What Makes This Recipe So Good
Comfort food – but make it better. This recipe enhances that classic meatloaf we all know and love with one simple twist. The bacon adds a delicious, smoky savoriness to the already tasty meatloaf and the sweet glaze.It’s as easy as making a traditional meatloaf! No, really. Wrapping the bacon is an extra step, but it takes virtually no time at all. The cook time for bacon wrapped meatloaf is the same as regular meatloaf, too!The leftovers are just as delicious as the first day! As long as you refrigerate them in an airtight container, any bacon wrapped meatloaf leftovers will keep up to 5 days. Just reheat the slices in the oven to keep the bacon texture nice.
Key Ingredients
Ground Beef – Lean ground beef works best here. I’ve found that it gives you the best texture and flavor, plus it helps offset the fat from the bacon. Ground turkey will also work in this bacon wrapped meatloaf recipe, or you can use a combination or beef and turkey! Bacon – Keep in mind that you’re cooking the bacon AND the meatloaf at the same time. In order to make sure everything cooks completely (and evenly) I recommend using regular bacon here, as opposed to thick cut bacon. The thick cut can take longer to cook, and you run the risk of the meatloaf drying out.Breadcrumbs – You can’t go wrong with plain breadcrumbs, but sometimes a little extra flavor is nice. Try using Italian breadcrumbs in your bacon wrapped meatloaf! They go really well with the ketchup glaze.
Chef’s Tips
Skip the loaf pan! Since we’re wrapping the bacon around the meatloaf, we’re going to use a baking sheet instead. Trust me, it’s way easier this way. The meatloaf will maintain that loaf shape as it bakes, and you’ll never know the difference!Start checking the meatloaf after 45 minutes. You may find that in your oven, it doesn’t need the whole hour to cook. If the top is browning too quickly, cover the meatloaf with foil to retain some of the heat and help the inside of the meatloaf cook.Note that the bacon won’t crisp up the same way it would when you pan fry it! If you want a crispier finish, place the bacon wrapped meatloaf under the broiler for a few minutes toward the end of the cook time. Be careful not to overcook it or burn the glaze!
Try These Tasty Recipes, Too!
Marry Me ChickenKeto MeatloafInstant Pot Stuffed PeppersWhole30 Fried Chicken and Mashed Potato Bowl with GravySouthwestern Egg Roll in a BowlBacon Wrapped Asparagus with Garlic AioliBuffalo Burgers with an Easy Burger Sauce
