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Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf is a dressed up version of a favorite comfort food. Lightly seasoned and covered with bacon and a delicious ketchup balsamic glaze it is a fun twist on a classic dish.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is pure comfort food! I grew up eating meatloaf so it is a comfort food for me. The best part of having meatloaf for dinner though was having a meatloaf sandwich the next day!
The addition of bacon takes a traditional meatloaf up a notch or two. I find that meatloaf often has a bad reputation, but not when you wrap it in bacon.
Ingredients Needed
- Ground Beef, I like to use a 90/10 ground beef
- Bacon, thin slices
- Eggs
- Bread Crumbs or Panko
- Brown Sugar
- Mayonnaise
- Ketchup
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Garlic
- Minced Onions
- Italian Seasoning
- Salt and Pepper
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf
- Combine ketchup, brown sugar and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl and stir until well combined. Set aside.
- Combine remaining ingredients, except bacon, in a separate bowl. With clean hands, mix the ingredients until combined well
- Form into a loaf and place it on a broiler pan.Â
- Add a thin layer of ketchup gravy to the shaped meatloaf.
- Wrap meatloaf with thin slices of bacon covering the entire meatloaf but not overlapping the bacon. Tuck the ends of the bacon under the meatloaf. The thin bacon will cook quicker than a thick cut bacon.
- Add another light layer of the glaze over the top of the bacon.
- Bake the meatloaf at 350 degrees F for about 40 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and cover with the remaining ketchup mixture.
- Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees F. and bake for another 12-15 minutes until glaze sets. If the bacon appears to be burning, cover the top of the meatloaf with foil.Â
- Cook to desired temperature, I cook mine to about 155 degrees F. I always use my favorite Therma Pen meat thermometer to check the temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of a broiler pan?
Place an oven safe baking rack onto a baking sheet and place the meatloaf onto the baking rack. You could also line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the meatloaf on that.
Try some of our other favorite family dinner ideas:
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Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
Meatloaf Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef extra lean
- 4 tsp garlic
- 2 Tbsp minced dried onion
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- 2 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 8-10 thin bacon slices
Meatloaf Glaze
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Place all meatloaf ingredients except for the bacon and Ketchup Glaze ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix to combine.
- With clean hands, mix the ingredients until combined well
- Form the mixture into a loaf shape and place on a broiler pan, this will allow the fat from the meat to drain
- Lay bacon slices over the top, tucking them underneath the meatloaf
- Make the tomato gravy
- Pour the ketchup into a small bowl, add brown sugar and balsamic vinegar
- Stir the mixture until well combined
- Brush a light coating of ketchup glaze over meatloaf. Add strips of bacon in a single layer, not overlapping. Brush with another light coat of tomato gravy.
- Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and brush with remaining ketchup glaze. Increase heat of oven to 400 degrees F. and bake for another 15-20 minutes of until internal temperature reaches 155-160 degrees F.
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Facts:
Rebecca says
My husband’s motto is “everything tastes better with bacon.” So, I was sold on this recipe as soon as I saw the bacon wrap. Thanks for the review!
Renee A. says
The pics of your meatloaf look so elegant! I have a recipe that’s not bad, but I must admit your looks pretty good. Sadly, whenever I make meatloaf, I have to set aside enough meat to make patties for my 14 and 4 year old…oh well!
Jennifer says
Pioneer Woman has another meatloaf recipe on her website that was done by Pastor Ryan. I think it is called Cajun Meatloaf and it is delicious. I have never been able to find a meatloaf that we liked, but this one did the trick. I revised it a little and put the bacon and tomato gravy on it also.
Pauline says
HaHa. I had grey meatloaf once too. The woman kept asking me I thought it was done yet and I kept saying no because of the color and then I found out it was ground turkey or chicken meatloaf. Not a pretty color and it never browns.
MelanieL says
We’re meatloaf fans and this looks delicious! I’m loving your “reviews” of her recipes, thanks! I need to get on the ball trying them out myself! I have the book I don’t know what I’m waiting for:)