Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf Recipe

Are you ready to transform your dinner routine with a mouthwatering twist on classic meatloaf? The bacon cheeseburger meatloaf isn't just another weeknight meal—it's a culinary adventure that'll have your family asking for seconds. By combining the hearty comfort of traditional meatloaf with the irresistible flavors of a cheeseburger, you'll create a dish that bridges nostalgia and innovation. Intrigued by how simple ingredients can become something extraordinary? Let's explore this game-changing recipe that promises to elevate your home cooking.

Recipe Highlights

• A bacon cheeseburger meatloaf combines ground beef, chopped bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese into a flavorful, hearty main dish that serves 6-8 people.
• Prepare the meatloaf by mixing ground beef, bacon, cheese, breadcrumbs, and eggs, then shape into a loaf and bake at 375°F until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
• The recipe requires simple ingredients like 2 pounds of 80/20 ground beef, 8 bacon slices, 2 cups of cheddar cheese, 1 cup breadcrumbs, and 2 eggs.
• Allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes after baking to redistribute juices, ensuring a moist and tender final product with enhanced flavor and texture.
• Serve the bacon cheeseburger meatloaf with classic sides like mashed potatoes and a green salad to create a complete, satisfying meal that combines comfort food flavors.

History

While meatloaf has deep roots in American culinary traditions, the bacon cheeseburger meatloaf represents a more contemporary fusion of classic comfort foods.

You'll find this dish emerging from mid-20th century home cooking experiments, where creative cooks began blending familiar flavors into innovative recipes. Culinary historians trace its origins to the 1950s and 1960s, when processed cheese and ground beef became staple ingredients in middle-class kitchens.

The dish reflects a quintessential American approach to cooking: taking familiar elements and transforming them into something unexpectedly delicious. Regional variations began appearing in community cookbooks and family recipe collections, with home chefs adding their personal twists.

Recipe

Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf is a delightful fusion of two classic comfort foods, bringing together the hearty satisfaction of meatloaf with the irresistible flavors of a bacon cheeseburger. This dish transforms ordinary ground beef into a mouthwatering meal that's sure to please both family and friends, offering a unique twist on traditional meatloaf recipes.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and bold flavor profile. By incorporating crispy bacon, melted cheese, and familiar ground beef, home cooks can create a show-stopping main course that requires minimal preparation and delivers maximum taste.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground beef (80/20)
• 8 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 large eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×5 inch loaf pan. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, half of the chopped bacon, 1.5 cups of cheese, breadcrumbs, eggs, salt, and pepper.

Mix gently but thoroughly, being careful not to overwork the meat mixture. Transfer the meat mixture to the loaf pan, shaping it into an even loaf. Top the meatloaf with the remaining bacon and cheese.

Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Once done, remove from the oven and let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

For the best results, use a meat thermometer to ensure proper doneness, and consider placing a pan of water on the bottom rack of the oven to help maintain moisture.

If the bacon begins to brown too quickly, cover the top of the meatloaf with aluminum foil to prevent burning while allowing the meat to continue cooking evenly.

Cooking Steps

To create a mouthwatering bacon cheeseburger meatloaf, you'll want to follow a straightforward series of cooking steps that transform simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing meal.

You'll begin by gathering all your ingredients and equipment, ensuring everything is prepped and ready for seamless preparation.

Next, you'll mix the ground beef, bacon, cheese, breadcrumbs, and eggs together, shape the mixture into a perfect loaf, and then bake it to golden, sizzling perfection.

Step 1. Gather Ingredients and Equipment

Your bacon cheeseburger meatloaf adventure begins with careful ingredient and equipment preparation. Gather your key tools first: a large mixing bowl, 9×5 inch loaf pan, measuring cups, cutting board, and sharp knife.

Check your ingredient inventory against the recipe: 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend), 8 bacon slices, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup breadcrumbs, and 2 large eggs.

Recommended equipment checklist:

• Measuring cups
• Large mixing bowl
• Loaf pan
• Cutting board
• Sharp kitchen knife
• Meat thermometer

Ensure ingredients are fresh and at room temperature. Chop bacon into small, uniform pieces. Measure cheese and breadcrumbs precisely. Crack eggs into a separate small bowl to prevent shell fragments from contaminating the mixture.

Preheat your oven to 375°F, setting the stage for a delicious meal.

Step 2. Mix Ingredients Together

Dive into the heart of your bacon cheeseburger meatloaf by carefully combining the ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl. Grab your ground beef, ensuring it's the 80/20 blend for optimal moisture and flavor. Crumble the meat gently, creating a loose texture that'll keep your meatloaf tender.

Add the following ingredients:

• Half the chopped bacon
• 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Breadcrumbs
• Eggs

Mix with a light touch, using your hands or a fork. Avoid overworking the mixture, which can make the meatloaf tough. Blend until ingredients are just combined, maintaining a loose, cohesive texture.

You're aiming for an even distribution of cheese, bacon, and binding agents without compacting the meat too densely. The goal is a moist, flavorful meatloaf that'll have everyone asking for seconds.

Step 3. Shape Mixture Into Loaf

Once you've mixed your ingredients, transfer the bacon cheeseburger meatloaf mixture to a 9×5 inch loaf pan, ensuring an even distribution. Press the meat gently but firmly into the pan's corners, creating a uniform shape that will cook evenly.

Use your hands to mold the mixture, avoiding excessive compacting which can make the meatloaf dense and tough.

• Center the mixture in the pan
• Smooth the top with gentle, even pressure
• Leave a slight dome shape for aesthetic appeal

Pat the surface to remove air pockets, which can create uneven cooking zones. The loaf should look compact yet not overly compressed, maintaining a light, tender texture.

Aim for a consistent thickness across the entire meatloaf, approximately 2-3 inches high, to guarantee proper cooking and optimal moisture retention.

Step 4. Bake in Preheated Oven

After carefully molding the meatloaf mixture into a uniform shape, slide the loaf pan into the preheated 375°F oven.

Position the pan in the center rack to ensure even heat distribution, which helps cook your bacon cheeseburger meatloaf thoroughly and consistently.

Set your timer for 60-70 minutes, checking periodically to monitor browning. If the bacon starts to crisp too quickly, gently cover the top with aluminum foil.

The meatloaf is done when its internal temperature reaches 160°F, which you can verify using an instant-read meat thermometer.

• Watch for golden-brown edges
• Look for rendering bacon fat
• Ensure no pink remains in the meat

Once cooked, remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.

This resting period allows juices to redistribute, guaranteeing a moist, flavorful result.

Step 5. Rest Before Serving

When your bacon cheeseburger meatloaf emerges from the oven, bubbling with melted cheese and crispy bacon, it'll be tempting to slice into it immediately—but patience is key.

Allow the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes on a sturdy cutting board or wire rack. This crucial resting period lets the internal juices redistribute, ensuring each slice remains moist and tender.

Use this time to:

• Tent the meatloaf loosely with aluminum foil
• Prepare any side dishes
• Let the internal temperature stabilize

During resting, the proteins in the meat will relax, making slicing easier and preventing the meatloaf from crumbling.

When you're ready to serve, use a sharp chef's knife to cut clean, even slices about 1-inch thick, revealing the melted cheese and bacon-studded interior.

Final Thoughts

If you're looking to impress your family or guests with a crowd-pleasing meal, this bacon cheeseburger meatloaf will definitely do the trick.

You'll find it's an ingenious way to transform classic burger flavors into a hearty, comforting dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. The combination of melted cheese, crispy bacon, and well-seasoned ground beef creates a memorable main course that'll have everyone asking for seconds.

Remember to let the meatloaf rest after baking, which helps the juices redistribute and ensures each slice is moist and flavorful.

Serve with classic sides like mashed potatoes or a crisp green salad to complete the meal. Your culinary skills will shine through this simple yet impressive recipe.