Easy Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf Recipe: Classic Comfort Reimagined
Crafting the ultimate bacon cheeseburger meatloaf brings pure comfort to your dinner table.
Hearty meat blends with crispy bacon and gooey cheese in a delightful mashup of classic flavors.
We crave those irresistible burger elements tucked inside a classic meatloaf shape.
Every bite promises a juicy explosion of savory goodness that feels like a warm culinary hug.
Weeknight meals rarely get this exciting or satisfying.
The combination sounds indulgent yet surprisingly simple to prepare.
You’ll want to grab your apron and gather these ingredients right now.
Why Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf Is A Comfort Food Classic
Ingredients List For Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
Meat Base:Binding and Moisture Ingredients:Flavor Enhancers:Cheese and Topping:Glaze Ingredients:How To Make Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf Easily
Step 1: Kickstart the Flavor Explosion
Preheat your oven to a toasty 375F (190C) and grab a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Grab a small bowl and mix breadcrumbs with milk, letting them hang out for 5 minutes to create ultimate moisture magic. In a large mixing bowl, combine:Stir in the milk-soaked breadcrumbs, then gently fold in the shredded cheese like you’re tucking in a delicious blanket.
Step 2: Wrap It Up with Bacon Awesomeness
Sculpt the meat mixture into a gorgeous loaf and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Now for the star of the show – drape bacon slices over the top, tucking the ends underneath like a cozy bacon blanket.
Step 3: Create the Tangy Glaze Masterpiece
In a small bowl, whisk together:Brush half of this flavor-packed glaze over the bacon-wrapped meatloaf, making sure every inch gets some love.
Step 4: Bake to Mouthwatering Perfection
Slide the meatloaf into the oven and bake for 45 minutes. Pull it out and brush on the remaining glaze. Continue baking for 15-20 more minutes, or until the internal temperature hits the magic number of 160F (71C). Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes – patience is key!
Step 5: Serve and Devour
Slice up this beauty and serve with your favorite sides. Go classic with mashed potatoes, roast some veggies, or deck it out with all the burger fixings like pickles, crisp lettuce, and juicy tomatoes. Get ready for a flavor explosion that’ll make taste buds dance!
Pro Tips For Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf Success
How To Store Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf Safely
Best Sides For Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
New Takes On Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
Frequently Asked Questions About Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
The combination creates a more flavorful and juicy meatloaf. Beef provides robust taste while pork adds extra moisture and tenderness to the final dish.
Yes! You can prepare the meatloaf mixture and shape it up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate, then add bacon and glaze just before baking. This makes meal prep super easy.
No worries! You can substitute with white vinegar or lemon juice. The goal is to add a tangy balance to the sweet and savory glaze, so any acidic ingredient will work well.
Absolutely! Kids love bacon and cheese, and the familiar cheeseburger flavors make this meatloaf a crowd-pleaser. The glaze is sweet and tangy, which most children enjoy.
Print
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Hearty bacon cheeseburger meatloaf combines classic comfort with bold flavors that promise a delightful dinner experience. Juicy beef, crispy bacon, and melted cheese create a mouthwatering meal perfect for satisfying hungry families and making weeknight dinners memorable.
Ingredients
Meats:
- 1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20 for juiciness)
- 0.5 pounds ground pork (optional, adds tenderness)
- 8–10 slices bacon
Binding and Flavor Ingredients:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 0.5 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon mustard (yellow or Dijon)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 1.5 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
Topping:
- 0.25 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (optional, for tang)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring a clean cooking surface for the meatloaf.
- Create a moisture-enhancing mixture by combining breadcrumbs and milk, allowing the mixture to absorb liquid for about 5 minutes.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine ground beef, ground pork, finely diced onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, mustard, salt, black pepper, and paprika to develop rich, layered flavors.
- Incorporate the soaked breadcrumbs into the meat mixture, gently folding to maintain a tender texture, then carefully integrate the shredded cheese for pockets of melty goodness.
- Mold the seasoned meat mixture into a compact, even loaf shape, positioning it centrally on the prepared baking sheet.
- Meticulously drape bacon strips across the surface of the meatloaf, carefully tucking the ends underneath to create a complete bacon wrap.
- Craft a tangy glaze by whisking together ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar until smooth and well-combined.
- Apply half of the prepared glaze generously over the bacon-covered meatloaf, ensuring even coverage for maximum flavor development.
- Slide the meatloaf into the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, allowing the bacon to crisp and the meat to cook through.
- Brush the remaining glaze over the meatloaf, returning it to the oven for an additional 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160F.
- Remove from the oven and let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute and ensuring a moist final result.
- Slice the meatloaf and serve alongside classic accompaniments like creamy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or traditional burger toppings such as crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and tangy pickles.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef and pork to reduce excess fat while maintaining rich flavor and juicy texture.
- Soak breadcrumbs in milk creates a tender, moist meatloaf that won’t dry out during baking.
- Experiment with cheese varieties like sharp cheddar or smoked gouda to elevate the classic bacon cheeseburger profile.
- For a low-carb version, swap breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed pork rinds to maintain binding without adding grains.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
James Mitchell
Founder & Recipe Developer
Expertise
Recipe Creation and Testing, Fusion Cuisine, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education
Education
Kendall College, Chicago, IL
The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY
James Mitchell is the founder and fearless flavor explorer at Cooking Crusade. With a degree in Culinary Arts from Kendall College and advanced training in global gastronomy from The Culinary Institute of America, James has spent over a decade perfecting the art of recipe creation.
His background includes fine dining, private cheffing, and food styling, but his true joy comes from turning big ideas into doable recipes for home cooks. Every dish he shares is a mix of creativity, culture, and a little kitchen magic, built to bring excitement back to everyday meals.