BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf Recipe

When your family requests a hearty dinner that transforms classic burger flavors into a comforting casserole, BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf becomes your go-to solution. You'll love how this recipe reimagines ground beef with a decadent twist, combining familiar ingredients into a show-stopping main course that'll have everyone asking for seconds. Want to know how to create a meatloaf that's anything but boring? Keep reading to unlock a crowd-pleasing recipe that elevates weeknight cooking from mundane to mouthwatering.

Recipe Highlights

• A BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf combines ground beef, bacon, cheddar cheese, and BBQ sauce into a flavorful twist on traditional meatloaf.
• Use 80/20 ground beef, chopped bacon, breadcrumbs, and BBQ sauce, carefully mixing ingredients to maintain moisture and prevent overworking the meat.
• Shape the meatloaf in a 9×5 inch loaf pan, topping with bacon strips and additional BBQ sauce for enhanced flavor and presentation.
• Bake at 375°F for approximately one hour, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 160°F and adding melted cheese during the final 5 minutes of cooking.
• Serve sliced with sides like mashed potatoes, garnish with extra bacon or cheese, and pair with additional BBQ sauce for a complete meal experience.

History

Although meatloaf has roots dating back to ancient Roman cookbooks, the classic American version emerged in the early 20th century as a resourceful way to stretch affordable ground meat during challenging economic periods.

You'll find that home cooks quickly transformed this humble dish into a versatile comfort food, adapting it to regional tastes and available ingredients.

The BBQ bacon cheeseburger meatloaf represents a modern culinary evolution, blending traditional techniques with contemporary flavor profiles.

By combining classic meatloaf preparation with burger-inspired ingredients, you're participating in a long-standing tradition of kitchen creativity.

This recipe reflects how home cooking continuously reinvents itself, taking familiar components and reimagining them into something exciting and delicious.

Each slice tells a story of culinary innovation and cultural adaptation.

Recipe

BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf is a delightful twist on traditional meatloaf, transforming the classic comfort food into a mouthwatering burger-inspired dish. By combining ground beef, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and tangy BBQ sauce, this recipe elevates a simple weeknight meal into a crowd-pleasing favorite.

The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and bold flavors, bringing together the best elements of a cheeseburger in a hearty, baked format. With just a few key ingredients and minimal preparation time, home cooks can create a satisfying meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground beef (80/20)
• 8 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 cup plain breadcrumbs

Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×5 inch loaf pan. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, half the chopped bacon, 1 cup of cheese, 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, and breadcrumbs. Mix gently but thoroughly, being careful not to overwork the meat mixture.

Shape the meat mixture into a loaf and place it in the prepared pan. Top the loaf with remaining bacon strips and brush generously with the remaining BBQ sauce. Bake for 1 hour, then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes golden.

For the best results, let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes after baking to help it hold its shape when slicing. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F for food safety, and if the bacon begins to brown too quickly, cover the loaf with aluminum foil during baking.

Cooking Steps

You'll start by combining your ground beef, chopped bacon, shredded cheese, BBQ sauce, and breadcrumbs in a large mixing bowl, gently blending the ingredients until they're just incorporated.

Next, shape the meat mixture into a classic loaf form, carefully transferring it to a 9×5 inch loaf pan and topping it with additional bacon strips and a generous brush of BBQ sauce.

Bake the meatloaf at 375°F, watching for a golden-brown exterior and melted cheese finish that transforms this dish from simple comfort food to a restaurant-worthy masterpiece.

Step 1. Combine Ingredients in Bowl

Grab a generously-sized mixing bowl and prepare to transform your ground beef into a mouthwatering meatloaf masterpiece.

You'll want to start by carefully measuring out your ingredients: 2 pounds of ground beef, half the chopped bacon, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, and the breadcrumbs.

Combine the ingredients systematically:

• Break up the ground beef gently
• Distribute bacon pieces evenly
• Mix in cheese thoroughly
• Add breadcrumbs gradually
• Pour in BBQ sauce

Use your hands to blend everything, but don't overwork the mixture. The goal is a cohesive blend that holds together without becoming dense or tough.

Stop mixing when ingredients are just incorporated, with no large dry spots visible. The texture should be moist but not soggy, ready to be shaped into a perfect loaf that'll make your taste buds dance.

Step 2. Shape Into Loaf

After carefully mixing your ingredients, transfer the meat mixture to a 9×5 inch loaf pan, ensuring an even distribution and compact formation. Use your hands to gently press the mixture into a uniform shape, creating a slightly domed top that'll help prevent pooling of BBQ sauce and melted cheese.

Pat down the edges to eliminate air pockets, which can cause uneven cooking.

Key shaping tips:

• Avoid overcompressing the meat
• Maintain about 1-inch height
• Create smooth, rounded edges
• Leave slight space around pan sides for fat drainage

Smooth the surface with light, even pressure, ensuring the meatloaf maintains its structural integrity.

Your goal is a cohesive, appetizing loaf that'll cook evenly and hold together when sliced.

Step 3. Top With Bacon

Once the meatloaf mixture is shaped and nestled in the loaf pan, strategically layering the remaining bacon strips becomes crucial for adding flavor and creating an irresistible crispy topping.

Arrange the bacon strips carefully across the top of the meatloaf, allowing them to slightly overlap but not bunch up. You'll want to cover most of the surface, leaving small gaps for the BBQ sauce to peek through. The bacon won't just add a smoky crunch—it'll also help baste the meatloaf during cooking.

Key bacon placement tips:

• Use cold bacon for easier handling
• Lay strips perpendicular to the loaf's length
• Trim excess fatty edges if needed
• Ensure even coverage for consistent cooking

Gently press the bacon strips to help them adhere to the meat's surface, creating a delicious, crispy exterior that'll make your meatloaf look professional and taste extraordinary.

Step 4. Bake Until Golden Brown

When baking your BBQ bacon cheeseburger meatloaf, you'll want to ensure a perfectly golden-brown exterior that promises both visual appeal and delectable flavor.

Place the meatloaf in a preheated 375°F oven, and monitor its progress carefully. Look for these key indicators of doneness:

• Crispy, caramelized bacon edges
• Deep mahogany-brown surface
• Visible BBQ sauce glazing
• Internal temperature reaching 160°F

Watch for potential browning issues during the hour-long bake. If the top begins to darken too quickly, tent the meatloaf with aluminum foil to prevent burning.

This technique helps maintain moisture while achieving that desirable golden-brown crust. Use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature, ensuring both safety and optimal texture.

After removing from the oven, let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to lock in those irresistible juices.

Step 5. Add Melted Cheese

The cheese finale transforms your BBQ bacon cheeseburger meatloaf from delicious to absolutely irresistible.

Once your meatloaf has baked for an hour, carefully sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the top, covering the surface with a generous layer.

Return the pan to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the cheese to:

• Melt completely
• Become slightly golden
• Create a smooth, glossy finish

Watch closely during these final minutes to prevent over-browning.

The cheese should look smooth and slightly bubbling, with edges turning a light golden color.

When done, remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.

This resting period helps the cheese set and makes slicing easier, ensuring each serving has a perfect cheese-topped presentation.

Final Thoughts

While BBQ bacon cheeseburger meatloaf might sound like an indulgent culinary experiment, it's actually a foolproof dinner solution that'll transform your weeknight meal routine.

This recipe balances comfort food with innovative flavor, offering a crowd-pleasing dish that's both simple and impressive.

Key takeaways for meatloaf mastery include:

• Always use 80/20 ground beef for optimal moisture
• Let the meatloaf rest before slicing to maintain structure
• Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer
• Don't overmix the meat mixture

Your BBQ bacon cheeseburger meatloaf represents more than just dinner—it's a testament to creative cooking that doesn't sacrifice ease or taste.

By following these guidelines, you'll craft a meal that's hearty, delicious, and sure to become a family favorite.

Trust the process, embrace the flavors, and enjoy your culinary creation.