Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf

Your Sunday meatloaf gets an upgrade with this Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf! Bacon makes everything better, and this bacon wrapped dinner proves that!

Love meatloaf? You’ll also want to try this Cheesy Mini Meatloaf or this Slow Cooker Turkey Meatloaf.

I have had this Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf here on Taste and Tell since 2011. (Or at least a version of it.)

And I’ve made it several times since then.

But I found myself getting more and more unsatisfied with the end result, because the bacon never seemed like it was cooked very well. The meatloaf would be done, but I’d have flabby bacon – especially the underside of the bacon.

So I started testing, and came up with the perfect solution. You par-bake the bacon before adding it, giving the bacon a little head start.

And even though I’ll always love a traditional meatloaf, this Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf is a great way to change things up!

Ingredients

• Bacon: A traditional cut bacon will work the best here. You’ll need 8-10 slices, depending on the shape of your meatloaf. I always just prep 10, just in case. (If I have leftover slices, I’ll cook them on the side.)
• Oil: I use olive oil, but any high heat oil will work. This is just used for cooking the onions.
• Onion: I use a yellow onion, but a white onion will work, too.
• Ground Beef: You don’t want a super lean ground beef, but not too fatty, either. Somewhere in the middle is best. And if you have access to a meatloaf mix (beef, pork, and veal) that will work, as well.
• Breadcrumbs: I use Italian breadcrumbs, but have used plain breadcrumbs before. I have even used homemade breadcrumbs!
• Eggs: The eggs act as a binder. Make sure and lightly whisk them before adding to make sure they mix in well.
• Ketchup: You’ll add some of the ketchup to the meatloaf mixture, and then brush some on top.
• Mustard: I like to use a spicy mustard, but even Dijon or a brown mustard will work.
• Worcestershire Sauce: This just adds extra flavor and depth.
• Salt and Pepper: Seasoning is always important!
• Hot Sauce: You can use something like Tobasco or Chohula, or even a buffalo sauce. It just adds a bit of background flavor.

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf

STEP 1: Lay the bacon on a baking sheet lined with foil. Bake it at 350ºF for about 13 minutes. It will not be cooked through, but will have a head start.

STEP 2: Heat the oil in a skillet and add the onion. Cook until the onion is soft.

STEP 3: Combine all of the meatloaf ingredients in a large bowl. Add in those cooked onions, as well.

STEP 4: Form the mixture into a loaf shape on a baking sheet lined with foil. Try to keep the thickness even throughout.

STEP 5: Brush the remaining ketchup over the loaf.

STEP 6: Start adding the bacon. You want the slices close together, but try not to overlap. I tuck the ends under the meatloaf to keep them in place. Bake the meatloaf until cooked through.

Tips and Tricks

I only bake the bacon until it is starting to cook. If you want a crispier bacon at the end, you can cook it a little further. Just make sure the bacon is still pliable so that you can wrap the meatloaf with it.

I’ve seen recipes where the bacon is criss-crossed or layered, but I find that when you do that, you end up with limp, not quite cooked bacon in the end. I like to make sure to not overlap it very much.

I like to let the meatloaf sit for a few minutes before slicing to serve.

More Sunday Dinner Ideas

Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Slow Simmered Short Rib Sauce with Pasta
Beef Tips and Gravy

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Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf

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Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

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Your Sunday meatloaf gets an upgrade with this Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf! Bacon makes everything better, and this bacon wrapped dinner proves that!

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Ingredients

• ▢ 8-10 slices bacon
• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ▢ 3/4 cup diced yellow onion
• ▢ 2 pounds ground beef
• ▢ 3/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs
• ▢ 2 large eggs lightly beaten
• ▢ 6 tablespoons ketchup divided
• ▢ 2 tablespoons spicy mustard
• ▢ 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• ▢ Several dashes of hot sauce

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
• Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Place the bacon on the baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 13 minutes. Remove the bacon to slightly cook, but keep the oven on.
  8-10 slices bacon
• While the bacon is baking, heat the olive oil in a skillet. Add the onion and cook until soft. Remove from the heat to cool slightly.
  1 tablespoon olive oil, 3/4 cup diced yellow onion
• Line another baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, eggs, 3 tablespoons of the ketchup, the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and hot sauce. Add the cooked onions.
  2 pounds ground beef, 3/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs, 2 large eggs, 6 tablespoons ketchup, 2 tablespoons spicy mustard, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, Several dashes of hot sauce
• Thoroughly mix the ingredients, being careful to not overmix. (I think this is easiest to do with my hands.)
• For the mixture into a loaf shape on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the remaining 3 tablespoons of ketchup over the loaf.
• When the bacon is cool enough to handle, lay the bacon slices over the meatloaf, trying not to overlap too much, and tucking the ends under the meatloaf.
• Bake in the oven for 50-60 minutes, or until the bacon on top is browned and the meat registers 165ºF in the center.
• Transfer the meatloaf to a serving plate and cut into slices to serve.

Recipe Notes:

Originally adapted from Recipes Every Man Should Know

Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 456kcal (23%), Carbohydrates: 18g (6%), Protein: 38g (76%), Fat: 24g (37%), Saturated Fat: 8g (50%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 182mg (61%), Sodium: 1260mg (55%), Potassium: 221mg (6%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 6g (7%)

Keywords: meatloaf recipe