Bacon Cheeseburger Pockets

Here's a simple recipe that's sure to be a hit with your kids (but, unfortunately, not part of a Weight Watchers diet).

There's something about bacon cheeseburgers, Velveeta cheese, and croissants that strikes a cord with  those "Monster" drinking teenagers. This one hits on all three and a variation of a recipe Grandma used to make from scratch long before Hamburger Helper was ever invented. Perhaps it was the thing that prompted those Hamburger Helper folks to create the stuff in the first place. However, this is much better because it's made from scratch--and we'll keep telling ourselves that.

If you have a few extra cents in the weekly family food budget and you are seeking positive cooking reinforcement from your family, this will be the one that wins you kudos. Grandma used to make it with noodles--I believe macaroni noodles--as a mock "Stroganoff" dish.  But in this variation you pocket the meat mixture in heavenly croissant dough and cook to golden perfection. 

Enjoy this and report back to me on the smiles from your kids and grandkids (and probably your significant other too)!

Bacon Cheeseburger Pockets

1 pound sliced bacon, diced
1 ½ - 2 pounds natural ground beef
2 Tbsp butter
1 small onion, chopped
½  tsp pepper
1/3 loaf of Velveeta cheese, sliced
2 tubes crescent roll dough

In a large skillet (or your favorite bacon cooker), cook bacon over medium heat until crisp then remove to paper towels to absorb any extra grease.

In Dutch oven or large skillet, cook beef and onion, adding pepper last. Add cooked/drained bacon and cheese and stir until melted (it will become somewhat soupy, but that's okay).

Open the tubes of crescent rolls, unroll dough, fuse together 2 triangles of dough so you have a rectangle, then cut in half. With slotted spoon, put 1/4 cup of the meat mixture in the center of each square, pinch corners and create a "pocket."

Place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet and bake at 400F for 9-11 minutes or until lightly browned. Brush with butter and serve warm. Serves 4  plus you'll have meat mixture leftovers.

Pair with a tossed salad then pass out from the sheer deliciousness. 

If you have leftovers of the meat mixture, cook some elbow macaroni and mix it together for a tasty next-day lunch treat. This dish is totally versatile so you can cook dinner mixing it with the elbow macaroni and still have a "keeper" on your hands!