smoky flavor of crisp bacon and you are well on the way to enjoying a delicious salad redolent with the flavors of autumn that would be amazing on your Thanksgiving table. Red onion adds a little spice. The lemon juice, mixed with the vinegar, bacon drippings, and Dijon mustard, adds a little tart bite. When tossed together, and seasoned with salt and pepper this salad is a delicate delight. Whole Brussels sprout leaves make beautiful little salad greens. If you are pressed for time, slice the Brussels sprouts instead of peeling them.

Recipe: Salty-Sweet Bacon Panini

Melt-in-your-mouth Salty-Sweet Bacon Panini goes over the top with the paring of salty bacon and sweet apple butter with melty Brie on top of raisin-walnut bread.

Recipe: Pork with Apples, Bacon, and Sauerkraut

Thinly sliced pancetta (unsmoked Italian bacon cured with salt and spices) and a few quick twists of kitchen string turn an inexpensive pork loin into a party-worthy dish.

Recipe: Pimiento Cheese-Bacon Burger

Dress up our Best Beef Burgers with fresh herbs and a hearty scoop of pimiento cheese and bacon.

Watch: The Best Way To Make a Hamburger

Recipe: Green Beans With Mushrooms and Bacon

We loved the dash of dried crushed red pepper—it made the flavor lively, not hot.

Enjoy this colorful dish warm or chilled; leftovers are perfect for a brown bag lunch the next day. Add grilled shrimp kabobs and a crispy Sauvignon Blanc for a relaxing meal with friends.

• Recipe: Springtime Pasta with Bacon

Recipe: BLT Benedict with Avocado-Tomato Relish

Sunny-side up or sliced boiled eggs would work just as well as poached eggs for this dish you've got to try.

This is a delicious partner for grilled fish. Don't forget fresh crusty bread to soak up every bit of the warm vinaigrette.

• Recipe: Mango-Spinach Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette

Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Chicken with Basil Lima Beans

A basil puree makes a quick sauce for chicken and lima beans.

Recipe: Grilled Balsamic-Molasses Bacon

Tie fresh rosemary sprigs to the handle of a wooden spoon with garden sisal or kitchen string, and use as an aromatic basting brush for the bacon.

Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes with Queso Blanco Dip

These hearty bites will become your signature party dish. You can keep the queso blanco warm in a fondue pot or 1-qt. slow cooker.

Recipe: Pork with Apples, Bacon, and Sauerkraut

Thinly sliced pancetta (unsmoked Italian bacon cured with salt and spices) and a few quick twists of kitchen string turn an inexpensive pork loin into a party-worthy dish.

Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp

Upgrade a typical holiday shrimp cocktail by wrapping the juicy bites in satisfyingly salty bacon.

Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits

Replace the traditional pastry crust in chicken pot pie with homemade biscuits – trust us, the added cook time is worth it. These homemade buttery biscuits are made with sharp Cheddar cheese, chopped bacon, and chives, making them just as tasty solo as atop this chicken pot pie. The biscuits are filled with a buttery, flour-based, creamy filling of sautéed mushroom, chicken, bacon, chives, and hash browns. Want to take the flavor to the next level? Cook the bacon yourself and save the drippings; add a tablespoon (or two) into the pot pie filling for a savory, smoky flavoring. This elaborate meal is perfect for holidays or potlucks.

Recipe: Maple Bacon Cupcakes

Bite into these cupcakes and you'll taste the flavor you get when bacon mingles with syrup while eating pancakes. It's a wonderful salty-sweet combination you won't want to miss.

Recipe: Bacon-Peanut Truffles

Your dreams have come true—candy that’s made with sweetened peanut butter and bacon and then dipped in chocolate. Oh, my.

Recipe: Chicken-and-Bacon Satay

A satay is an Indonesian version of kabobs: thinly sliced marinated meat grilled on a skewer and served with lip-licking peanut sauce.

Recipe: Bacon-Grits Fritters

Grits are treasured like gold in the South. These Bacon-Grits Fritters are the perfect Southern delicacy to introduce to your family and friends. Watch them quickly disappear.

Recipe: Bacon, Cheddar, and Chive Scones

This savory pastry treat made with fresh chives is a hit at holiday brunches.

Recipe: Bacon Pimiento Cheese

Spread homemade Bacon Pimiento Cheese on whole wheat bread with lettuce and tomato. Use leftover spread on crackers or celery for a snack.

Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Applewood Bacon

This recipe features a tasty blend of crisp, applewood bacon, tossed with cinnamon, brown sugar, and nutmeg.

Recipe: Chipotle-Bacon Mac and Cheese

Only 40 minutes of hands-on time and you can spice up your dinner with this delicious take on a classic comfort food.

Recipe: Bacon-Herb Cupcakes

Use a combination of parsley, thyme, and oregano, or sage, rosemary, basil, and chives for a savory and perfectly balanced nibble.

Recipe: Bacon-Infused Bourbon

Welcome to the Southerner’s perfect cocktail: bacon-flavored bourbon. All you need is a bottle of your favorite bourbon and some warm bacon grease.

Recipe: Cornmeal-and-Brown Sugar-Crusted Bacon

Dress up your bacon with this oh-so-Southern crispy coating. Once you've prepared it for the pan, you can stick the bacon in the oven and free your hands up to prepare other parts of your meal.

Bacon Cooking Basics

Recipe: Layered Lima Bean Dip

A hearty serving of Layered Lima Bean Dip clocks in at only 172 calories. Top lightly with shredded cheese and bacon. You’ll be surprised at how fast it will disappear.

Recipe: Home-Style Butterbeans

Bacon, onion, and brown sugar pack these beans with holiday flavor.

Recipe: Bacon Bow Tie Pasta

Ready in 20 Minutes
A homemade white sauce ready in 10 minutes? Yes, please. Round out the meal with a mixed green salad and lightly toasted Italian bread. You can lighten up the entrée by using reduced fat turkey bacon, 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, and 2% reduced-fat milk.

Recipe: Afterburners

These all-time favorite bite-sized peppers are delicious with Spicy Queso Dip.

Recipe: Blue Cheese-Bacon Dip

For the perfect low-stress starter, try this rich and creamy baked dip.

Tip: Bake Blue Cheese-Bacon Dip in four small baking dishes, and place throughout the party area.

Recipe: Hot Brown Panini

Hot Brown Panini combines turkey, bacon, tomato, and Swiss cheese in a pressed sandwich with White Cheese Sauce.

Recipe:Potato Cobb Salad

A twist on the traditional Cobb, this version uses Yukon gold potatoes in place of chicken. Cheddar and blue cheeses, bacon crumbles, and tomatoes pair with avocados to create a hearty meal.

Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Scallops

Serve these bite-size treats straight off the grill. Salty bacon is the perfect finish to the marinated, meaty scallops. Dip in Dot’s Tartar Sauce for an extra layer of flavor.

Recipe: Green Bean, Grape, and Pasta Toss

Crunchy green beans and crisp bacon are always a wonderful flavor pairing, and the addition of red grapes makes for a sweet surprise. Cook the penne pasta al dente so it holds up when tossed with the dressing and beans.

Recipe: Bacon-Onion Dip

Plan on this dish being scraped clean—few people can resist the combination of bacon, onions, and sour cream. Make a day ahead, and serve with a tray of colorful veggies.

Recipe: Bacon-Brown Sugar Brussels Sprouts

Lots of flavor—and only five ingredients—make this Brussels sprouts recipe a winner. Even reviewers who aren't sprouts fans like this version.

Recipe: Bacon Potato Salad

Potato salad with bacon is a delicious twist on a traditional summer side. Jazz up your presentation by serving this salad in paprika-rimmed glasses. (Simply dip the rims in lemon or lime juice, then into paprika.)