This Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf comes together quickly and easily with bacon and a four-ingredient glaze, keeping it moist, flavorful, and tender. This is one of our favorite meatloaf recipes, and it is always a huge hit with family and friends.
This is a delicious meatloaf recipe for all bacon lovers. I like to serve it with instant pot mashed potatoes or twice-baked potato casserole and sautéed asparagus or Southern green beans.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Ground beef: Use ground beef with a little fat in it. The fat gives it flavor. 80/20 is a good choice for meatloaf. This recipe also works well with ground turkey, ground pork, ground chicken, or a mixture of any of these.
- Herbs: Fresh parsley, thyme, or rosemary.
- Breadcrumbs: You can use Italian, Panko breadcrumbs, or homemade breadcrumbs.
- Barbecue sauce: Use a few tablespoons of your favorite barbecue sauce or substitute ketchup.
- Bacon: Do not use thick-cut bacon with this recipe. Regular cut is best, so the bacon crisps up a bit.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf
This is the summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, onions, garlic, eggs, parsley, thyme, marjoram, salt, black pepper, breadcrumbs, milk, and barbecue sauce. Mix it gently with your clean hands. Once mixed, transfer the meat mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish or a baking sheet covered with parchment paper or aluminum foil and shape it into a meatloaf.
In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Brush the top of the meatloaf with a little bit of sauce. Now wrap the meatloaf in bacon, overlapping the pieces of bacon a little bit, and tucking the bacon up under the meatloaf. Brush the top of the bacon with a little bit more sauce. Bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes. Baste the meatloaf again with sauce. Then reduce the heat to 350 degrees and cook for about 45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Baste one more time halfway through the baking period. Let it rest covered loosely with aluminum foil for 15 minutes before you slice it.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- Mix the meatloaf gently with your hands; when you shape it, be gentle.
- Meatloaf is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees on a meat thermometer. Instant read thermometers are relatively inexpensive, and they are a priceless tool in the kitchen.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power, in the oven, or in a skillet on the stovetop.
- Freeze leftovers double-wrapped in quart or gallon freezer bags for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight.
Serving Suggestions for Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf
- Potatoes: mashed potatoes, twice-baked potatoes, au gratin potatoes, or air-fryer potato wedges.
- Vegetables: roasted vegetables, honey-roasted carrots, or creamed spinach.
- Pasta: Parmesan pasta, garlic pasta, meatless spaghetti, or sun-dried tomato pasta.
More ground beef recipes
Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried marjoram or dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ¾ cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- 3 tablespoons barbecue sauce or ketchup
- 12 bacon slices
Glaze
- ¾ cup ketchup
- ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, onions, garlic, eggs, parsley, thyme, marjoram, salt, black pepper, breadcrumbs, milk, and barbecue sauce. Mix it gently with your clean hands. Once mixed, transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch casserole dish and shape it into a meatloaf.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Brush the top of the meatloaf with 1/4 of the sauce.
- Wrap the meatloaf in bacon, overlapping the pieces of bacon a little bit, and tucking the bacon up under the meatloaf. Brush the top of the bacon with 1/4 of the sauce.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Baste the meatloaf again with 1/4 of the sauce. Then reduce the heat to 350 degrees and cook for 40-45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Baste one more time halfway through the baking period.
- Let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Mix the meatloaf gently with your hands; when you shape it, be gentle.
- Meatloaf is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees on a meat thermometer. Instant read thermometers are relatively inexpensive, and they are a priceless tool in the kitchen.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power, in the oven, or in a skillet on the stovetop.
- Freeze leftovers double-wrapped in quart or gallon freezer bags for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight.
Nutrition
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Mahy
My favorite meatloaf! So delicious and so easy to make. The best ever for sure.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Mahy!
Gus
This was hands-down the best meatloaf I’ve ever made. The bacon added so much flavor and kept everything juicy and tender.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Gus! We love it too!
Janie
This meatloaf recipe is worth keeping. Bacon wrapped around the meatloaf was super tasty! I made a sandwich and it was 10/10!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Janie!
Paula
Wow! That’s all I can say. This bacon wrapped meatloaf was a huge hit with my kids. My husband and I loved it too, but they can’t stop raving!!!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Paula! I am so glad that they liked it.
Maria
So good. You really can’t ever go wrong by adding bacon. We loved this one!
Jasmine Martin
This is a freaking genius idea! Bacon wrapped meatloaf sounds amazing! I am going to have to make this soon because I know this is tasty!
Lavanda Michelle
I love making bacon-wrapped meatloaf. The bacon adds moisture and flavor to the meatloaf, making it a tasty and comforting meal that many people enjoy. looking forward to trying this recipe.
Beti
Delicious and easy to make. It gives a whole new meaning to tender, flavorful meatloaf.
katerina @ diethood.com
Wow! This was incredibly delicious!! The whole family really enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing!
Annette
Oh wow, this looks so good. I’m not a fan of meatloaf, but I could be turned with this recipe. Love how the bacon gives it a rich colour.
Catalina
This meatloaf reminds me of my mother home cooked meals! This is the best!
Whitney Stewart
I’ve love meatloaf for a really long time. My mom makes one that’s stuffed with cheese. The best I’ve ever had; but this one still looks good and I’m fully prepared to make it before too long! Thanks do much for sharing!
Sandra
This is so good!! Perfectly comforting meal!
Beth Pierce
Yes! Indeed!
Karen
omg this meatloaf looks absolutely delicious!!! I can’t wait to make your recipe, it is very easy to follow.
Amanda
I will definitely be making this very soon. I can’t wait to try this!
Patricia Conte
What an indulgent dish! I love the idea of serving this with spaghetti (I’ve never heard of that before)! Delicious!