Bacon-Wrapped Meat Loaf

From traditional meat loaf to Mexican meat loaf and mini muffin-pan meat loaf, there are about a million ways to loaf around. The best variation, however, has to be bacon-wrapped.

Crispy on the outside and tender inside, a bacon-wrapped meat loaf is a plussed-up way to make meat loaf. Not only does the bacon add a fantastic layer of meaty flavor, but it also helps keep the meat loaf moist and makes a simple dish look elegant.

Bacon-Wrapped Meat Loaf Ingredients

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• Onion
• Garlic cloves
• Canola oil
• 2% milk
• Lightly beaten
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dijon mustard
• Hot pepper sauce
• Crushed saltines
• Fresh parsley
• Salt
• Pepper
• Dried thyme
• Ground beef
• Ground pork
• Ground veal
• Bacon strips

Sauce:

• Ketchup
• Packed brown sugar
• Cider vinegar

Directions

Step 1: Saute the onion and garlic

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a small skillet, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat, then add the onion and garlic. Saute, stirring occasionally, until tender, about four to five minutes.

Step 2: Combine wet ingredients

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard and hot pepper sauce.

Step 3: Mix everything together

Stir in the onion mixture, saltine crackers, parsley, salt, pepper and thyme. Then crumble the beef, veal and pork into the bowl.

Editor’s Tip: Handle the mixture as little as possible for a tender meat loaf. Excessive handling can result in a meat loaf that is dense, dry and/or tough.

Step 4: Shape the meat loaf

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Mix well. Then, with wet hands, shape it into a single loaf and place onto a greased foil-lined rimmed sheet pan or 13-in.x 9-in. baking dish.

Keep in mind that the shape of your meat loaf will impact the overall cooking time. A longer meat loaf with less height will typically cook faster than a shorter meat loaf with more height.

Step 5: Mix the sauce

Next, in a small saucepan, combine the sauce ingredients over medium heat. Cook and stir until the sugar is dissolved, and the sauce has thickened slightly.

Step 6: Wrap it up

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Spoon 1/2 cup of the sauce over the loaf and spread it evenly over the surface. Then, begin wrapping the bacon slices around the meat loaf, overlapping slightly and tucking in the ends under the meat loaf to ensure complete coverage.

If your bacon slices are too long, feel free to trim them to a shorter length. You want just enough so you can tuck the ends under the meat loaf.

Step 7: Bake

Bake, uncovered, for 50 to 55 minutes or until fully cooked in the center. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing. Warm the remaining 1/2 cup sauce and serve with meat loaf.

To make sure your meat loaf is done in the center, use an instant-read thermometer. When it registers 160°, your meat loaf is ready to serve.

Bacon-Wrapped Meat Loaf Variations

Make this recipe your own. Swap the sauce for one from another recipe, add additional ingredients for a flavor change, or follow your favorite celebrity chef’s advice.

• Make it mini: Make smaller loaves and add cheddar for li’l cheddar meat loaf.
• Get inspired by Barefoot Contessa: We bet Ina Garten’s meat loaf with sauteed onions is heavenly!
• Go south of the border: Classic taco ingredients give taco meat loaf lots of Mexican flavor.

Can you freeze bacon-wrapped meat loaf?

Yes! Meat loaf freezes like a dream. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and a layer of heavy-duty foil. Then freeze for up to three months. To reheat, defrost overnight in the refrigerator and then bake, uncovered, in a 350° oven until heated through.

Bacon-Wrapped Meat Loaf Tips

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How can you keep meat loaf moist?

The fat content of your ground meat matters. While choosing lean beef is a great way to cut fat and calories, it can also lead to a dry meat loaf. Choosing ground beef with higher fat content (such as an 80/20 ground chuck) will yield the most juicy meat loaf. The veal and pork help with moisture since they lend additional fat to the recipe.

How do you keep meat loaf from falling apart?

The eggs, milk and crackers are key to binding a meat loaf together. When combined, they make a “glue” that helps the meat loaf hold its shape. For best results, measure carefully and mix well to evenly distribute them throughout the meat loaf.

If your meat loaf is struggling to hold together, gradually add additional milk, cracker crumbs and/or an extra egg until the desired consistency is reached.

What kind of bacon should you use for bacon-wrapped meat loaf?

Make sure to use thin or classic-cut bacon for this recipe. While we love thick-sliced bacon with breakfast, it isn’t the ideal type of bacon for this recipe since it will not crisp enough in the oven.

What do you serve with bacon-wrapped meat loaf?

Homestyle side dishes like baked macaroni and cheese, creamed spinach or any one of these cornbread recipes are all delicious pairings with bacon-wrapped meat loaf.