When it comes to comfort food, this bacon meatloaf recipe is a winner! Rich and full of flavor, this dish is a real crowd pleaser. Coated in a delicious BBQ topping, this recipe is a must try!
Meatloaf is such a classic dish, it’s heart and comforting and the whole family loves it. My recipe is loaded with flavor thanks to…bacon! It’s delicious, it’s perfect, you have to try it!
How to Make This Bacon Meatloaf Recipe
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Heat oven to 350°F and adjust oven rack to middle position. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Spray a metal rack with non-stick cooking spray and set it over the baking sheet.
FOR THE TOPPING:
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Whisk all topping ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl; set aside.
FOR THE MEATLOAF:
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Par-cook the bacon in a large skillet set over medium heat just until the fat is rendered out, 5-7 minutes. The bacon should be pliable and not brown or crispy at all. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate for a few minutes, then place it in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the
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chopping blade. Pulse the bacon until it is coarsely ground, 30-60 seconds; set aside.
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Discard all except 2 tablespoon rendered bacon fat from the skillet and set the pan over medium-low heat. Add the diced onion to the bacon fat and cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent and has softened, about 4-6 minutes. Add minced garlic, stir and cook 30 seconds.
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In a large bowl, mix together the cooked onion/garlic mixture, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire Sauce, Dijon mustard, oats, eggs and black pepper. Let mixture rest for 2 minutes.
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In a different large bowl, combine the chopped bacon and ground chuck, mix just until combined.
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Pour the liquid mixture over the meat mixture and mix just until ingredients are incorporated. Try not to over-work the mixture or the meatloaf will be a little tough.
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Divide the mixture into two equal sections and shape each half into a loaf approximately 8x5x3-inches. Set the loaves on the prepared rack (set over the baking sheeand reshape, if needed.
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Pour half the topping mixture over each meatloaf. Cook at 350°F for 50-65 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 160°F, on an instant-read meat thermometer, and the juices run clear. Note – If the topping is browning too quickly after 25 minutes, tent the loaves with foil (don’t wrap tightlto prevent burning.
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Transfer loaves to a cooling rack and let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing.
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Enjoy!
What do you serve with this bacon meatloaf recipe?
I always serve my meatloaf with a healthy side of creamy mashed potatoes and a steamed veggie side. Keep it simple and let the meatloaf speak for itself! This bacon meatloaf is perfect with:
- Best Mashed Potatoes
- Cheesy Crispy Baked Green Beans
- Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
- Cheesy Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin Recipe
Bacon meatloaf without breadcrumbs
So many recipes for meatloaf include breadcrumbs as this helps to keep everything together. I wanted to make mine gluten-free so I used quick oats in the place of these. They work amazingly well and it’s perfect if you or any guests have a gluten intolerance.
A delicious BBQ meatloaf topping
The topping on this bacon meatloaf recipe is so rich and delicious and it’s so easy to make! It’s made of:
- ketchup
- barbecue sauce
- dark brown sugar
- crushed red pepper
- cider vinegar
The result is a beautifully tangy and sweet sauce and it works so well with the whole dish.
Top Tips to Make This Bacon Meatloaf Recipe
- This recipe makes two meatloaves.
- Leftovers can be kept in refrigerated, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days.
- The shaped, uncooked meatloaf can be frozen, up to 3 months. Be sure NOT to make or add the topping until ready to cook. Wrap the meatloaf very well and place in a zipper-style freezer bag. Defrost the meatloaf overnight in the fridge before cooking. Right before cooking add the topping. An additional 5 minutes might be needed during cooking.
Be sure to try this Air Fryer meatloaf recipe, and this mozzarella stuffed meatloaf!
Be sure to check out these other beef main dishes
- One Pan Cheesy Beef Breakfast Scramble (Skillet Breakfast Casserole)
- Beef Ragu
- Shredded Beef Enchiladas Supreme
- Beef Bourguignon Recipe (Beef Burgundy Recipe)
- Best Beef Tenderloin Recipe
- Roasted Ground Beef Chili
- Beef Pot Pie
- Beef Wellington for Two
Recipe
Bacon Infused Meatloaf Recipe
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 1 hour 5 minutes
Total: 1 hour 25 minutes
Serves8 people
When it comes to comfort food, this bacon meatloaf recipe is a winner! Rich and full of flavor, this dish is a real crowd pleaser. Coated in a delicious BBQ topping, this recipe is a must try!
Ingredients
For the Topping:
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup barbecue sauce Blue’s Hog Original, if possible
- 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
- ¼-½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
For the Meatloaf
- 2½ pounds ground chuck
- 12 ounces thick-cut bacon
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¾ cup quick oats
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F and adjust oven rack to middle position. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Spray a metal rack with non-stick cooking spray and set it over the baking sheet.
For the Topping:
- Whisk all topping ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl; set aside.
For the Meatloaf:
- Par-cook the bacon in a large skillet set over medium heat just until the fat is rendered out, 5-7 minutes. The bacon should be pliable and not brown or crispy at all. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate for a few minutes, then place it in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the
- chopping blade. Pulse the bacon until it is coarsely ground, 30-60 seconds; set aside.
- Discard all except 2 tablespoon rendered bacon fat from the skillet and set the pan over medium-low heat. Add the diced onion to the bacon fat and cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent and has softened, about 4-6 minutes. Add minced garlic, stir and cook 30 seconds.
- In a large bowl, mix together the cooked onion/garlic mixture, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire Sauce, Dijon mustard, oats, eggs and black pepper. Let mixture rest for 2 minutes.
- In a different large bowl, combine the chopped bacon and ground chuck, mix just until combined.
- Pour the liquid mixture over the meat mixture and mix just until ingredients are incorporated. Try not to over-work the mixture or the meatloaf will be a little tough.
- Divide the mixture into two equal sections and shape each half into a loaf approximately 8x5x3-inches. Set the loaves on the prepared rack (set over the baking sheeand reshape, if needed.
- Pour half the topping mixture over each meatloaf. Cook at 350°F for 50-65 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 160°F, on an instant-read meat thermometer, and the juices run clear. Note – If the topping is browning too quickly after 25 minutes, tent the loaves with foil (don’t wrap tightlto prevent burning.
- Transfer loaves to a cooling rack and let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing.
- Enjoy!
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
Makes 2 Loaves
Leftovers can be kept if refrigerated, in an airtight container, up to 3 days.
The shaped, uncooked meatloaf can be frozen, up to 3 months. Be sure NOT to make or add the topping until ready to cook. Wrap the meatloaf very well and place in a zipper-style freezer bag. Defrost the meatloaf overnight in the fridge before cooking. Right before cooking add the topping. An additional 5 minutes might be needed during cooking.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 695kcal (35%) Carbohydrates: 32g (11%) Protein: 33g (66%) Fat: 47g (72%) Saturated Fat: 17g (106%) Cholesterol: 171mg (57%) Sodium: 879mg (38%) Potassium: 703mg (20%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 23g (26%) Vitamin A: 304IU (6%) Vitamin C: 3mg (4%) Calcium: 73mg (7%) Iron: 4mg (22%)
Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!
Wonderful recipe
Thanks for stopping by, Laurel!
If I wanted to use breadcrumbs instead of oats what kind of breadcrumbs and how much?
Possibly panko.
Another delicious meal. Thanks cookie rookie. I had to google the suggestion about the water. You put a pan of water on the lower shelf in the oven, it worked! The meatloaf was very flavorful. Mine fell apart, but still yummy!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing, Michelle!
This did turn out amazing! I used mostly BBQ sauce instead of Ketchup and used bread crumbs instead of oats. I also added some liquid smoke and extra black pepper to the topping.
My husband and I both loved it!!! Fantastic recipe! I’ll be making it again!
Thank you!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing, Ivy!
I made this earlier in the year and it was a HIT! So much that my family has requested it. I want it have better shape this go round. I know you say it can be frozen but would you suggest shaping it maybe the night before just to retain that good loaf shape?
You can definitely give it a shot!
I wanted something different and I was tired of my meatloaf of over 5o years…always the same. So I found this and tried it and it was the best meatloaf I have ever made. Loved the tip about the pan of water underneath on a rack! I don’t know if it was the pan of water or the recipe but it was super moist.
I would recommend this to everybody and already sent it to my two daughters.
That’s great! Thanks for sharing, June!
Hi June. Where is the tip on the pan of water? How did you do this?
I am looking for that tip as well.
Delicious!!!
I used honey BBQ sauce. Too good.
Thanks for stopping by, Dori!
Amazing! My husband and I made this meatloaf and loved it!
I’m so happy to hear that, Linda!
Yummmmm! Bacon in meatloaf is FANTASTIC.
I’m SO happy you loved it, April!
this is the best!
Thank you, Rachael!