A food that many would say needs no introduction – bacon is that crispy, salty, and savory treat which pairs well with nearly everything. It has the power to upgrade any dish or ingredient into something to look forward to– and the beauty of it is you don’t need to be a chef or have kitchen skills to prepare it.
Bacon’s popularity has risen to the point that it has multiple days just to celebrate it, like world bacon day, national US bacon day, and even bacon lover’s day. But you don’t need an excuse to celebrate bacon any day of the year!
Minute Rice is all about convenience, so we’ve put together our top 13 favorite recipes with bacon for you to enjoy. Whether it’s a simple breakfast idea, lunch, dinner, a BBQ grilling side dish, or an anytime snack, there are plenty of ways to incorporate bacon into your meals.
The Best Ways to Cook Bacon
Before we share some incredible bacon-centric meal ideas, we have some tips on how to best cook bacon. Many recipes call for precooked bacon, and there are plenty of methods available to cook it no matter what supplies you have at home.
Classic Stovetop Method: You’ll need a frying pan and a fork or tongs for flipping until the bacon turns crispy and cooks through. Some experts say that for best results you should cook bacon starting in a cold pan and use low heat, but that all lies in preference.
Oven-Baked: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and place bacon in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Depending on the thickness and cut, your cook time will vary, but this method generally takes around 15 to 20 minutes.
Microwave: Yes, you can cook up crispy bacon in the microwave too! Try it for yourself with a microwave-safe plate covered with 1-3 paper towels on the bottom and 1-3 paper towels on the top to catch the excess grease. Cook in short intervals until cooked through.
Air Fryer: If you have this handy kitchen gadget, it can be a great method to cook bacon relatively quickly with no mess. Simply arrange bacon in a single layer in your air fryer, set it to 375 degrees and air fry the bacon until brown and crispy, flipping halfway through—it just takes about 7 to 9 minutes for regular bacon or 12 to 14 minutes for thick-cut bacon.
Reheat Cooked Bacon: If you’re not at home or have limited kitchen supplies, simply buy precooked bacon that you can reheat in the microwave.
Tasty Recipes With Bacon
When in doubt, always use one of these tasty bacon recipes!
Meat-Free Bacon Options: With so many plant-based bacon substitutes on the market, any of these tasty recipes can simply be substituted with a vegetarian or vegan alternative, if desired.
Cheesy Bacon Bites
First on the list, these irresistible cheesy and smoky Bacon Croquettes are made with fluffy Minute Instant White Rice and breadcrumbs for a hearty touch! Enjoy them for an appetizer, snack or side for dinner– don’t forget to pair with a marinara or Alfredo dipping sauce.
Hearty Bacon Breakfasts
Bacon and breakfast go hand-in-hand, and we have some bacon-forward breakfast recipes that are simple enough to make any day of the week. This Hearty Bacon and Egg Breakfast is the perfect way to start your morning, with filling Minute Instant Rice and Quinoa, crispy bacon, fluffy egg, and cheddar cheese all in a portable size you can take on the go. For a dose of veggies to start your day, add in a handful of spinach or chopped red bell pepper to the batter.
Another easy bacon breakfast that saves you time and hassle in the morning is this Quick Breakfast Skillet. This skillet combines the classic breakfast ingredients of bacon, egg, and cheese with a Minute Butter & Sea Salt Jasmine Rice Cup to pack in an extra layer of flavor. Plus, everything comes together in one skillet, so you can save some cleanup time in the morning.
Bacon can also be a great finishing touch to a breakfast dish, like this Wild Rice Scramble. Perfect for mornings when you’re on the go, this scramble uses a Minute Brown & Wild Rice Cup as a hearty, nutty base for scrambled eggs and shredded cheese. Topped with delicious crispy bacon bits, this breakfast is a great way to start your day!
Fresh Rice Salad with Bacon
Bacon works beautifully as a delicious salad topping, like in this Bacon and Egg Rice Salad. We’re moving beyond a classic Cobb salad for a simple meal made with a hearty base of a Minute White Rice Cup, arugula, grape tomatoes, bacon, egg and store-bought Italian dressing. Not only is it delicious, but you can put it together in just 5 minutes.
Ultimate BLT Combo
Just the sound of bacon, lettuce and tomato together is enough to make anyone’s mouth water, but we’ve upgraded the classic trio sandwich to a BLT Rice Salad. Unlike the traditional version of a BLT, this salad recipe is made with Minute Instant White Rice that’s been lightly sautéed with onion and cooked with savory bacon drippings for over the top bacon flavor in each bite.
Combine with fresh tomatoes, chopped lettuce, mayo, and you’re good to go.
Bacon and Brown Rice Frittata
Following the classic breakfast pairing of bacon and eggs, this tasty whole grain Brown Rice Frittata with Bacon and Edamame is made with thick-cut bacon sautéed in the pan where the other ingredients will cook to create a wonderful base of flavor. Prepare it for breakfast, brunch or cut into slices and make a hearty sandwich layered with the same scallion sour cream from the recipe.
Veggie Tip: Substitute the edamame for another cooked green vegetable such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, leeks or kale.
Bacon Casserole
Bacon enhances everything in its path, and this Oven-Baked Spinach and Bacon Casserole is no exception. Using condensed cream of mushroom soup, whole grain Minute Instant Brown Rice, bacon, and broth, this comforting meal is perfect for a weeknight dinner to keep you feeling full.
Creamy Risotto
Rich, creamy and filled with flavor, this fusion recipe of Chicken Carbonara Risotto combines two classic Italian recipes into one tasty dish. Made with you in mind, this risotto-inspired recipe is simple to make for anyone to try and incredibly delicious with the help of Minute Instant White Rice.
There’s more where that came from– try this Creamy Blue Cheese Risotto for another bacon-forward rice dish. Made with bacon, mushrooms, onions, and garlic sauteed in bacon drippings, Minute Instant White Rice and Parmesan cheese, this risotto is rich, delicious and easy to prepare.
Louisiana Jambalaya
This recipe is loaded with bold southern flavor! This Quick Chicken Jambalaya [1] may sound complicated, but our recipe utilizes pantry staples, like savory bacon, tender rotisserie chicken, barbecue sauce and canned diced tomatoes with our Minute Instant Premium Rice to achieve New Orleans taste in just 30 minutes.
Jalapeño Popper Rice
Bacon adds a savory crunch to this Jalapeño Popper Rice from recipe creator Purely Healthy Living. This dish is incredibly easy to prepare and brings a hint of heat thanks to Minute Jalapeño Rice Cups. If you have some leftover bacon on hand, this is the perfect easy meal to use it up!
Loaded Rice Bowl
Satisfy your bacon craving in minutes with this Loaded Rice Bowl. Using a Minute Butter & Sea Salt Jasmine Rice Cup, this dish comes together quickly for a quick, on-the-go lunch. Simply combine the rice cup with bacon bits, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chives for a rich and flavorful meal.
Looking for more quick meal ideas? Check out other Minute Rice Mix It Up rice bowls to get some inspiration on creating delicious and easy rice bowls that satisfy whatever you’re in the mood for.
Whether it’s a crispy salad topping, a flavorful addition to a rice bowl or enjoyed on its own, bacon is an irresistible ingredient that shines in countless recipes. When you get a craving for bacon, try these simple and flavorful Minute Rice recipes to enjoy this ingredient for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
