Let’s be honest, a classic grilled cheese sandwich is pure perfection. But what happens when you want all that cheesy, crispy, and comforting goodness in a form that can feed a crowd with minimal effort? You make this Ooey-Gooey Cheddar Bacon Grilled Cheese Casserole. This recipe takes everything you love about the perfect grilled cheese—the crispy bread, the salty bacon, and the melted cheese—and bakes it into a single, sensational dish. It’s a total game-changer for a weeknight dinner, a lazy weekend brunch, or any time you need a big bowl of comfort. The best part? It’s almost impossible to mess up, and the result is pure, unadulterated deliciousness.

Why I Love This Recipe

This casserole is a true testament to the power of comfort food. It takes all the effort out of making multiple sandwiches and lets the oven do the work. The sourdough bread soaks up the savory egg and milk mixture, creating a rich, custard-like texture on the inside while the top gets perfectly golden and crisp. The combination of salty bacon and sharp cheddar cheese is a flavor pairing that never gets old. It’s a fantastic way to upgrade a simple meal into something special. This recipe reminds me of my easy cheesy chicken sliders with marinara garlic butter—both are incredibly simple to make but deliver huge on flavor and are perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Ingredients

• 1 loaf of sourdough bread, cubed
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Swaps and Notes

• Bread: Sourdough is my top choice for its slightly tangy flavor and sturdy texture, which holds up well. Other great options include a rustic country loaf, brioche for a richer flavor, or even a classic white bread.
• Cheese: Cheddar is classic, but you can definitely mix it up! A blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack would be amazing, or use pepper jack for a spicy kick.
• Bacon: You can use pre-cooked bacon pieces for a shortcut, or cook a fresh batch yourself for the best flavor. For a vegetarian version, you can substitute the bacon with sautéed mushrooms or smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
• Seasoning: Feel free to adjust the garlic and onion powder to your liking. A pinch of red pepper flakes would also add a nice heat.

Steps for the Recipe

1. Prep the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
2. Combine the Solids: In a large bowl, mix the cubed sourdough bread, shredded cheddar cheese, and cooked and crumbled bacon. Toss everything together until it’s evenly distributed.
3. Mix the Egg Wash: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Make sure it’s well combined.
4. Assemble the Casserole: Pour the egg and milk mixture over the bread, cheese, and bacon. Gently stir everything with a spatula until all the bread cubes are well coated and soaked.
5. Transfer and Bake: Pour the mixture into your greased casserole dish, spreading it out into an even layer. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top is golden brown, the edges are bubbly, and the cheese is melted into an irresistible goo.
6. Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before you dig in. This helps it set up a bit, making it easier to serve.

Tips for Success

• Slightly Stale Bread: Using bread that’s a day or two old is perfect for this recipe. It helps the bread absorb the liquid without getting too mushy.
• Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the casserole after the 30-minute mark. You want the top to be golden and the inside to be custardy and melted, not dry.
• Evenly Distribute: Make sure the bread cubes are evenly coated in the egg mixture. You don’t want any dry spots.
• Quality Ingredients: A high-quality sharp cheddar cheese and some good, smoky bacon will make a world of difference in the final flavor. I believe this holds true for any cheesy recipe, like my crockpot nacho dip that’s the reason I never have leftovers and my beer cheese dip that disappears in minutes.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

This Ooey-Gooey Cheddar Bacon Grilled Cheese Casserole is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. A bowl of classic tomato soup is the perfect partner, as is a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness. You can also serve it with a side of steamed vegetables like broccoli or asparagus. For a complete and effortless meal, serve this casserole alongside some other crowd-pleasing dishes, like my recipe for how I turned a classic sandwich into the ultimate cheesy hot dip.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

• Calories: 550-600
• Protein: 25-30g
• Fat: 35-40g
• Carbohydrates: 30-35g
• Fiber: 2-3g

Note: This is an estimated nutritional value and will vary depending on the specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Storage and Leftover Tips

Leftovers of this casserole are just as good as the day you made it. Simply cover the dish with plastic wrap or transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can use the microwave for a quick fix, but for the best texture, pop a serving back into the oven or a toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) until it’s heated through and crispy on top again. This is my favorite way to reheat any casserole, just like my one-pan breakfast bake that I love to make ahead.

More Recipes You Will Love

• This Crockpot Nacho Dip is the Reason I Never Have Leftovers
• How I Turned a Classic Sandwich into the Ultimate Cheesy Hot Dip
• Easy Cheesy Chicken Sliders with Marinara Garlic Butter
• This Beer Cheese Dip is My Favorite Party Starter That Disappears in Minutes
• This One-Pan Breakfast Bake Will Make You Skip

Final Thoughts

This Ooey-Gooey Cheddar Bacon Grilled Cheese Casserole is a recipe that proves that sometimes, the simplest ideas are the best. It’s warm, comforting, and absolutely packed with flavor. It’s the kind of dish you’ll find yourself making again and again because it’s just so easy and so good. It’s the perfect solution for those days when you need a little something extra to feel cozy and satisfied.

Give this casserole a try, and let me know how it turns out for you in the comments below! What’s your favorite comfort food recipe? I’d love to hear about it!