Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf: Your New Go-To Comfort Food Masterpiece
Get ready to savor a truly unforgettable meal with this incredibly delicious and mouthwatering Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf recipe! It’s an incredibly simple dish, perfect for those evenings when you’re craving classic American comfort food. This ingenious combination takes the beloved flavors of a juicy cheeseburger and merges them seamlessly with the nostalgic warmth of a homemade meatloaf, creating a culinary triumph that everyone at your table will adore. Say goodbye to boring dinners and hello to a new family favorite!
There’s an undeniable magic to a perfectly crafted cheeseburger. That delightful blend of melted cheddar, crisp, tangy pickles, smoky bacon, and tender, well-seasoned meat is simply irresistible. In our home, we elevate cheeseburgers to an art form, always making room for those iconic American flavors. This recipe captures that very essence, transforming it into a hearty, satisfying meatloaf that brings all the joy of your favorite burger without the bun.
The foundation of this incredible meatloaf is savory ground beef, cooked to perfection and infused with a powerful trio of flavors: rich Worcestershire sauce, sweet and tangy ketchup, and zesty mustard. These condiments aren’t just for dipping; they are expertly blended into the meatloaf mixture itself, contributing deep, complex, and tantalizing flavors that make every bite a delight. The result is a moist, flavorful loaf that truly tastes like a gourmet bacon cheeseburger.
This Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf isn’t just a meal; it’s a fantastic recipe to keep in your repertoire for when you want to surprise and impress your family or treat yourself to something special. It offers a unique and delicious spin on traditional meatloaf recipes, providing a familiar comfort food with an exciting, burger-inspired twist. If you enjoy other creative meatloaf dishes, such as our stuffed meatloaf or Mom’s famous pork sausage meatloaf, you’ll undoubtedly find this cheeseburger version to be a welcome addition to your dinner rotation.
The Story Behind This Must-Try Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf Recipe
Some recipes just stick with you, waiting for the perfect moment to come to life in your kitchen. This particular Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf recipe has held a special place in my “I want to make” file since 2012! It was shared with me by my dear friend, Gerry, many years ago, and from the moment she described it, I knew I had to try it. Fast forward to today, and I’m incredibly thrilled to say that it finally happened, and it was everything I imagined and more.
Gerry originally printed this gem of a recipe off from The Food Network, crediting the one and only Paula Deen. She enthusiastically recounted how she prepared it and assured me that our family would fall in love with its unique flavors. And she was absolutely right! As with many recipes I adopt, I couldn’t resist adding a few personal touches and a little spin of my own to truly make it unique and perfectly suited to our taste buds. This meatloaf has become a cherished recipe, a testament to good friends and delicious food.
Why This Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf Will Become Your Favorite
This isn’t just another meatloaf recipe; it’s a culinary experience designed to bring joy and ease to your kitchen. Here are just a few reasons why you’ll absolutely adore this Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf:
- Effortlessly Easy: Forget complicated cooking processes! This recipe is incredibly straightforward. All you need to do is combine a few simple ingredients in a bowl, shape them into a loaf, and transfer them to a pan for baking. It’s truly that easy! This simplicity makes it a perfect choice for busy weeknights when you want a hearty, flavorful meal without spending hours in the kitchen. You’ll love how quickly you can get this dish prepped and into the oven.
- Irresistibly Mouthwatering: Prepare your taste buds for an explosion of flavor! Juicy, smoky bacon is perfectly blended with creamy, mild cheddar cheese, creating a meatloaf that is astonishingly tender, rich in flavor, and deeply satisfying. Every bite is packed with those unmistakable cheesy cheeseburger notes that will leave you craving more. It’s comfort food redefined, taking familiar flavors to an exciting new level.
- Delightfully Family-Friendly: This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for all ages. Both adults and kids will eagerly dig into this savory dish. What’s more, most of the ingredients required are pantry staples, meaning you likely already have them on hand. This makes it a convenient and economical choice for family meals, ensuring a delicious dinner without an extra trip to the grocery store.
- Versatile & Adaptable: While the recipe is perfect as written, it’s also wonderfully adaptable. You can easily adjust the type of cheese, add extra spices, or experiment with different toppings to suit your family’s preferences. It’s a great base for culinary creativity!
Essential Ingredients for Your Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
Creating this phenomenal Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf relies on a selection of straightforward ingredients, each playing a crucial role in delivering that signature burger flavor. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:
Ketchup: This sweet and tangy condiment is truly indispensable for meatloaf, providing not just flavor but also essential moisture and a beautiful glaze. It’s the classic base for that signature meatloaf tang and also forms the delicious topping. Use your favorite brand for the best results.
Mustard: For this recipe, classic yellow mustard is the star. It’s often considered a secret ingredient in many savory dishes, and here it truly makes the meatloaf shine. The mustard adds a subtle, zesty tang that cuts through the richness of the meat and cheese, elevating the overall flavor profile. It’s a key component in achieving that authentic cheeseburger taste.
Ground Beef: We recommend using lean ground beef (80/20 or 85/15) for a meatloaf that is juicy but not overly greasy. The fat content contributes to both flavor and moisture. If you prefer, or are looking for a lighter option, ground turkey can be a delicious substitute. For an even richer flavor, you could try a blend of ground beef and pork, or even add a touch of ground veal.
Bacon: The bacon is a non-negotiable component of this “bacon cheeseburger” creation! It’s crucial that the bacon is cooked until crispy and then crumbled before mixing it into the meatloaf. The crispier the bacon, the more texture and smoky flavor it will impart. This adds a fantastic crunch and a rich, salty dimension that truly brings the “bacon” to the meatloaf.
Cheese: Ah, cheese – the heart of any cheeseburger! I typically use mild cheddar cheese for its classic flavor and excellent meltability. However, feel free to experiment with your favorite cheese varieties. American cheese will give it a very classic diner burger taste, pepper jack will add a subtle kick, and Colby Jack offers a lovely creamy texture and mild flavor. Shredded cheese melts evenly and distributes throughout the loaf, creating pockets of cheesy goodness.
Eggs: Eggs are essential binders in meatloaf. They help hold all the ingredients together, preventing the loaf from crumbling apart during baking and slicing. Additionally, they contribute to the meatloaf’s overall moisture and richness, ensuring a tender and succulent texture.
Mayonnaise: This might seem like an unexpected ingredient, but mayonnaise is a fantastic addition to meatloaf. It contributes incredible moisture and richness, resulting in a super tender and flavorful loaf. You can use your favorite store-bought mayonnaise or even make your own if you’re feeling ambitious.
Worcestershire Sauce: Another key ingredient for deep, savory flavor, Worcestershire sauce adds a complex, umami-rich depth that is hard to replicate. It’s a critical component in many classic beef dishes and truly enhances the “meatiness” of this meatloaf, making it incredibly rich and satisfying.
Breadcrumbs: Seasoned breadcrumbs serve multiple purposes. They act as a binder, absorb excess moisture from the meat and other ingredients, and help maintain the meatloaf’s shape. Using seasoned breadcrumbs adds an extra layer of flavor, often containing garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian herbs. If you only have plain breadcrumbs, you can easily add your own seasonings.
Seasoning: Beyond the flavorful condiments, you’ll need the classic duo of salt and pepper. These fundamental seasonings are crucial for bringing out the best in all the other ingredients and balancing the flavors. Feel free to add a dash of garlic powder or onion powder for extra savory notes.
Fried Onions: For an added layer of texture and savory goodness, I love topping this meatloaf with crispy fried onions. While store-bought crispy fried onions work wonderfully, I often opt for my homemade onion strings because they are surprisingly easy to make and definitely worth the extra effort. These give the meatloaf a delightful crunch and a sweet-savory onion flavor that complements the cheeseburger theme perfectly.
Pickles: In my culinary world, a cheeseburger simply isn’t complete without a generous helping of tangy dill pickles. It’s that bright, acidic counterpoint that cuts through the richness. Therefore, this cheeseburger meatloaf absolutely needed that same special touch and zesty flavor! Thinly sliced dill pickles or even bread and butter pickles can add that authentic burger experience.
How to Master the Art of Cheeseburger Meatloaf
Creating this incredibly flavorful Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf is far simpler than you might imagine. With just a few easy steps, you’ll have a hearty, comforting meal ready to impress. Follow these instructions to bring this delicious dish to life:
Step One
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). This ensures your oven is at the optimal temperature for even baking from the moment your meatloaf goes in. While the oven heats, prepare the savory glaze by mixing the ketchup and mustard together in a small bowl. This mixture will be used both inside and as a delicious topping for the meatloaf, giving it that classic burger tang.
Step Two
In a large mixing bowl, combine the lean ground beef with the cooked and crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, beaten eggs, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned breadcrumbs, and the classic salt and pepper. Use your hands to gently, yet thoroughly, mix all the ingredients together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a tougher meatloaf. The goal is to just combine everything evenly.
Step Three
Now, incorporate half of your prepared ketchup and mustard mixture into the meat mixture. Mix gently until just combined. Next, form the seasoned meat mixture into a uniform loaf shape and carefully place it into a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan. Ensure the loaf is evenly distributed in the pan for consistent baking. Spread the remaining ketchup and mustard mixture generously over the top of the meatloaf. This will create a beautiful, tangy crust during baking. Bake uncovered for 40 minutes.
Step Four
After the initial 40 minutes of baking, gently remove the meatloaf from the oven. Evenly sprinkle the French fried onions over the top of the partially cooked meatloaf. Return the pan to the oven and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, or until the beef is no longer pink on the inside and has reached a safe internal temperature. The best way to ensure doneness is to use a meat thermometer; ground beef is fully cooked and safe to eat when its internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71°C).
Once baked to perfection, carefully remove the meatloaf from the pan. Allow it to rest for a few minutes before slicing, as this helps the juices redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful slice.
Finally, for that authentic cheeseburger experience, top your glorious meatloaf with a generous amount of fresh dill pickles, slice it thick, and enjoy every savory, cheesy bite!
Tips for the Perfect Meatloaf
- Don’t Overmix: Overworking the meat can result in a tough, dense meatloaf. Mix until just combined.
- Shape Uniformly: Ensure your loaf is consistent in thickness for even cooking.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: This is the most reliable way to ensure your meatloaf is cooked to a safe temperature (160°F / 71°C for ground beef) without drying it out.
- Let it Rest: Allowing the meatloaf to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking allows the juices to redistribute, making it moister and easier to slice.
Storage and Reheating
Leftover Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf is just as delicious, if not more so, the next day! Store any uneaten portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can slice individual portions and microwave them until warm, or wrap larger pieces in foil and reheat in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until heated through. This meatloaf also freezes beautifully. Wrap cooled slices tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Love This Recipe? Pin It for Later!
Don’t let this incredible recipe slip away! Save this amazingly cheesy Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf for the next time you’re in the mood for a comforting, easy, and utterly delicious dinner. It’s truly a recipe you’ll want to revisit again and again!
What to Serve with This Delectable Meatloaf
This hearty Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf pairs beautifully with a variety of classic American sides. While it’s delicious on its own, here are some of our favorite accompaniments that truly complete the meal:
- We absolutely love to serve this recipe with my homemade double-fried French fries. Their extra crispiness and fluffy interior are the perfect match for the rich meatloaf. Mmm!
- If you’re looking for other potato options, Dorothy’s Potato Salad offers a cool, creamy contrast, ideal for a picnic-style spread.
- For a truly comforting experience, Creamy Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes are always a winner, soaking up all those delicious meatloaf juices.
- For a lighter, yet still satisfying, crunch, try Sweet Potato Chips – a healthier alternative to traditional fries.
- A creamy and flavorful Corn Pie Casserole adds a touch of sweetness and a different texture to the plate.
- Elevate your potato game with Garlic and Rosemary Potatoes, which offer aromatic herbs and a tender bite.
- For a fresh, green side, Garlic Cheese Asparagus provides a vibrant vegetable option with a cheesy twist.
Craving More Cheeseburger-Inspired Delights?
If you’re hooked on the incredible flavor of the beloved American cheeseburger, you’re in luck! This iconic taste can be enjoyed in a myriad of clever and equally delicious recipes. Extend your cheeseburger love affair with these fantastic ideas:
- These Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs (pictured above) are perfect as an appetizer or a fun twist on a weeknight dinner, packed with all the familiar flavors in a bite-sized format.
- Warm and comforting, this Easy Cheeseburger Soup with Bacon is a hearty meal in a bowl, ideal for chilly evenings.
- Combine two family favorites with Crispy Cheeseburger Pizza, offering a unique and satisfying pizza night experience.
- For a fun grilling option, these Delicious Cheeseburger Kebobs are perfect for summer cookouts, bringing the burger flavor to convenient skewers.
- Indulge in the ultimate comfort food fusion with Cheeseburger Stuffed Bread, a hearty loaf filled with cheesy, meaty goodness.
We hope you’re as excited as we are to try Paula Deen’s famous Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf recipe! It’s a dish that truly combines the best of both worlds, offering a comforting and flavorful meal that will quickly become a cherished part of your family’s dinner traditions. Happy cooking!
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Print Recipe
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
Equipment
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Loaf Pans
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
- 10 slices of bacon cooked and crumbled
- 8 ounces mild cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 eggs beaten slightly
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon of each salt & pepper
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons yellow mustard
- ½ cup French fried onions
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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Mix ketchup and mustard together in a small bowl.
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In a large bowl, combine ground beef with bacon, cheese, eggs, mayo, Worcestershire sauce, breadcrumbs and salt & pepper.
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Mix in half of the ketchup/mustard mixture into the meat mixture. Form into a loaf and place in a 9”x5” loaf pan.
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Spread remaining ketchup/mustard mixture over the top of the meatloaf.
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Bake uncovered 40 minutes.
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Sprinkle with onions and continue baking for another 10 -15 minutes. Or until meat is no longer pink in the center. (beef is done when internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F)