Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf

This Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf is a mashup of a burger with a classic meatloaf recipe and happens to be one of our family’s favorite comfort foods. With 15 minutes of prep time, it’s an easy dish that will feed a crowd!

Why choose between a cheeseburger or meatloaf when you can have both in one recipe? Our Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf is insanely delicious and easy to make. With approachable ingredients (that are affordable too), you can have a home cooked meal ready any night of the week.

We love that this meatloaf only uses one bowl to keep cleanup minimal as well. Paired with our Whipped Mashed Potatoes or Cornbread, it’s a dinner that your family will be asking for over and over.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Mashup recipe of two favorite recipes. We are combining a burger and a meatloaf into one delicious, bacon cheeseburger meatloaf. It’s a recipe the whole family will love.
• Foolproof dinner that is prepped in 15 minutes. All you have to do is cook the bacon and stir together the ground beef mixture and the oven does the rest of the work for you.
• Easy to pair with all sorts of sides. Add a potato on the side, whether it’s mashed or roasted, and you’re good to go!

Laura Ashley’s Tip: Don’t overmix the meatloaf ground beef mixture. If you do mix it too much, this can make the meatloaf tough and rubbery in texture after baking.

ingredients

Scroll Down to the Bottom of this Post for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Printable Recipe Card 

Meatloaf Layer:

• Lean ground beef: The base of the meatloaf, we like to use lean here since it will release less fat and moisture as it bakes.
• Crushed crackers: Binds the meatloaf together and makes it tender.
• Garlic powder: Adds nice garlicky flavor to every bite.
• Onion powder: Gives the meatloaf blend a sweet onion flavor.
• Egg: Binds the meat mixture together.
• Ketchup: Adds tomato sweetness to the base.
• Yellow mustard: Adds acid and tang that’s key in a cheeseburger.
• Cooked and crumbled bacon: Make sure it’s fully cooked before stirring into the meat mixture. Adds a layer of smoky, meaty flavor.
• Worcestershire sauce: Gives the meatloaf an umami taste.
• Diced cheese (1/2-inch cubes) cheddar, Colby jack, pepper jack, Swiss, or American cheese: Key to making this a cheeseburger meatloaf, we cube the cheese so that it melts into the meatloaf while also keeping some of that signature cheesy flavor.

Topping:

• Ketchup: Adds that signature caramelized tomato top that we all love on meatloaf.
• Brown sugar: Gives an extra hint of sweetness.
• Worcestershire sauce: Adds more tang to every bite.
• Optional Garnishes: We love to add things like additional cooked and crumbled bacon, additional diced cheese, sliced green onions, minced parsley, dried and diced dill pickles, sesame seeds

Tools You’ll Need

• Meatloaf Pan or Loaf Pan
• Small and Medium Mixing Bowl 
• Paring Knife
• Cutting Board
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Liquid Measuring Cups

how to make bacon cheeseburger meatloaf

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a loaf pan or shape into a loaf on a baking sheet.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, cracker crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, egg, ketchup, mustard, 1/2 cup of the cooked and crumbled bacon, Worcestershire sauce, cheese, and seasoning salt or salt and pepper. Mix just until everything is well incorporated. Don’t overmix.

3. Transfer the mixture into the prepared loaf pan or shape into a loaf.

4. Bake 50 minutes. While it bakes, in a small bowl, whisk together the glaze: ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.

5. Carefully remove the meatloaf from the oven. Brush the glaze evenly on top. Bake an addition 10-15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.

6. Rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with additional toppings as desired. 

expert tips

• Cook the bacon before adding it to the meat mixture. This is key to make sure the bacon has texture when mixed into the ground beef mixture to infuse every bite with that smoky flavor.
• Don’t overmix the meatloaf ground beef mixture. If you do mix it too much, this can make the meatloaf tough and rubbery in texture after baking.
• You know when the meatloaf is finished baking when a meat thermometer registers 160ºF. This is the easiest way to guarantee it’s cooked through and ready to be enjoyed.
• Use lean ground beef as the base to the meatloaf. We are adding so much flavor and moisture to the mixture before baking for a tender meatloaf every single time. If using a leaner beef, chicken, or turkey, add 1/4 cup mayonnaise to the mix.

what to serve with bacon cheeseburger meatloaf

This cheeseburger meatloaf pairs so well with main side dish recipes. We often love to serve it with:

• Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Ranch Roasted Potatoes
• Bacon Cheddar Biscuits
• Jalapeño Creamed Corn
• Loaded Baked Potato Salad

storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or in the microwave until warmed through.

You can freeze leftover cheeseburger meatloaf as well. We recommend to cut it into slices then freeze into individual portions for easy reheating on a busy night. Freeze for up to 2 months wrapped in parchment paper then plastic wrap.

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More comforting dinner recipes

• Beef Cobbler
• Chicken Cornbread Casserole
• Chicken Meatloaf
• Johnny Marzetti Casserole