Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
One of our favorite ground beef and bacon recipes, this Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf makes an easy family dinner!
If you like this recipe you may also enjoy our Creamy Pork Chop Casserole and Cheddar Bay Biscuit Casserole.
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf Recipe
A juicy meatloaf mixture with lean ground beef and cheddar cheese is wrapped with strips of bacon and finished with slices of American cheese for a glorious combination of flavors! Slice and serve with instant mashed potatoes and green beans or make sandwiches. There are so many options!
We began with lots of toppings on our Mini Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaves. After testing we simplified the recipe to create this delicious meatloaf.
I’m always trying to find new recipes that satisfy our picky eater and bring variety into our life. This ground beef and bacon recipe is a winner because it puts a slight spin on flavors he already enjoys!
Bacon and cheese keep the meatloaf moist. Adding American cheese to the top adds more great flavor with a two cheese combination.
Our family’s original meatloaf is the Amish Meatloaf and Slow Cooker Applesauce Meatloaf. These are all amazing recipes!
Why This Recipe Works
- Bacon cheeseburger meatloaf has the same common ingredients that we all enjoy and have on hand.
- Cheeseburgers are popular, so even the picky eaters enjoy this meal.
- This meatloaf takes less than 15 minutes to make and bakes for an hour while you tend to other tasks.
- We like to form a big loaf with our hands on a large baking sheet, but lots of dishes can be used like two square pans or a 9 x 13” baking dish if you prefer a different shape.
- This is a big batch and the leftovers freeze and reheat really well for an easy lunch later in the week.
A couple other cheese loaded meatloaves that we love are our Taco Meatloaf and Pizza Meatloaf.
Ingredients Needed
- Lean Ground Beef
- Cheddar Cheese
- Bacon
- American Cheese
- Salt
- Garlic Salt
- Dry Mustard
- Pepper
- Dry Bread Crumbs
- Eggs
Step By Step Instructions
In a large mixing bowl add ground beef, cheddar cheese, bread crumbs, eggs that are lightly scrambled and then sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic salt and dry mustard evenly over the top.
Through experimenting we find that starting with a sturdy wooden spoon and finishing with clean hands works best to get the meatloaf mixed up.
Cover a large baking sheet with foil to for easier clean up.
Set a wire baking rack on top of the foil and press meatloaf together into a loaf shape.
Press the mixture tightly together and keep the shape as uniform as possible. The thickest part will take the longest to bake through to the center.
Narrow ends will finish baking much faster and begin to dry out, making a uniform shape important to creating a successful meatloaf. You can make the entire meatloaf more narrow to bake faster.
A baking dish creates a uniform shape, but doesn’t allow the meat a place to drain. Since bacon is added we like allowing fat to drip off the meat.
Next lay single or half strips of bacon over top of the loaf. Tuck the edges under the sides of the meatloaf.
Bake for 60 minutes in an oven preheated to 350℉.
Use a digital thermometer to ensure the temperature in the center of the thickest, tallest and widest spot reaches 160℉.
Once meatloaf is done baking remove from the oven and cover with slices of cheese.
Allow the cheese to melt and the beef and bacon mixture to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving!
How To Make Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Meatloaf with Bacon
Shape into a loaf as directed and wrap with raw slices of bacon. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours until the center reaches 160℉.
Using a couple sturdy spatulas transfer onto a baking sheet and set under broil for one to three minutes. Do not leave unattended to prevent burning.
Remove from heat and lay additional slices of cheese over top.
Allow meatloaf to rest for 5 minutes while the cheese melts, then slice and serve. Enjoy warm!
Tips for Making Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
- Fully defrosted ground beef will be easiest to mix
- Ensure that bacon cheeseburger meatloaf ingredients are mixed well so that each bite has a consistent flavor
- Ketchup or bbq sauce can be added to make a bbq bacon cheeseburger meatloaf, but I like the amount of moisture in this mixture and I prefer not to add additional flavors
- Broiling is optional, but remember browning the bacon isn’t just a color, it adds great flavor to a crock pot meatloaf
- Always use a meat thermometer to ensure that ground beef has been cooked to internal temperature of 160ºF
- All cooking appliances and conditions are different, so you should test these times and guidelines first in your own appliance to determine what adjustments may be needed!
More Delicious Ground Beef and Bacon Recipes:
- Zucchini Hamburger Casserole has stove top stuffing mix to make a great one dish meal.
- Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders make fun snacks or a stress free family dinner.
- Ground Beef and Bacon Casserole with cream cheese and veggies makes a flavorful keto meal.
- Bacon Cheeseburger Pie is another fun twist on a classic meal.
More Easy Meals We Love Making In Our Crock Pot:
- Crock Pot Stew Meat Recipes
- No Peek Country Style Ribs in the Crock Pot
- Creamy Chicken Pasta Casserole
- Farmhouse Crock Pot Spaghetti
- Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Chops
- Crock Pot Swiss Chicken & Stuffing Casserole
We hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we do!
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup dry bread crumbs
- 2 eggs slightly beaten
- 6 – 8 slices bacon
- 6 slices American cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉.
- Combine all ingredients except cheese slices and bacon and mix thoroughly.2 pounds lean ground beef, 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt, 1 teaspoon dry mustard, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1 cup dry bread crumbs, 2 eggs slightly beaten
- Shape into loaf and place on a wire rack over a foil lined baking sheet.
- Cover with slices of bacon, wrapping the ends under the loaf.6 – 8 slices bacon
- Baked for 60 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160℉ using a digital thermometer.
- Remove from oven and add slices of cheese immediately. Allow to melt.6 slices American cheese
Notes
- Can be made on low in a slow cooker in 6 to 8 hours.
- Use spatulas to move from slow cooker onto a baking sheet and place under broiler for 1 to 3 minutes to crisp up bacon, remove from oven, add cheese and serve.
- All cooking appliances and conditions are different, so you should test these times and guidelines first in your own appliance to determine what adjustments may be needed!
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Rate This Recipe Pin This RecipeRecipe originally shared on February 23, 2019 with updates made on March 11, 2024.
I haven’t tried this yet, but I love meatloaf & bet this is delicious. I must try it soon! Thank You!!!
It has been too long since we had meatloaf. We’ll have to give this a try!