Calling all bold and daring foodies! Are you ready to take your taste buds on an epic flavor adventure? Prepare to be wowed by this Smoky Maple Bacon Meatloaf – a revolutionary dish that’s about to blow your mind and leave your kitchen in a delicious state of chaos. Get ready to experience the ultimate meatloaf makeover, where we smash together savory, smoky, and sweet notes to create a sensational culinary masterpiece.
Why You’ll Love This Smoky Maple Bacon Meatloaf
This isn’t your grandma’s classic meatloaf – it’s a culinary revolution! The combination of juicy ground beef, smoky bacon, and a tantalizing maple glaze creates a flavor explosion that will have your taste buds doing the happy dance. Plus, the addition of fire-roasted veggies and a hint of spice takes this dish to the next level of deliciousness. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this insane, crowd-pleasing meatloaf that’s sure to become a new favorite.
Ingredients
Get ready to gather an epic lineup of ingredients that will transform your kitchen into a flavor paradise! You’ll need ground beef, thick-cut bacon, onions, garlic, breadcrumbs, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and a few other pantry staples. The real star of the show is the addictive maple glaze that coats the meatloaf, adding a sweet and sticky element that will have you licking your plate clean.
- 2 lbs – ground beef
- 1 lb – thick-cut bacon, divided
- 1 large – onion, diced
- 4 cloves – garlic, minced
- 1 cup – breadcrumbs
- 2 – eggs
- 2 tbsp – Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp – Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp – smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ground Beef: Ground turkey or pork (for a different flavor profile)
- Maple Syrup: Honey or brown sugar (dietary swap)
How to Make Smoky Maple Bacon Meatloaf
Let’s dive in and create this flavor-packed masterpiece!
Step 1: Prep Work
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Then, let’s get our ingredients ready. Dice the onions and mince the garlic, then cook them in a skillet over medium heat until they’re nice and fragrant, about 5 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked onions and garlic, breadcrumbs, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon, smoked paprika, and a few grinds of salt and pepper. Mix it all together until it’s evenly combined, being careful not to overmix.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Now, it’s time to take this meatloaf to the next level of deliciousness. Grab a rimmed baking sheet and form the beef mixture into a loaf shape. Top it with the smoky bacon strips, pressing them down gently to adhere. In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, ketchup, and a touch of Dijon to create the irresistible glaze. Brush this magical mixture all over the top of the meatloaf.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Pop that beauty in the oven and let the magic happen! Bake the meatloaf for 60-75 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). As it bakes, the bacon will render down, bathing the beef in a smoky, savory goodness. The maple glaze will caramelize and create a sensational sticky-sweet crust. Once it’s cooked through, let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing into it and revealing the mouthwatering, flavor-packed interior.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Cheesy Goodness: Add shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese to the meatloaf mixture for an extra burst of flavor.
- Spicy Twist: Add a pinch of cayenne or a few dashes of hot sauce to the glaze for a fiery kick.
- Bacon Weave: Try wrapping the meatloaf in a weave pattern with the bacon for a stunning presentation.
- Maple Bacon Swap: Use thick-cut maple-cured bacon for an extra layer of sweetness.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad.
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: When ready to enjoy, simply reheat the meatloaf in the oven until hot and bubbly.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the meatloaf mixture up to a day in advance, cover it, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake it. Just don’t add the bacon or glaze until you’re ready to put it in the oven.
Nutrition Information
This Smoky Maple Bacon Meatloaf is a flavor-packed powerhouse, but it also packs a nutritional punch. Each serving contains a generous portion of protein from the ground beef, as well as important vitamins and minerals from the added veggies. While it’s a bit higher in fat and calories due to the bacon and glaze, it’s a small price to pay for the epic flavor explosion you’ll experience with every bite.
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Protein: 32 g
- Carbs: 20 g
- Fat: 28 g
- Sodium: 830 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this meatloaf ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the meatloaf mixture up to a day in advance, cover it, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake it. Just don’t add the bacon or glaze until you’re ready to put it in the oven.
Can I use a different type of meat?
Definitely! While ground beef is the classic choice, you can easily swap in ground turkey, pork, or a blend of meats. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
How do I know when the meatloaf is done?
The meatloaf is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) on a meat thermometer. You can also do the classic fork test – if the center is no longer pink and the juices run clear, it’s good to go.
Can I freeze leftover meatloaf?
Absolutely! Cooked meatloaf freezes beautifully. Just let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap and pop it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat it in the oven until hot and bubbly.
What can I serve with the meatloaf?
The possibilities are endless! This Smoky Maple Bacon Meatloaf pairs perfectly with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, a fresh salad, or even a side of mac and cheese for the ultimate comfort food feast.
Try These Next
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- Smoky Bbq Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf With Maple Glaze
- Smoky Maple Bacon Glazed Chicken Thighs
Smoky Maple Bacon Meatloaf
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Smoky Maple Bacon Meatloaf is a delicious twist on a classic dish, combining the rich flavors of bacon and maple syrup for a savory and sweet experience.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup milk
2 large eggs
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
6 slices cooked bacon, chopped
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, onion, milk, eggs, maple syrup, ketchup, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Mix until well combined, then shape into a loaf and place in a baking dish.
4. Top the meatloaf with chopped bacon and drizzle with additional maple syrup.
5. Bake for 1 hour 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, you can add diced bell peppers or mushrooms to the mixture.
Serve with mashed potatoes or a side salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: meatloaf, bacon, maple, dinner