Step aside, boring burgers! This Smoky BBQ Bacon Mac and Cheese Burger Slab Meatloaf is about to turn your kitchen into a flavor-packed, food-coma-inducing paradise. This epic creation is the ultimate fusion of all your favorite comfort foods, delivering an explosion of smoky, cheesy, bacony goodness in every bite. Get ready to experience a level of culinary bliss that will have your taste buds doing the happy dance!
Why You’ll Love This Smoky BBQ Bacon Mac and Cheese Burger Slab Meatloaf
This dish is the stuff that food legends are made of! Imagine layers of juicy, smoky ground beef, blanketed in a silky, decadent mac and cheese sauce, and crowned with crispy, candied bacon. It’s a flavor bomb that will rock your world and leave you craving more. The best part? This recipe is easy enough for even the most novice home cooks to master, so you can become a kitchen hero in no time.
Ingredients
Get ready to fill your shopping cart with the ultimate comfort food ingredients. You’ll need ground beef, bacon, cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, elbow macaroni, BBQ sauce, breadcrumbs, eggs, and a few other pantry staples. The end result is a meatloaf that’s bursting with so much cheesy, bacony goodness, it’ll have your friends and family begging for seconds.
- 2 lbs – Ground Beef
- 1 cup – Breadcrumbs
- 2 – Eggs
- 1 cup – Barbecue Sauce
- 8 oz – Elbow Macaroni
- 2 cups – Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1 cup – Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 12 slices – Crispy Bacon
Ingredient Substitutions
- Cheddar Cheese: Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack (for a spicy kick)
- Barbecue Sauce: Sweet and tangy or spicy and smoky (to customize the flavor)
How to Make Smoky BBQ Bacon Mac and Cheese Burger Slab Meatloaf
Get ready to unleash your inner culinary genius! This recipe is a breeze to put together, with just a few simple steps to meatloaf meatloaf perfection.
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by cooking the elbow macaroni until al dente, then drain and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, and a hefty dose of your favorite BBQ sauce. Mix everything together until well incorporated.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a large baking dish and press half of the beef mixture into the bottom, creating a sturdy base. Top with the cooked macaroni, followed by a generous layer of shredded cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. Finish by adding the remaining beef mixture on top, smoothing it out to create an even layer.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Bake the slab meatloaf for 45-55 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. During the last 10 minutes of cooking, top the meatloaf with crispy, candied bacon. Let the meatloaf rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.
- Extra Indulgence: Top each slice with a dollop of cool, creamy sour cream.
- Mix-Ins: Experiment with different add-ins like caramelized onions or sautéed mushrooms.
- Bacon Perfection: Cook the bacon until just shy of fully cooked before topping the meatloaf for the crispiest texture.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: crisp coleslaw, roasted veggies, or a fresh salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheat: To reheat, simply pop a slice in the oven or microwave until hot and bubbly.
Make-Ahead: Assemble the entire meatloaf, cover, and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking.
Nutrition Information
This dish is a flavor-packed powerhouse, but it’s also quite the calorie and fat bomb. One generous slice of the Smoky BBQ Bacon Mac and Cheese Burger Slab Meatloaf contains approximately 550 calories, 30 grams of fat, and 35 grams of protein. Enjoy this indulgent creation in moderation and balance it out with plenty of fresh, healthy side dishes.
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Protein: 35 g
- Carbs: 40 g
- Fat: 30 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make the bacon extra crispy?
For the crispiest, most delicious bacon topping, be sure to cook the bacon until it’s just shy of being fully cooked before adding it to the top of the meatloaf. This will ensure the bacon gets that irresistible, crunchy texture in the final few minutes of baking.
Can I make this recipe in advance?
Absolutely! This Smoky BBQ Bacon Mac and Cheese Burger Slab Meatloaf is the perfect make-ahead dish. Assemble the entire meatloaf, cover, and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking. When you’re ready to serve, simply pop it in the oven and let the magic happen.
How do I prevent the meatloaf from falling apart?
To keep your Smoky BBQ Bacon Mac and Cheese Burger Slab Meatloaf nice and sturdy, be sure to use the right ratio of breadcrumbs and eggs. The breadcrumbs help bind the meat together, while the eggs act as a natural glue to hold everything in place.
Can I use pre-cooked bacon?
While you certainly can use pre-cooked bacon, I highly recommend cooking the bacon fresh for this recipe. The crispy, candied bacon topping is one of the star players, and pre-cooked bacon just won’t deliver the same flavor and texture.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
With a few simple swaps, you can easily make this recipe gluten-free. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers in place of the regular breadcrumbs, and opt for a gluten-free pasta for the mac and cheese layer.
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- Smoky Bourbon Bbq Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders
- Creamy Mac And Cheese With Smoky Bacon Swirls
- Creamy Mac And Cheese With Smoky Bacon Swirls
Smoky BBQ Bacon Mac and Cheese Burger Slab Meatloaf
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Burger Kingdom
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Smoky BBQ Bacon Mac and Cheese Burger Slab Meatloaf is a delicious fusion of flavors, combining the richness of mac and cheese with the smoky goodness of BBQ and crispy bacon, all in a hearty meatloaf form.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 cup cooked macaroni
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
1/2 cup cooked bacon, chopped
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup milk
1 egg
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, cooked macaroni, cheddar cheese, BBQ sauce, bacon, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Mix until well combined and form into a loaf shape.
4. Place the meatloaf in a greased baking dish and brush with additional BBQ sauce on top.
5. Bake for 45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C).
6. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, add smoked paprika to the meat mixture.
Serve with extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: meatloaf, burger, BBQ, bacon, mac and cheese