Description
Hearty BBQ bacon cheeseburger meatloaf combines classic comfort food with bold burger flavors. Cheese, bacon, and tangy barbecue sauce create a satisfying meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 4 slices bacon
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 large egg
Seasonings and Binders:
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even cooking.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, gently combine ground beef with bread crumbs, whisking the egg to bind the ingredients together.
- Incorporate finely chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper, blending thoroughly without overmixing.
- Fold in crispy crumbled bacon and sharp cheddar cheese, distributing evenly throughout the meat mixture.
- Carefully mold the seasoned meat into a compact, uniform loaf shape, ensuring consistent thickness for balanced cooking.
- Transfer the formed loaf to a rectangular baking dish, creating slight space around the edges for heat circulation.
- Generously brush the entire surface with tangy BBQ sauce, creating a glossy, caramelized coating.
- Slide the prepared meatloaf into the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Remove from oven and allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes, enabling juices to redistribute and ensuring a moist, tender texture.
- Slice into hearty portions and serve immediately, garnishing with additional BBQ sauce if desired.
Notes
- Add extra crispy bacon on top for enhanced crunch and smoky flavor that elevates the entire dish.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for healthier or vegetarian options without losing rich taste profile.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe completely gluten-free while maintaining the classic meatloaf texture.
- Consider low-sodium BBQ sauce and reduced-fat cheese for a lighter version that still delivers incredible comfort food satisfaction.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg