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Mozzarella Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf

Mozzarella stuffed bacon wrapped meatloaf with a molten cheese center baked until the bacon turns crisp and deep brown. Seasoned ground beef is formed in a loaf pan, topped with bacon slices, then glazed with barbecue sauce and baked to 160°F.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
resting 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meatloaf
  • 2 lb ground beef
  • 2 large eggs
  • 0.67 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 medium onion
  • 0.25 cup green pepper
  • 1 tsp mustard
  • 0.5 tsp dried parsley
  • 0.25 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.25 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.25 salt and pepper to taste
Cheese & bacon
  • 9 oz thin-cut bacon
  • 4 oz mozzarella cheese
Glaze
  • 0.5 cup barbecue sauce

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Prep and preheat
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper; set aside an overhang-friendly setup.
  2. Lay two-thirds of the thin-cut bacon in the loaf pan, leaving an overhang to fold later.
Mix the meatloaf
  1. In a large bowl, mix the ground beef with large eggs, breadcrumbs, chopped medium onion, chopped green pepper, mustard, dried parsley, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt and pepper until just combined.
Stuff and form
  1. Press two-thirds of the meat mixture into the loaf pan in an even layer.
  2. Add diced mozzarella cheese down the center, then cover with the remaining meat mixture.
Wrap with bacon
  1. Fold the bacon overhang over the top and press to cover completely with the remaining bacon slices.
Bake
  1. Brush the loaf with barbecue sauce, then bake for about 1 hour at 350°F until the bacon is crisp and the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Rest and slice
  1. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes so the juices redistribute before lifting out and slicing.

Notes

For the cleanest slices and the best cheese pull, rest the meatloaf the full 10 minutes before cutting. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; freeze sliced portions for up to 2 months. For a lighter option, use turkey bacon and swap in ground turkey while keeping the same seasoning and bake temperature.