Cooking Tips
Ultimate Bacon-Wrapped Cheesy Meatloaf Skillet
A homemade meatloaf wrapped in crispy bacon, brushed with tangy glaze and topped with melted cheese, served from the skillet.
By Steak House Diaries Editorial Desk | Published | Updated | 2 min read
A homemade meatloaf is wrapped in crispy bacon, brushed with a tangy glaze and loaded with melted cheese, then served straight from the cast-iron skillet. It is hearty, old-fashioned comfort food with a smoky edge that makes it feel special.
Ingredients
Meatloaf:
800 g ground beef (or a beef-pork blend)
1 cup breadcrumbs (or panko)
2 large eggs
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
Bacon and tangy glaze:
8 to 10 slices thick-cut bacon
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Cheesy topping:
2 cups mozzarella or cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnishing)
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder and smoked paprika until just combined.
2. Shape the mixture into a loaf in a cast-iron skillet.
3. Wrap the bacon slices around the loaf, tucking the ends underneath.
4. Mix the ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar and mustard into a glaze and brush it over the bacon.
5. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the bacon is crisp and a thermometer in the centre of the loaf reads 160°F (71°C).
6. Top with the shredded cheese and return to the oven for 5 to 10 minutes, until melted and bubbly.
7. Rest for 10 minutes, garnish with parsley, slice and serve from the skillet.
Cooking tips
Do not overmix the meat or the loaf turns dense; mix just until the ingredients come together.
Resting before slicing keeps the loaf juicy and helps it hold its shape.
A beef-pork blend gives a slightly richer, more tender result than beef alone.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use thin bacon instead of thick-cut?
Yes, but thick-cut bacon crisps better over a long bake and wraps the loaf more securely.
What goes with this meatloaf?
Mashed potatoes and green beans are the classic pairing, and they balance the richness well.