Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf is the best comfort food recipe you can make for dinner.
Ground beef and bacon served as mini meatloaf for individual portion sizes! Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf should appeal to all bacon lovers, and the mini meatloaf portion size should appeal to everyone.
You know I'm a bacon lover, so you can only imagine how much I love this Bacon Wrapped Mini Meatloaf.
If you're familiar with my blog, you'll know that I cook with bacon all the time. There's nothing quite like it on earth. I love it so much I think it should be its own food group. For that matter, parmesan should have its own as well.
I digress. Let's get back to bacon.
Bacon can and should be enjoyed at any meal. Why should breakfast have dibs on bacon when there are so many wonderful things you can do with it? Take this meatloaf wrapped in bacon. I've made plenty of meatloaf in my day - it is one of the best comfort foods, after all. But when I make Bacon Wrapped Mini Meatloaf, I wrapped each little mini meatloaf in thick wonderful bacon and topped it with crispy onion pieces - OH MY. I can't even begin to explain how good it was.
Why this recipe is different:
I have to admit, I made the actual meatloaf portion different than I normally do. When I had made meatloaf in the past, I had mixed the ketchup in along with water and dried onion soup mix (with the egg and bread crumbs, of course).
I went in a pretty different direction this time by including onions and garlic that I had sauteed along with milk instead of water. At first, I was hesitant, but then I reminded myself how delicious my country sausage gravy is and I accepted that I was pouring milk on raw meat.
Secondly, I put the ketchup mixture on the top of the bacon wrapped meatloaf instead of mixing it in. I know that's how a lot of people make it, but I had never done it that way. The crispy fried onions on the top added the perfect amount of crunch and flavor. But most of all, creating individual servings of mini meatloaf and then serving that meatloaf wrapped in bacon - ugh, it was just so darn delicious.
Reasons to make meatloaf with bacon:
Everyone knows a bacon wrapped filet mignon is pure decadent heaven, so it was a given that this meatloaf wrapped in bacon would be outstanding. Since we buy our beef direct from a local grass fed farm, I've become accustomed to cooking with grass fed beef. If you haven't made the switch over to pasture raised beef, you'll never go back. The main difference you'll notice, beyond the incredible taste and health benefits, is that it's usually leaner. This is why wrapping bacon around your mini meatloaf is an even better idea! Bottom line - meatloaf wrapped in bacon is not only super moist, but the flavor can't be beat.
How to make this recipe:
- This mini meatloaf recipe consists of three parts: the meatloaf, the topping, and the bacon.
- Most meatloaf recipes call for an egg to bind everything together and some kind of starch like breadcrumbs. In lieu of the breadcrumbs, you can try using crushed crackers or even cornmeal when you make this delicious bacon meatloaf. Take care when mixing all of the mini meatloaf ingredients so that you don't overwork the meat. Use your hands to form the mini meatloaf patties.
- The sauce on top is very similar to a homemade barbecue sauce. It mixes up quickly and is the perfect addition on top of this bacon meatloaf.
- I have found the easiest way to wrap the bacon around the mini meatloaf is to use longer pieces of bacon if you can find them and then squeeze the mini meatloaf patty until the bacon ends meet. No need to secure them in place but you can use a toothpick if you wish. I have also made this meatloaf with bacon in a jumbo sized muffin pan instead of a baking sheet. The muffin pan helps the bacon wrapped meatloaf hold it's shape, but it doesn't allow for the grease to run off.
- I was a little unsure how long to cook the Bacon Wrapped Mini Meatloaf and was tempted to increase the temperature, but I kept it at a solid 350 degrees for a full hour and fifteen minutes. I wasn't worried one bit that it would dry out because the bacon and the sauce were keeping everything perfectly moist and flavorful. I just waited until the bacon reached perfection and then I served them up with some fresh green beans and mashed potatoes. YUM!
This post was originally published in July 2015, but I've recently updated it to include the recipe video. Enjoy!
Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf
CLICK TO PLAY RECIPE VIDEO
Ingredients
- 1 medium sized onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 6 bacon slices
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
- ½ cup fried onion pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven or grill to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil for easy clean up.
- Melt butter in saute pan over medium heat. Cook onions until fragrant and slightly brown while stirring occasionally, about 3-5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add garlic, cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- In large bowl, combine ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and cooked onions and garlic. Use hands to mix well, but try not to over work the meat. Divide into six equal sized portions and shape into disks.
- Wrap bacon slices around edge of disks. Diameter of meatloaf should be so that the bacon ends just meet or slightly overlap.
- In a separate bowl, combine ketchup with mustard and brown sugar. Divide equally and spread over the tops of the mini meatloaves. Sprinkle tops with crispy fried onions.
- Bake in preheated oven or grill until bacon is just golden, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Mel
Iam going to try this recipe tmrrw night. Hopefully my boys and enjoy it.
Kandice
Best meatloaf ever!
Kita
I have made these for years, call them "Poor Man's Filet Mignon". Always a hit.
Lyn
it smelled so good but the meat is not solid..its still soft like when it was raw. i followed everything in the recipe...
Krissy
Mine was definitely soft and tender but in a good way. You sure you cooked it long enough? Sorry it didn't turn out. Krissy
Morgan Bristow
I loved this recipe, but mine stuck to the foil and burnt the bottom SO bad, even after I sprayed the foil. Next time I'm going to try wrapping the whole thing in bacon, and flipping them half way through. Or reduce the cooking time. But I will definitely trying this recipe again!
Krissy
Wrapping the whole thing in bacon will always win! Maybe you had it too low in the oven? Glad you're gonna try it again! Krissy
jane Jefferson
I will try cooking in mu Nu-Wave oven I am really on a fat free Diet I think this will fine for me and company
Natalie
When you say Fried Onion Pieces, do you mean like the ones you use on green bean casserole that come in a container? Or do you mean to fry onions?
Krissy
Like what you put on green bean casserole. -Krissy
Nelita Tanner
You said you fried the onions. Were those the ones you used on top? I am confused since you told someone to used the ones like are used on green bean casseroles. Would you explain? Thanks.
Krissy
Yes - those fried onions that are on the top. You can buy them already fried. They add some great flavor and texture!
BARBARA
I WAS AS ABOUT TO ASK THIS SAME QUESTION!!!!! THANKS...so glad I don't have to fry onions.......just go to my pantry!!!!!
Diane
Delicious! Had to add a bit of oatmeal to bulk up the meat mixture as it was too wet. Also threw in some chopped left over mushrooms. The smell of meatloaf in the oven is always incredible, but with applewood bacon added- irresistible! Will definitely make this again.
Jessica Mendoza
This was amazing, absolutely my new go to meatloaf recipe! The fried onions really set it off!
I made mine in a standard cupcake tin. I lined each tin with a ring of bacon, then filled with meat mix. Topped with the ketchup sauce. I baked for an hour, added the fried onions and baked for the remaining 15 minutes. I was able to get a full batch of 12, I tupperwared the remaining meat mix and made 10 more little meat loafs 2 days later!
Kristen
Did the bacon crisp up well in the muffin tin? This is how I'm considering making it as well but was concerned. Thanks!
Krissy
I think if you use a metal tin, it might... curious if it worked too.
Chelsey
I was looking for a new recipe to try with my ground beef. Came across this on Pinterest, and I am so glad I did! This recipe turned out amazing! The only thing I didn't have is the spicy mustard, so I substituted with regular mustard, and a little extra brown sugar as we like the sauce a bit sweater. I will deffenetly be making this again, as it's super simple and even the picky eaters in my family loved them!
Candis
We made this tonight on the grill minus the onion topping. I also added jalapeño to the mix with the meat. We put Bbq sauce on top and grilled it for 45 minutes and it was beyond amazing!
Krissy
Sounds amazing, Candis! I love me some jalapenos! -Krissy
Kelly
My entire family (including one very picky 12 year old) LOVED these! I agree with another post- they do stick to the foil. I've made these twice and both times the bottom portion came off and was completely stuck to foil. If anyone figures out another way please post it. Other than that, great recipe!
Krissy
Hi Kelly, The only thing I can think of would be to spray the foil? Next time I make them, I think I'll try them out on my baking stone. That way, if they stick, I can just jam my metal spatula underneath to release. Thanks! Krissy
Nelita Tanner
Did you try this receipe on your stoneware yet and if so how did it work? Thanks.
Krissy
I actually did cook it on my stone, just with foil. I love cooking on stone!
Pam
Reynolds makes a non stick foil. It's a little more expensive than regular foil but it works! And it tells you which side is the non stick side!
Melanie
Hi! I have ground venison. Is there anything I should do differently or add anything before baking? Venison is leaner than beef and I don't want it to dry out during cooking. Really want to try this! Any suggestions?
Krissy
Hi Melanie. Wow, that sounds amazing! I've never cooked with venison so I would only be guessing, but I will tell you that these little meatloaves are incredibly moist and I typically use grass fed/finished ground beef which is leaner than traditional ground beef. Sooo... I actually think it might work without any additions/substitutions. Please let me know! Krissy
RK Nelson
This is my favorite venison recipe! The milk helps to tame the gamey flavor and the bacon keeps the meat moist. Keep the recipe exactly the way it is! (although I double it...my family can't get enough!)
Stephanie
I made this recipe before and it was delicious! I am going to make it again but this time for more people. Would you suggest doubling the recipe or making 2 separate batches?
Krissy
Hi Stephanie! I think you could definitely double but might have to bake in separate batches depending on the size of your oven? -Krissy
Katie
Hi,
We loved everything about this recipe!!! And I love that is was also portion control. All the flavors went so good together and the topping was the best. I'm always looking for good recipes for two. This was perfect! Thanks, can't wait to try your other recipes.
Krissy
Awww, thanks Katie!!! Much appreciated, Krissy
Ashley
Made this the other day and I would wait to put on the onion crispys till closer to the end and I used tin foil on the bottom of the pan and it was very hard to pick up without it sticking and burnt on the bottom. I'll have to find another way like the rubber things because over all it was a good easy recipe.
CLBD
I always put foil down too and then spray the top with Pam. Also since you brought this up as a possible problem I might put a rack on top of the foil/Pam lined baking sheet. I spray the rack and then place the meat on top.
Nicole
Instead of the sprinkled onion I just kept it traditional and made a sauce with ketchup, mild spices mustard and baked them and they look great!
Terri
Made this last night and it was a BIG hit! Ended up making mine a bit smaller so we could finish each without leftovers. All of us cleaned our plates. Topping really made this meatloaf, thanks for the recipe!
Krissy
Thanks for the comment, Terri! Glad you enjoyed!!! -Krissy
Seneca
Can the meatloaf be made ahead of time?
Krissy
I didn't, but I don't see why you couldn't! Krissy
sarah
You said you need 1 egg but in the directions it does not include the egg.
Krissy
Doh! Sorry about that. I updated the recipe. Thanks!!! Krissy
Laura Wright
Oh my God this recipe is amazing! It was so good I had to blog about it and link it to your recipe so all of my friends could try it! You rock!
Melinda Clemons
There was 1 large egg listed in the ingredients but not used anywhere in the recipe. I assumed it was to be added in the ground beef mixture.
I am preparing this tonight for the first time..will review later.
Laurel
I just made this recipe tonight and it turned out amazing! Whole family loved it!
Heather
I have them in the oven now, but I just peeked on them & the bacon has come loose 🙁 I even overlapped it. Next time I'll either make smaller ones or use toothpicks to secure.
Krissy
Yeah, that bacon can sometimes have a mind of its own. I think toothpics are a great idea! Hope it tasted delish!! -Krissy
Ashleigh
Going to make this later in the week - looks delicious! The crispy onion strings didn't get too dark being in the oven that long? Wondering if I should put them on top closer to the end...? Thanks for the recipe! xo Ash
Krissy
Hi Ashleigh, putting on closer to the end is a great idea! -Krissy
Whitney
Just made this, in the oven now. Smells great. I cant wait to try them.
Cheryl Barker
I am thinking of trying this using a mini muffin pan. Bacon wrapped around the
Myranda Perkins
Did you ever try this and did it work?
Krissy
Try what?
Jasmine
The directions don't say to add the egg to the meat mixture so when I made mine I accidentally left it out. Luckily it turned out fantastic anyway! Great recipe we loved it!
Krissy
Hi Jasmine - Glad to know it still worked! The egg is just used as a binder to hold everything together. Hopefully the bacon blanket helped as well. 🙂 -Krissy
jamie
Can you freeze these?
Krissy
Are you asking if you can freeze pre or post cooking?
Kathleen Mitchell
Yes, they freezemwell.
Thalia @ butter and brioche
I've never been a fan of traditional meatloaf but these mini bacon wrapped versions are definitely something I would LOVE to eat. They look so delicious.
Coley @ Coley Cooks
This looks sooo yummy! Good call with the bacon. I'm definitely going to give this recipe and try.