This bacon cheeseburger meatloaf turns all your favorite burger flavors into a cozy, comforting dinner everyone will enjoy. With juicy ground beef, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese pockets, and that unmistakable tang from dill pickle relish this dish brings bold and familiar tastes to the table without any fuss. Topped with a sweet and tangy ketchup glaze that caramelizes beautifully, this meatloaf is both satisfying and packed with flavor.
I first tried this recipe when my kids were tired of usual dinners. The bacon and cheese were a total hit and now it is requested so often I sometimes double the batch and stash leftovers for lunches.
Ingredients
- Lean ground beef: gives the meatloaf a juicy and tender base and using lean ensures it’s not too greasy
- Dill pickle relish: adds the perfect touch of tang and brightness that mimics the classic burger flavor, drain excess liquid to avoid sogginess
- Crispy fried onions: bring texture and rich onion flavor without the sharp bite raw onions have
- Panko bread crumbs: keep the texture light and prevent the meatloaf from becoming dense
- Sharp cheddar cheese cut into cubes: melts beautifully inside the loaf creating delicious pockets of gooey cheese
- Bacon: some chopped inside for smoky goodness and whole strips on top for crispy, savory crust
- Worcestershire sauce: deepens the meaty flavor and adds umami
- Smoke flavor: enhances that backyard grilled burger taste even though it’s baked
- Ketchup glaze: caramelizes on top creating a sweet and tangy finish that balances the savory meat
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients:
- Drain the pickle relish well so your meatloaf doesn’t get watery. Cube your cheddar cheese rather than shredding it so the melty pockets stay intact. Cut six strips of bacon into pieces for the mixture and keep the rest whole for topping.
- Mix the base gently:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, drained relish, crispy onions, eggs, panko bread crumbs, Worcestershire sauce, and smoke flavor. Use your hands lightly and mix just until combined to avoid making the meatloaf tough.
- Add the special additions:
- Fold the chopped bacon pieces gently into the mixture so you get smoky bursts throughout. Carefully fold in the cheese cubes distributing them evenly but don’t overmix.
- Form and top:
- Shape the meat mixture into a loaf shape and place it in a foil-lined 9x13 inch baking pan for easy cleanup. Lay the whole bacon strips across the top of the loaf slightly overlapping so you get full coverage after they shrink in cooking.
- Bake to perfection:
- Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 50 to 60 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature reaches 160°F to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat. While baking mix your glaze ingredients.
- Finish with glaze:
- When the meatloaf reaches the correct temperature, brush the top with the ketchup glaze and return to the oven for 5 to 10 minutes. This caramelizes the glaze and crisps the bacon to perfection.