A Delicious Reminder That You Should Bake Bacon

Baking bacon > frying bacon.

Bacon makes everything better.

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Well, maybe not everything — but MOST things.

And when it comes to cooking it, oven-baked bacon is tops.

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Because as great as frying bacon on the stove can be, it doesn't beat the ease of just laying the good stuff on a baking sheet, tossing it in the oven, and letting it do its thing until it's gloriously crispy. (Plus: If you line the sheet with foil first, cleanup is a breeze.)

Here's how to bake bacon like a pro:

• Heat your oven to 400° F.

• Put slices of bacon on a baking sheet — as many as you'd like, just make sure they fit in one layer — and slide it into the oven.

• Bake for about 15 minutes, until the bacon is sizzling, crispy, and golden brown.

• For even easier cleanup, line your baking sheet with foil first.

And here's how put your ~baked bacon~ to use:

1. Parker & Otis' Pimento Cheese (+ Grilled Sandwiches with Bacon & Tomato)

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Welcome to grilled cheese heaven. Get the recipe.

2. Sriracha Maple Bacon

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An easy way to make yourself very popular at brunch. Get the recipe.

3. Buttermilk Bacon Grease Cornbread

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Buttermilk, bacon, and cornbread always sound like a great combination. Get the recipe.

4. Bacon Wrapped Brown Sugar Pork Loin

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It's pork. Wrapped in pork. And doused in a brown sugar glaze. What more could you ask for? Get the recipe.

5. BEAT Breakfast Sandwich

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A breakfast sandwich worth rolling out of bed for. Get the recipe.

6. Hearts of Romaine Salad with Bacon, 5-Minute Eggs, and Pesto Dressing

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A healthy way to use bacon -- if that's ever possible. Plus a dressing to put on everything. Get the recipe.

7. Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts

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Your pigs in a blanket just got an upgrade. Get the recipe.

8. Bacon & Egg Ramen

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Yes, it's a giant bowl of real ramen. Get the recipe.

9. Leek, Bacon and Goat Cheese Pizza

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This recipe is pizza perfection. Get the recipe.

10. Summer Weekend Pasta

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The dish is part vegetable, part pasta, with bacon everywhere. Get the recipe.

11. Bacon Jam

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Your new favorite way to eat bacon is the condiment of the future. Get the recipe.

12. Pea and Bacon Panzanella with Warm Vinaigrette

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Anything involving peas, bacon, carbs is the ultimate comfort food. Get the recipe.

13. Bacon and Egg Salad Sandwich with Dukkah and Peppery Greens

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Bacon and eggs like you've never seen before. Get the recipe.

14. Poached Egg & Bacon Sandwich

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Toast your ciabatta roll, poach your egg, crisp up your bacon, dress your greens, and assemble. That's it. Get the recipe.

Brette Warshaw contributed to this post. For more recipe inspiration, visit Food52.