I remember the first time I tried to make a meatloaf that felt like a proper weeknight dinner instead of a sad leftover, I was nervous about overmixing and whether the flavors would come through, and after wrapping bacon around a well-seasoned loaf and tucking cheese inside I finally understood why a Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf feels like a hug on a plate, warm and familiar with that perfect bite of melty cheese and salty bacon.
Why You’ll Love It
This Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf is one of those reliable dinners that works on busy nights and weekend comforts alike, it takes classic burger flavors and turns them into an easy loaf that feeds the family, and it’s forgiving for first time bakers because the steps are simple and the result is reliably juicy and flavorful.
Serves 6
Prep Time: 20 minutes |
Cook Time: 60 minutes |
Total Time: 80 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef 80 20
- 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 2 cup milk
- 1 small yellow onion finely diced about 3 4 cup
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 2 cup ketchup plus extra for serving
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 F and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or use a loaf pan lightly greased, this makes cleanup easier and helps the bacon crisp.
- In a large bowl combine the breadcrumbs and milk and let sit for a minute to soften so the loaf stays tender.
- Add the ground beef egg onion garlic Worcestershire salt and pepper to the bowl, mix gently with your hands until just combined do not overwork the meat or the loaf will be dense.
- Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese so it gets evenly distributed through the mixture.
- Shape the meat mixture into a loaf on the prepared baking sheet or press into the loaf pan smoothing the top.
- Make the glaze by stirring together ketchup brown sugar and Dijon mustard then brush about half of it over the top of the loaf.
- Lay the bacon slices across the top in a simple overlapping pattern or weave if you prefer, tucking the ends under the loaf slightly so they stay put during baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes until an instant read thermometer reads 160 F in the center and the bacon is crisping.
- In the last 10 minutes brush the remaining glaze over the bacon to create a sticky shiny finish.
- Let the loaf rest 10 minutes before slicing this helps it hold together and keeps the juices inside, serve with extra ketchup on the side.
Recipe Variations
- Cheeseburger Deep Dish Swap in diced pickles and a tablespoon of mustard into the meat mixture and top with American cheese slices before baking for a diner style twist.
- Turkey and Bacon Lighter use ground turkey and reduce the bacon to 6 slices for lower fat while keeping the same glaze for flavor.
- BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger replace the ketchup glaze with your favorite barbecue sauce and add a pinch of smoked paprika for a smoky finish.
- Low Carb Omit breadcrumbs and replace with 1 4 cup crushed pork rinds and a little extra egg to bind for a keto friendly version.
Make Ahead: You can assemble the meatloaf up to a day ahead, wrap it tightly and store in the refrigerator then top with bacon and bake from cold adding 10 to 15 minutes to the cook time, alternatively freeze the unbaked shaped loaf for up to 3 months thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe without bacon
Yes you can omit the bacon and still have a flavorful meatloaf, try mixing in extra cheese and a bit of smoked paprika for that smoky note.
How do I stop the meatloaf from falling apart when I slice it
Let the meatloaf rest at least 10 minutes after baking and use a sharp serrated knife to slice gently, chilling briefly in the fridge also firms it up for cleaner slices.
Can I use panko instead of breadcrumbs
Yes panko works well for a lighter texture, soak it briefly in milk like regular breadcrumbs to keep the loaf moist.
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
This Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf is one of those reliable dinners that works on busy nights and weekend comforts alike, it takes classic burger flavors and turns them into an easy loaf that feeds the family, and it’s forgiving for first time bakers because the steps are simple and the result is reliably juicy and flavorful.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef 80 20
- 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 2 cup milk
- 1 small yellow onion finely diced about 3 4 cup
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 2 cup ketchup plus extra for serving
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 F and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or use a loaf pan lightly greased, this makes cleanup easier and helps the bacon crisp.
- In a large bowl combine the breadcrumbs and milk and let sit for a minute to soften so the loaf stays tender.
- Add the ground beef egg onion garlic Worcestershire salt and pepper to the bowl, mix gently with your hands until just combined do not overwork the meat or the loaf will be dense.
- Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese so it gets evenly distributed through the mixture.
- Shape the meat mixture into a loaf on the prepared baking sheet or press into the loaf pan smoothing the top.
- Make the glaze by stirring together ketchup brown sugar and Dijon mustard then brush about half of it over the top of the loaf.
- Lay the bacon slices across the top in a simple overlapping pattern or weave if you prefer, tucking the ends under the loaf slightly so they stay put during baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes until an instant read thermometer reads 160 F in the center and the bacon is crisping.
- In the last 10 minutes brush the remaining glaze over the bacon to create a sticky shiny finish.
- Let the loaf rest 10 minutes before slicing this helps it hold together and keeps the juices inside, serve with extra ketchup on the side.
Conclusion
This Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf is a friendly, forgiving recipe that brings burger flavors to a comforting loaf format, it is perfect for cooks trying meatloaf for the first time and for busy nights when you want something satisfying with minimal fuss, take the basic steps here and make it your own by swapping cheeses or sauces and remember that a little patience while resting yields prettier slices and better flavor so enjoy the process and the warm meal at the end.
