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Best Brown Sugar Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf (Easy & Perfect Dinner)

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This brown sugar bacon-wrapped meatloaf features a caramelized, crispy bacon crust and a tender, juicy interior. The sweet and savory glaze locks in moisture, making it a crowd-pleasing comfort food perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 12 to 16 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar (for sprinkling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Position the rack in the center of the oven. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top if you have one.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten eggs, milk, diced onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. Use your hands to mix just until combined.
  4. Pinch off a small piece of the mixture, flatten into a tiny patty, and cook in a small skillet for a minute on each side. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking sheet or wire rack. Shape it into a loaf about 8 inches long, 5 inches wide, and about 2 inches tall.
  6. Brush a generous layer of the glaze over the top and sides of the meatloaf.
  7. Starting at one end, lay bacon slices across the meatloaf, slightly overlapping each slice by about 1/2 inch. Tuck the ends of the bacon slices under the bottom of the meatloaf.
  8. Brush another layer of glaze over the bacon. Sprinkle the extra 2 tablespoons of brown sugar evenly over the top of the glazed bacon.
  9. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). If the bacon is browning too quickly, tent the meatloaf loosely with foil for the remaining cooking time.
  10. Remove from the oven and let it rest on the baking sheet for 10 to 15 minutes.
  11. Use a sharp knife to slice the meatloaf into 1-inch thick slices. Serve immediately with any remaining glaze warmed up on the side.

Notes

Don’t skip the resting time. The internal temperature will continue to rise by about 5 degrees during resting. Use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness. Overlap bacon slices by about 1/2 inch to prevent gaps. If your oven runs hot, tent the meatloaf with foil to prevent over-browning. Make extra glaze for serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: bacon wrapped meatloaf, brown sugar meatloaf, easy meatloaf recipe, comfort food, dinner recipe

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