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BBQ Beef Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf

A flavor explosion of BBQ, bacon, and cheeseburger goodness all rolled into one easy and delicious meatloaf. Perfect for weeknights or impressing guests!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatloaf
  • 1 lb ground beef The classic base for any great meatloaf.
  • 1/2 lb beef bacon chopped: Because bacon makes everything better, especially in meatloaf!
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs To help bind everything together and give it a lovely texture.
  • 1/4 cup onion finely chopped: For that essential savory depth.
  • 1/4 cup bell pepper red or green, finely chopped: Adds a touch of sweetness and color.
  • 2 cloves garlic minced: Because you can never have too much garlic!
  • 1 large egg The binder that holds our deliciousness together.
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese Hello, cheeseburger vibes!
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce plus extra for topping: Our star flavor, bringing that smoky, sweet goodness.
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce A secret ingredient for that umami punch.
  • 1 tsp dried oregano A little herbal magic.
  • 1/2 tsp salt To enhance all those wonderful flavors.
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper Just a pinch to round it out.
For the Topping
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese More cheese, please!
  • 2–3 tbsp BBQ sauce For that extra saucy finish.

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Loaf pan
  • Paper towels
  • Meat Thermometer

Method
 

  1. First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper, or if you prefer, lightly grease a loaf pan.
  2. In a large skillet, get your chopped beef bacon cooking over medium heat. We want it nice and crispy! Once it's ready, scoop it out and let it drain on some paper towels.
  3. Now, you'll want to discard most of the bacon fat, leaving just about 1–2 tablespoons in the skillet. This is where the magic starts!
  4. Toss your chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic into the skillet with that flavorful bacon fat. Sauté them until they're nice and soft, which should take about 3–4 minutes. Once they're tender, take the skillet off the heat and let the veggie mixture cool down a bit.
  5. In a big bowl, combine the ground beef, your crispy cooked bacon, the sautéed veggies, breadcrumbs, egg, shredded cheddar cheese, that 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper. Get in there with your hands (clean hands, of course!) and mix everything until it's just combined. Don't overmix, or your meatloaf might be a bit tough.
  6. Now, transfer that glorious mixture to your prepared baking sheet or loaf pan. If you're using a baking sheet, shape it into a nice loaf form.
  7. Pop it into the preheated oven and bake for about 35–40 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) and it's cooked all the way through.
  8. Carefully take the meatloaf out of the oven. Now for the best part – brush the top generously with that extra BBQ sauce and sprinkle it all over with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese. Oh, it's going to smell amazing!
  9. Return the meatloaf to the oven for another 5–7 minutes. We just want that cheese to get all melty and bubbly.
  10. Once it's out, let your beautiful meatloaf rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This helps it hold its shape beautifully. Serve it up with extra BBQ sauce on the side if you like – I know I always do!

Notes

This meatloaf is just as good, if not better, the next day. Store leftovers tightly wrapped or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. It can also be frozen for up to 2–3 months.