Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food. Wonderfully simple, moist meatloaf cooks in an perfect little package of bacon. And, a sauce? Of course we have a tangy ketchup sauce that ties it all together!
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And, if you're in the mood for more fantastic comfort food recipes that are super simple, you've got to try my One-Pot Chicken and Rice, Skillet Lasagna, or my Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast!
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This bacon wrapped meatloaf is just amazing. If you think you don't like meatloaf, you just haven't put it in a bacon hug yet. Not only does it keep the meatloaf super moist, but it also adds a ton of flavor! It's just so good. You've got to try it this way!
This recipe is also super simple. Lining a baking pan with bacon takes just a minute or so. I choose not to invert anything or make any unnecessary mess by doing so. If you want to invert yours, I have detailed instructions on how to do so below.
What You'll Need
- Ground Beef - I recommend using a leaner blend for this recipe. The bacon is going to add fat and moisture so you don't necessarily want beef with a high fat content.
- Yellow Onion and Garlic and Granulated Onion and Granulated Garlic - Is it comfort food without these two? No. It's not. We need both the fresh and dried versions.
- Eggs and Seasoned Panko Breadcrumbs - For the binder. I love a garlicky, parmesan seasoned panko, but feel free to use your favorite.
- Worcestershire Sauce and Apple Cider Vinegar - For umami, tang, and a bit of a salty hit for our sauce.
- Milk - To help keep the meatloaf moist. I said it. Moist. I'm not gonna say damp.
- Ketchup - You cannot have meatloaf with out it. Both for the inside and for that classic tangy tomato sauce. I won't allow it a meatloaf without it. You'll need some brown sugar, too - for the sauce.
- Bacon - Say it with me. Bacon makes everything better. I would recommend a leaner cut and no nitrates/nitrites if you can find it.
How To Do It
Bacon wrapped meatloaf is super simple. I'll give you a brief rundown of the festivities here, but the full instructions will live in the recipe card below.
- Make the meatloaf mixture.
- Line a baking dish with bacon.
- Add the meatloaf to the bacon-lined dish and brush with half the sauce.
- Finish wrapping with bacon.
- Brush with remaining sauce.
- Bake.
- Enjoy!
Told ya it was easy!
To Invert Or Not Invert, That Is The Question
I have made this recipe multiple times over the years. It's one of our favorite weeknight dinners. I've inverted and I have not. Either way, it will taste exactly the same. I've have moved away from inverting all together and I'll tell you more about why below. However, if you want to invert it, here's how you do it!
- You will need to change where you put the sauce. Instead of brushing it on the top of the meatloaf mixture at the end, you will want to brush half of the sauce on top of the bacon BEFORE you add the meatloaf mixture.
- Now, pour the meatloaf mixture into the bacon-lined baking dish.
- You will need a foil-lined baking sheet fitted with an oven safe rack. The rack helps elevate the meatloaf during cooking and allows the fat to drain away.
- With the oven safe rack placed inside the baking sheet, place both on top of the bacon wrapped meatloaf. The rack should be touching the the baking dish and meatloaf.
- Turn this upside down on top of the meatloaf/baking dish and carefully invert. Gently lift and remove the baking dish.
- Brush the top of the bacon wrapped meatloaf with the remaining sauce.
Now, you're ready to bake!
Important Note: If you have decided to invert, it may cut down on your baking time slightly. Make sure to check the internal temp around the 45-55 minute mark. The bacon wrapped meatloaf needs to reach 160°F internal temp.
Make It Your Own
Have fun with this bacon wrapped meatloaf recipe! Customize it and make it your own! Here's some ideas!
- Make it spicy. Use a spicy ketchup, add some chipotle in adobo to the meatloaf mixture, or simply add in some red chili flakes.
- Use flavored panko breadcrumbs. There are so many different breadcrumb varieties and flavors out there now. Try new ones and find your favorite. I am obsessed with the Kinder brand flavors. No I'm not sponsored, I just really like them.
- Leave out the bacon. You don't have to wrap it if you don't want to. It's a phenomenal meatloaf recipe on its own.
- Wrap it in prosciutto. I looooooove this one!
- Fold in minced mushrooms to the meatloaf mixture for a easy way to add in more veggies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't you invert your Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf anymore?
Two main reasons. It makes a mess and it dirties up more dishes than necessary. It also causes the meatloaf to lose a lot of wonderful juices due to baking it on a rack. I like a moist meatloaf and I prefer keeping it in the baking dish. But, as always, you do you!
I also realllly like how the ends of some of the bacon will crisp up in the oven. 'Tis very tasty, indeed.
My meatloaf has a ton of liquid in the baking dish after cooking. What should I do?
This, in my opinion, is a very good thing! These are wonderful, flavorful juices. Once the bacon wrapped meatloaf has come out of the oven, let it rest 10-15 minutes. This will allow the meatloaf to reabsorb some of the juices. Just before serving you can simply pour away any excess liquid.
Do I have to sauté the onions before adding them to the meatloaf mixture?
You don't, but they will not get completely soft in the oven. I prefer mine soft without crunch for meatloaf. It's a step that doesn't take five minutes, so I recommend you sauté first.
Do I have to wrap the meatloaf with bacon?
Nope! You can add the meatloaf mixture directly to the baking dish, top with the sauce, and bake! It will be really good and I do it this way, too!
Serving Ideas
Oh, let me count thy ways to enjoy this bacon wrapped meatloaf!
- With mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower.
- Sliced on top of buttered noodles.
- Make a recipe of my dutch oven no knead bread or my soft sandwich bread and turn the leftovers into the best meatloaf sandwich in the history of ever!
- If you're going in a lighter direction, with a simple green salad, roasted green beans, or oven roasted asparagus.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, cover with a damp paper towel and heat in small increments until warmed through.
- To freeze, wrap the meatloaf well with plastic wrap and then foil. It will stay good for up to 3 months in the freezer. Let it thaw out in the fridge when you're ready.
Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf
Ingredients
Meatloaf Mixture
- 1 med yellow diced
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil to sauté the onion in
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoon ketchup
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced minced
- ¾ cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs I used a parmesan herb flavor
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning
Ketchup Glaze
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ½ teaspoon granulated onion
Meatloaf Wrapping
- 1 lb bacon
Instructions
- Sauté the onion in the olive oil until softened.
- In large mixing bowl, gently combine meatloaf ingredients along with the sautéed onion. Set aside.
- In a small mixing bowl, mix together ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, granulated garlic and onion together.
- Line an 8x10 baking dish with the bacon strips.
- Pour meatloaf mixture on top of the bacon strips that are lining the baking dish.
- Brush meatloaf mixture with half of the ketchup sauce.
- Cover the meatloaf mixture with any remaining bacon. Tuck the sides of the bacon in to create a nice little package. Brush on remaining ketchup sauce.
- Bake in a preheated 350° oven for about an hour. Make sure the final cooking temperature of the meatloaf registers 160°F.
- Let rest for 5-10 minutes, pour away any excess juices, slice and enjoy!
Nutrition
If you guys make this Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I absolutely love to hear from you all and always do my best to respond to each and every one of your comments!
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my low-carb bacon wrapped meatloaf recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram! I absolutely love seeing each and every one of your kitchen masterpieces! And, as always, if you ever have any questions about any of my recipe, please don't hesitate to contact me!
Happy Cooking!
-Rufus
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