Bacon-Wrapped Meat Loaf

Total Time Prep: 40 min. Bake: 50 min. + standing
Yield 8 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
This easy bacon-wrapped meat loaf is tender, juicy and topped with a sauce that's sweet and smoky.

Ingredients

  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 teaspoons canola oil
  • 1/2 cup 2% milk
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
  • 2/3 cup crushed saltines
  • 1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/2 pound ground veal
  • 9 slices bacon strips
  • SAUCE:
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup cider vinegar

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a small skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until tender, 4-5 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine milk, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon, pepper sauce, saltine, parsley and seasonings; stir in onion mixture. Crumble meats over mixture and mix well. With wet hands, shape into a loaf and place in a greased foil-lined 13-in.x 9-in. baking dish.
  3. In a small saucepan, combine sauce ingredients; cook and stir until the sugar is dissolved and sauce has thickened. Spoon 1/2 cup sauce over loaf; place bacon over top.
  4. Bake, uncovered, until a thermometer reads 160°, 50-55 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing. Warm remaining 1/2 cup sauce; serve with meat loaf.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 342 calories, 18g fat (6g saturated fat), 133mg cholesterol, 849mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 25g protein.

Our family and friends love this no-fail recipe. It's a staple in our home. A topping of bacon adds wonderful flavor to this moist meat loaf. The brown sugar ketchup glaze takes it to a whole new level. Yum! —Zac Freeman and Paige Ponder, Chicago, Illinois
Recipe Creator

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