Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf

Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf Recipe – What is more comforting than homemade meatloaf beautifully wrapped in savory, meaty bacon strips? Baked to perfection, then generously drizzled with the perfect finish, a sweet and tangy glaze.

Whenever I walk into family buffet restaurants, I can guarantee there will be meatloaf on it. However, meatloaf is so easy to make that it doesn’t even tempt me. Besides, wrapping it in bacon gives you a family-friendly comfort food restaurant meal without the price tag.

Yes, bacon and the glorious glaze scream winner-winner. I must say, wrapping bacon around the ever-delicious meatloaf is genius. Imagine combining two of the most incredible foods in a single dish. It’s almost like a meat-lovers pizza without the crust.

Content… Wrapping Meatloaf in Bacon Recipe Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions What to Serve More Deliciously Meaty Main Dishes to Try Watch How to Make It

The Traditional Meatloaf Recipe Wrapped With Bacon

Every family has their traditional meatloaf recipe passed down from generation to generation. Although every family has its go-to recipe, essential ingredients include ground meat, bread crumbs, eggs, ketchup, and milk.

Of course, you know I can’t resist the temptation to improve a good thing, especially when cooking. (Oh, how I love experimenting and inventing new recipes!) Oh, and if you’d like to try the closest thing to African meatloaf, check out my bobotie recipe.

The Ingredient List

1. Bacon may seem a simple ingredient, yet it delivers extraordinarily smokey deliciousness.
2. Glaze – You only need 3 ingredients to make the iconic glaze – ketchup, mustard, and sugar. It adds vibrant color and the perfect zing.
3. Veggies – I added an extra step of sauteing the sliced onion, garlic, and bell pepper first instead of adding them straight into the meat mixture.
4. Beef – Although lean meat is healthier, a little fat (at least 15%) makes homemade meatloaf juicy and moist.
5. Binders – Breadcrumbs, milk, and eggs hold it all together so the meatloaf stays firm even after slicing. Gluten-free bread crumbs will work fine, but you may want to add an extra egg.
6. Seasonings – The beef bouillon and Worcestershire sauce add rich umami while accentuating the meaty flavor.

How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf

• Preheat oven to 350°F/177℃ with the rack in the middle.
• Prep Bacon – Line a baking sheet pan with parchment paper. Then, overlap the slices of bacon on the parchment paper. Set aside. (Photo 1)
• Glaze – Combine ketchup, Dijon mustard, and sugar in a small bowl and set it aside. (Photo 2)
• Saute – Heat about a tablespoon of oil in a medium saucepan on medium heat. Add onions, garlic, thyme, and bell pepper. Saute for a minute or two to let the flavors bloom, being careful not to let it burn. Allow it to cool. (Photo 3)
• Mix Loaf – Add the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, beef bouillon powder, milk, and cayenne pepper (if using any) to a medium bowl. Add the cooled onion mixture. Mix it gently until thoroughly combined. DO NOT OVERMIX. (Photo 4)
• Form the meatloaf like a log on top of the bacon. Glaze with about ⅔ of the ketchup mix. (Photos 5-7)
• Wrap – Working along the shorter end of the pan, lift the edge of the meatloaf by the parchment underneath and gently fold it inward until the bacon wraps the meatloaf. Brush with the remaining ketchup mixture. (Photos 8-9)
• Bake for 45-60 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the meatloaf registers 160℉ (72℃) internal temperature. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. (Photo 10)
• Serve this meatloaf with mashed potatoes or desired side dish. Enjoy!

Recipe Variations

1. Meat swaps. Replace beef with the same amount of ground chicken, ground pork, ground turkey, or a combination of your choices. I tried it with a mix of ground beef and pork, which was amazingly tasty.
2. Flavor swaps. Replace the ketchup glaze with BBQ sauce for a delicious twist. A teaspoon of Creole, Italian, or taco seasoning also amp up the flavor.
3. More veggies. Carrots, celery, potato, and mushrooms are great additions that up the nutritional factor.
4. Meatballs for spaghetti or meatball soup are incredible with the same meat mixture.
5. Smoke it. Breaking out the smoker for smoked bacon-wrapped meatloaf is totally worth it. Bacony goodness goes to the very core.

Tips and Tricks

1. Avoid overmixing and overbaking to avoid a tough or dry meatloaf.
2. Use a grater to prep your veggies if you want to skip the sauteing part to maximize the savory flavors.
3. Pack the meat mixture as firmly as possible to prevent the meatloaf from falling apart.
4. I bake my meatloaf uncovered because the bacon keeps it moist, and I like crispy bacon. But if you’re worried the meatloaf might dry out, cover the top with aluminum foil, then broil it for a minute to crisp up the crust.

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

Bacon-wrapped meatloaf is a great make-ahead recipe for big crowds, potlucks, and family get-togethers. Prep and bake as instructed, pop it in the freezer, and reheat when ready to serve. Easy peasy!

Take it out of the freezer and thaw it overnight in the freezer when the big day comes. Then bake as usual and enjoy.

Store the leftover meatloaf in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with a cling wrap, removing as much air as possible to keep it moist. It will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days or three months in the freezer. Heat it in the oven and enjoy. BTW, meatloaf makes excellent sandwiches.

What to Enjoy With Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf

Besides cream cheese mashed potatoes, green beans, homemade garlic bread, and creamy coleslaw are classic pairings.

More Deliciously Meaty Main Dishes to Try

1. Bacon-Wrapped Chicken
2. Stuffed Pork Chops
3. Jamaican Fried Chicken
4. Oven Pot Roast
5. Baked Spatchcock Turkey

Watch How to Make It

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By Imma

This blog post was originally published in April 2022 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video