bacon wrapped bbq meatloaf stuffed with cheese!
This meatloaf is so full of flavor! I did look through many recipes to finally come up with this one by adding ingredients that I liked, and taking away ones I did not. AND this is the perfect size for two people... plus leftovers for one more meal. I have not tried this with turkey bacon as I feel it may burn with this recipe. With this recipe, I did use beef, normally I use a blend or just turkey or ground chicken, but this is really a man's meal and thought it was appropriate to use just beef.
Blue Ribbon Recipe
Well, this certainly isn't a boring meatloaf. There are so many layers of goodness and it's full of flavor. Really, anything wrapped in bacon is just on a whole other level. The cheese in the middle is an ooey, gooey surprise. Double the recipe if you're serving a family. After one bite I am not sure your family will ever want another meatloaf recipe again.
Ingredients
- MEATLOAF
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 - egg
- 2 tablespoons bbq sauce (your favorite, I used Jack Daniels original)
- 1/4 cup dry seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt, optional
- 2 cloves garlic zested or minced
- 1/4 teaspoon rounded, dry mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon rounded, oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon rounded, basil
- 1/4 teaspoon rounded, black pepper fresh ground
- 2-3 - green onions, white and green part, chopped finely
- 1/2 small green bell pepper, small dice
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (reserve 1/4c for on top)
- TOPPING
- 3 slices bacon cut in half (6 smaller slices total)
- 2 tablespoons bbq sauce
- 1 tablespoon rounded, light brown sugar not packed
How To Make bacon wrapped bbq meatloaf stuffed with cheese!
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Step 1Preheat oven to 375° F. Get out a 9x13 baking pan. Do not use a bread pan. You can line this with foil to help with clean up, or just spray with a non-stick spray. Set aside. -
Step 2Keep hamburger in the refrigerator until the last minute. In a bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, minced garlic, dry mustard, oregano, basil, pepper, onion and bell pepper. Stir it around a bit to get everything mixed. Add the 2 tsp bbq sauce and egg; mix. Grab the rest of the ingredients... this will go quickly so the "loaf" holds its shape.
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Step 3Take the hamburger and add this to the bowl, QUICKLY mix together with clean hands... forget the spoon. Place 1/2 of the hamburger mix in the center of your pan. Make a "well" with your hand so it looks like a hollowed out 1/2 potato. Add 3/4 cup of the cheese and gently press it in.
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Step 4Add the second half of the hamburger on top and press it together and shape like a log.
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Step 5Lay the bacon strips on top of the loaf.
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Step 6Smear the last 2 tbsp of bbq sauce on top of the bacon. Sprinkle brown sugar on top of the sauce and put this into the oven for 60 minutes. (temp should be 160°F internally)
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Step 7After 60 minutes, you can sprinkle the remaining 1/4 c cheese on top and return it to the oven for 5 minutes, just to let the cheese melt. If you don't want to to this, you can just stuff all the cheese inside and leave the outside to the bacon and bbq sauce.
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!
