Epic Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf
Indulge in the incredible flavors of Epic Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf, a gourmet twist on the classic comfort food. This rich and savory dish combines a succulent blend of ground meats—pork, beef, and veal—infused with a luxurious cream and herb mixture. The ensemble is enveloped in crispy bacon that adds a delightful crunch and smoky flavor, elevating meatloaf to an unforgettable feast. Ideal for dinner parties or cozy family nights, this meatloaf pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes or a fresh salad, making it a perfect one-dish meal that will satisfy and impress. Serve up hearty slices to share the love!
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
3 tablespoons (none)
large onion
1 (diced)
mushroom
1/2 lb (finely chopped)
large garlic cloves
3 (minced)
heavy cream
1 cup (none)
minced fresh oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons (or the same amount of dried oregano)
minced fresh thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons (or the same amount of dried thyme)
salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
fresh ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
ground lean pork
1 lb (none)
lean ground beef
1 lb (none)
ground veal
1 lb (or replace with ground beef if unavailable)
egg
1 (lightly beaten)
sliced bacon
2 lbs (precooked in the microwave until slightly crisp)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
2
Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 8 minutes.
3
Stir in the finely chopped mushrooms and minced garlic, cooking for an additional 3 to 5 minutes until fragrant.
4
Pour in the heavy cream, and add the oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper, stirring to combine.
5
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
6
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, ground beef, ground veal, and the cooled vegetable mixture.
7
Gently stir in the beaten egg until well incorporated.
8
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
9
Prepare a 9 x 5 x 2 1/2-inch loaf pan by lining the bottom and sides with overlapping slices of crispy precooked bacon, ensuring full coverage.
10
Spoon the meat mixture into the prepared pan, patting it down to create an even layer.
11
Fold the overlapping bacon slices over the top of the meat mixture to fully encase it.
12
Place the loaf pan inside a larger baking or roasting pan. Fill the outer pan with boiling water, reaching halfway up the sides of the loaf pan. Cover with aluminum foil.
13
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. After that, remove the foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 165°F (74°C).
14
Take the meatloaf out of the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before carefully pouring out the excess juices.
15
Slice into 8 portions and serve warm. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Epic Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf?
It is a gourmet twist on classic comfort food featuring a blend of ground pork, beef, and veal infused with cream and herbs, all wrapped in crispy bacon.
What types of meat are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses a combination of one pound each of ground lean pork, lean ground beef, and ground veal.
Can I substitute the ground veal?
Yes, if ground veal is unavailable, you can replace it with an equal amount of ground beef.
How many servings does this meatloaf yield?
This recipe makes 8 hearty servings.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
How do I prepare the bacon for the lining?
The 2 lbs of sliced bacon should be precooked in the microwave until slightly crisp before lining the pan.
What vegetables are included in the meat mixture?
The meatloaf includes one large diced onion, 1/2 lb of finely chopped mushrooms, and 3 minced garlic cloves.
How long should I sauté the onions?
The diced onions should be sautéed in olive oil for about 8 minutes until they are translucent.
What herbs are used for seasoning?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 teaspoons each of minced fresh oregano and minced fresh thyme, though dried versions can also be used.
How much heavy cream is needed?
The recipe requires 1 cup of heavy cream.
How long does the vegetable and cream mixture need to simmer?
The mixture should simmer for 5 minutes after reaching a boil, until the vegetables are tender.
What size loaf pan is recommended?
A 9 x 5 x 2 1/2-inch loaf pan is ideal for this recipe.
How do I line the pan with bacon?
Line the bottom and sides of the pan with overlapping slices of the precooked bacon to ensure full coverage.
Does the meatloaf need to be covered while baking?
Yes, it should be covered with aluminum foil for the first hour of baking.
What is the total baking time?
The meatloaf bakes for a total of 1 hour and 30 minutes: 1 hour covered and 30 minutes uncovered.
What is the target internal temperature for the meatloaf?
The meatloaf is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 165°F (74°C).
What is the purpose of the water bath?
Placing the loaf pan in a larger pan filled with boiling water (reaching halfway up the sides) helps the meatloaf cook evenly and stay moist.
How long should the meatloaf rest before serving?
It should rest for 10 minutes after being removed from the oven.
What should I do with the excess juices?
After the resting period, you should carefully pour out the excess juices before slicing.
Does this recipe use breadcrumbs?
No, this recipe uses a combination of heavy cream and a vegetable mixture rather than breadcrumbs as a binder.
What role does the egg play in the recipe?
One lightly beaten egg is stirred into the mixture to help bind the ingredients together.
What are some suggested side dishes?
This meatloaf pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes or a fresh salad.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use the same amount of dried oregano and thyme as the fresh measurements.
How much olive oil is used?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of olive oil for sautéing the vegetables.
Is there salt and pepper in the recipe?
Yes, it includes 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper.
How do I finish the bacon wrap before baking?
After spooning the meat into the pan, fold the overlapping bacon slices over the top to fully encase the mixture.
Is this a good recipe for dinner parties?
Yes, it is described as a gourmet twist ideal for dinner parties or cozy family nights.
What is the consistency of the vegetable mixture?
The mushrooms should be finely chopped and the onions diced to integrate well into the meat mixture.
Should the vegetable mixture be hot when mixed with the meat?
No, the instructions state to allow the vegetable mixture to cool before combining it with the ground meats.
How should the meatloaf be sliced?
It should be sliced into 8 portions and served warm.