My wife loves filet mignon. On occasion I will grab an entire beef tenderloin and cut it into filets. But, let’s face it, filets aren’t the cheapest cut of meat. Not even close. That’s when it’s time to make these mock bacon filets. Mushroom-stuffed patties wrapped in bacon, topped with more mushrooms and a wonderful sauce. The sauce really is amazing. And they’re incredibly easy to make.
Surprisingly Awesome
These mock bacon filets are almost meatloaf-like. That’s a good thing since I’m a meatloaf-aholic. I have to say that the sauce is very, very good. So good in fact that we decided (after our first bite) to use it to glaze our next meatloaf. The sauce really compliments the dish perfectly. So perfectly that you won’t miss not having real filets. I could eat way, way too many of these.
I love to cook these filets in a cast iron skillet. It just makes life easier and better. Since this dish starts on the stove and finishes in the oven, it’s simpler to use a single pan for both steps. The recipe does make 4 large patties, so a larger skillet is a must.
Sometimes I got the piggy route and make bacon-wrapped pork medallions instead!
Mock Bacon Filets
Ingredients
For the patties
- 8 slices bacon
- 2 pounds ground beef
- ¼ cup green bell pepper chopped
- ¼ cup onion chopped
- ½ cup chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups fresh mushrooms sliced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Toothpicks
For the sauce
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon fresh parsley chopped
- 4 drops hot sauce
- Pinch garlic salt
- Pinch dried thyme
Instructions
For the patties
- Preheat your oven to 350 F.
- Place the bacon on a foil-lined bacon sheet and place into the oven to partially cook the bacon while assembling the patties. You do not want the bacon to get crispy, just slightly done. Remove and let cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bell pepper, onion, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, basil, salt and pepper.
- Form the meat into 8 equally-sized patties.
- Melt the butter in a medium skillet.
- Add the mushrooms and saute until soft.
- Spoon a small amount (do not use them all) of the mushrooms into the center of 4 of the patties.
- Cover with the other patties and pinch along the edges to seal.
- Wrap patties with the bacon and secure with toothpicks.
- Transfer to a shallow pan.
- Pour sauce over patties and bake for 45 minutes.
- Garnish with remaining mushrooms and serve.
For the sauce
- Combine all ingredients.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional values are approximate.
