Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf

This Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf is a nostalgic, family-friendly main dish that makes dinner so very awesome. Studded with cheese and topped with crispy bacon and a tangy sauce, you're gonna crave this constantly.

There's no one right way to witch. We say it all the time on the podcast. Each person has to decide what's right for them, and none of us gets to say what's right for anyone else. The principle of cause and effect is so complex that even the most positive intentions can sometimes have negative consequences. We're all just doing our best to be happy.

Similarly, there's no one right way to eat. With the constant change in what is acceptable or healthy, it can be impossible to make good choices sometimes. But more than that, for me, food is much more than just a means to keep my body running. If eating was truly equivalent to putting fuel in the tank, then we wouldn't have taste buds or an acute sense of smell. On a purely scientific level, I'm sure there's an evolutionary argument for the perception of flavor. But on a spiritual level, I just can't ignore how good delicious food makes me feel. I don't have the right answer. I can only do what feels right for me. So here I am eating meatloaf again. Because guys, it's just so freakin' good.

What makes Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf so awesome?

This Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf might be the most ridiculous in my collection so far, but I refuse to apologise. Crispy bits of bacon are studded throughout, along with plenty of shredded cheese. Then there's a tangy sauce of ketchup, mustard, and a dash of hot sauce. Oh, and we're bringing back some of that crispy bacon as a topping. If fried onions or pickle relish are your jam, throw some of that in there as well.

Why not just make cheeseburgers? Well, this is a much easier way to feed everyone all at once. You can simply mix all the ingredients together and pop it in the oven rather than standing over the stove or grill like a short order cook. I like to serve this with mashed potatoes, but fries would be great, too. So maybe your heart won't actually want you to eat this every week, but every now and then is totally fine for something this delicious.

Make it magical

Cooking is a beautiful way to reconnect with your ancestors. Something like meatloaf actually connects me to my recent ancestors, the ones I knew in life. While this isn't a family recipe, a humble dish like this reminds me that my mother and grandmothers were doing the best they could, often with limited resources, to make their families feel loved. Even if some days they didn't feel like making dinner, they did it. Or at least they made sure everyone was fed. I thank them for the humility and hard work they instilled in me, and I take strength from their legacy.

For details on the magical properties of the ingredients in this recipe, check the Kitchen Magick page.

Ingredients

Here's everything you'll need for this meatloaf. All the details are in the recipe card below.

• Bacon - smoked and streaky, if you're in the UK
• Ground beef - I'd go with about 10% fat here. You don't want it to be dry, but you also don't necessarily want a puddle of grease.
• Cheese - Sharp shredded cheddar is awesome, but it's also okay to use up leftover cheese for this.
• Eggs
• Bread crumbs
• Mayonnaise
• Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper
• Ketchup
• Mustard - Classic yellow (American) mustard has cheeseburger vibes, but use whatever you got.
• Hot sauce - Your favorite type

Tips for making Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf

I love meatloaf for its simplicity. All you have to do is squish a bunch of ingredients together, smoosh it together, and put it in the oven. There's barely any nuance. You don't want to overmix your meat mixture, otherwise it gets tough or spongy. The best way to get everything combined is to actually just get in there with clean hands. Get everything evenly incorporated, then form your loaf.

This recipe does start out by cooking some bacon. I like to use scissors to cut it right into the pan. You'll mix most of your crispy bacon in with the rest of the loaf, but safe some for bacon sprinkles.

You can cook this in a loaf pan, or bake it free form on a baking sheet. I like this option because it give you a bit more surface area for the outer crust that adds so much texture.

The sauce for this is a basic mix up of classic burger condiments. Feel free to add relish if you like it. Spoon that over the top of your meatloaf before baking. Oh, and don't forget to let it rest for about 10 minutes before you slice into it.

I hope you give this Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf a try. It's humble and rustic and old-fashioned, but it's also really freakin' awesome.

Looking for more awesome meatloaf recipes? Try this Cranberry Turkey Meatloaf or some Mini Cheddar Meatloaves.

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