Spicy Bacon Cheeseburger Dip

Ingredients

• 8 slices bacon
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 tablespoons dill pickle juice
• 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 (16 ounce) package processed American cheese, cut into cubes
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers
• 6 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions

Place the bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Remove bacon to a plate lined with a paper towel, retaining drippings in the skillet.

Break ground beef in pieces and add to drippings in the skillet. Cook and stir beef until completely browned, 7 to 10 minutes; drain in a colander. Rinse beef with water to wash away excess fat; drain. Transfer drained beef to a bowl. Stir pickle juice into the beef; season with salt and pepper.

Combine ground beef mixture, American cheese, cream cheese, diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, green onions, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and cayenne pepper in a slow cooker.

Cook cheese mixture on Low, stirring occasionally, until the cheese is melted completely, about 1 hour. Crumble bacon over the surface of the dip to serve.