Meatloaf Topped with Bacon, is a moist and savory meatloaf with a bacon topping to make it extra moist and delicious. Also, try my Veal Marsala Recipe, Reuben Sandwich with a Twist, Beyond Meat Burgers or New England Lobster Roll.
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Key Takeaways:
- Meatloaf with Bacon Topping: This recipe combines moist, flavorful meatloaf with a savory bacon topping for extra moisture and taste.
- Customizable Meat Blend: Use 2-3 types of ground meat, such as beef, pork, turkey, or sausage, with at least 25-30% fat for optimal flavor and texture.
- Secret Ingredient: Onion soup mix is the “simple is smart” secret to a flavorful meatloaf, along with ketchup, steak sauce, eggs, and bread crumbs for moisture and light texture.
- Baking Tips: A meatloaf pan with a drainage system ensures a moist, non-greasy result. Preheat the oven to 350°F or bake alongside other dishes at 375°F.
- Serving Suggestions: Pair with beef gravy, creamy mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, or green beans with sage browned butter. Leftovers make excellent sandwiches.
- Double the Batch: Meatloaf freezes well for future meals; make a double batch to save time later.
Meat vs. Plant Based meatloaf.
YUMMY Meatloaf. Growing up as a vegetarian, I loved a plant-based meatloaf that my mom used to make. It was delicious hot for dinner with gravy, and when I was lucky, there was some leftover. With 10 kids in our family, that was rare. I looked forward to having the leftovers the next day in a sandwich. BTW I’ve made this recipe with the beyond meat burger, and it is delicious and vegetarian.
What constitutes a perfect meatloaf?
It took me a while to create a meat-based meatloaf that was as moist and soft as the one I had growing up, and not fall apart when sliced. Meatloaf should not fall apart when it is sliced hot. This meatloaf is the perfect combination of moist but firm. Flavorful and delicious, both hot or cold. The bacon on top is Farmer Fred’s idea. Lol, no surprise, and it does add moisture and flavor.
What is in This Meatloaf With a Bacon Topping
Lots of Yum, for starters. Use 2 or 3 different types of ground meat. Beef, pork, veal, turkey, or sausage. The fat in the meat adds flavor and moisture. When one of the meats is low-fat, you will want 25-30% fat in either of the other two meat types.
Seasonings: A package of onion soup mix is the SIS (simple is smart) secret ingredient for the best tasting, most flavorful meatloaf. It is a done for you mixture that is perfect with the meat. Any brand will make the meatloaf delicious.
Lastly, extra moisture with ketchup, eggs, and steak sauce and bread crumbs. How does dry bread crumbs add moisture? It lightens the texture of the loaf and absorbs and locks the moisture within the loaf.
Let’s Make The Meatloaf with A Bacon Topping!
This meatloaf is another SIS (simple is smart) recipe. Put the meat in a bowl and combine. Add all of the rest of the ingredients and mix them together. BTW, no, you can’t overmix this meatloaf. So mix it well to combine all of the ingredients. Your hands work great for this task.
Use a meatloaf pan. This is a double pan that has holes in the bottom of the top pan. The holes let the grease drain off. The result is a moist, non-greasy, perfectly cooked meatloaf.
Farmer Fred says, “Don’t forget the bacon topping!” This is very important, in his opinion.
Bake and Serve the Meatloaf with a Bacon Topping
Preheat the oven when you start to make the meatloaf. Bake the meatloaf at 350-degrees F for about an hour. If you are baking my oven roasted potatoes with the meatloaf, you can bake them both at 375 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour. If you are using large potatoes, cut them into One to two inch chunks or wedges.
Once the meatloaf is done, remove it from the pan with a couple of large spatulas. Slice into one-inch slices and serve immediately with some beef gravy and creamy mashed potatoes or oven-roasted potatoes. A side of Green Beans with Sage Browned Butter is perfect.
Leftovers make a yummy meatloaf sandwich the next day. I make a double batch of meatloaf, cover it with plastic wrap, and freeze the second one for a future meal.
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FAQ:
Q: Can I make this meatloaf with plant-based meat?
A: Yes! This recipe works well with plant-based options like Beyond Meat. It retains moisture and flavor, making it a great vegetarian alternative.
Q: What types of ground meat are best for this recipe?
A: Use a combination of beef, pork, veal, turkey, or sausage. Ensure at least one of the meats has 25-30% fat for optimal flavor and moisture.
Q: Why use onion soup mix in the meatloaf?
A: The onion soup mix is a pre-made seasoning blend that enhances the flavor of the meatloaf without extra effort.
Q: How do bread crumbs add moisture to the meatloaf?
A: Bread crumbs absorb and lock in moisture, lightening the texture of the meatloaf and preventing dryness.
Q: What is the best pan for cooking meatloaf?
A: A meatloaf pan with a drainage system is ideal. It helps remove excess grease while keeping the meatloaf moist and evenly cooked.
Q: How should I store and reheat leftovers?
A: Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat slices in the oven or microwave for best results.
Meatloaf With a Bacon Topping
Equipment
- This page contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click a link, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you
- Meatloaf Pan
Ingredients
MeatLoaf
- 1 lb. ground beef 80% lean
- ½ lb. ground pork
- ½ cup bread crumbs unseasoned
- 1 pkg dry onion soup mix any brand
- 2 tbsp steak sauce
- 3 eggs beaten
- ⅓ cup Ketchup
- 4-5 pieces of Bacon
Instructions
Meatloaf
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix together the ground beef and pork.
- Add the breadcrumbs, onion soup mix, eggs (whisk briefly), steak sauce and catsup.
- Stir to mix well.
- Put in a meatloaf pan and cover the top with bacon, Usually 6-8 pieces are needed.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour.
