Beerific Barbecue Bacon Meatloaf

A beerific variation to meatloaf that takes your mom's basic baked ground meat and takes it to a whole new level.

The meat is mixed with an onion beer reduction, spices and panko then topped with a glaze of spicy barbecue sauce and bacon.  

Moist, flavorful - perhaps the best meatloaf EVER.  




The flavor will change depending on the type of beer used.  I recommend a dark or amber beer. I used a bottle of my husband's home brewed nut brown ale.  Yum!

Beerific Barbecue Bacon Meatloaf


2 Teaspoons Canola Oil
1 Medium Vidalia Onion, Chopped
1 12-Ounce Bottle Beer
1 Teaspoon Dried Thyme
1 Teaspoon Dry Mustard
3/4 Teaspoon Salt
1/8 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
2 1/2 Pounds 85%-Lean Ground Beef
1 Fresh Panko Crumbs
1/4 Cup Chopped Fresh Parsley
1 Large Egg, Lightly Beaten
1 Egg White, Lightly Beaten
1 Cup Spicy Beer Barbecue Sauce
8 Strips Bacon


Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a small baking dish with aluminum foil and coat with a thin layer of oil.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until translucent and starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Pour in beer and increase heat to high. Bring to a vigorous boil; cook until the liquid is syrupy, 8 to 10 minutes. 

Transfer to a large bowl. Stir in thyme, dry mustard, salt and pepper. Let cool for 10 minutes.

While the onion mixture is cooling, cook bacon until just starting to crisp.

Add beef, panko, parsley, egg and egg white to the onion mixture. 

With clean hands, mix thoroughly.  Form into a loaf and place in the prepared pan.

Pour 1/2 of the barbecue sauce on the meatloaf and spread to cover.  Lay slices of bacon evenly over top and press gently into the sauce so they lay flat against the loaf.

Bake the meatloaf for an 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove from oven and spread the rest of the barbecue sauce over the top of the meatloaf.  Bake for an additional 5 minutes.  Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes; drain grease from the pan and slice.

Mac'n'Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf

You want comfort food?  I've got your comfort food right here!  All wrapped up in one delicious package.  Meatloaf stuffed with macaroni and cheese wrapped in bacon.  That right!  I said it!  Mmm, mmm, mmmm.

Mac'n'Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf

Mac'n'Cheese

1 Cup Elbow Shaped Noodles
1/4 lb Velveeta-Cubed
1/4 Cup Milk
2 Tbsp Butter


Cook the noodles according to package directions. Drain. Stir in the Velveeta, milk and butter. Keep on low and stir occasionally until cheese is completely melted. If it seems to thick add a bit more milk. Remove from heat and set aside.  Or you can cheat like I did and use a package of Velveeta macaroni and cheese.  

Meatloaf

1 lb Ground Beef
1 Tsp Chili Powder
1 Tsp Garlic Powder
1/4 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
1 Egg
1 Cup Bread Crumbs
1/4 Cup Milk


Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Set aside.

Topping

6 Strips Of Bacon
1 Cup Ketchup
1/4 Cup Mustard
1 Tbsp Worcestershire
1 Tbsp Brown Sugar



Preheat oven to 325 Degrees Fahrenheit. 

Line a loaf pan with foil. Place half of the meat mixture in the pan and press down and up the sides creating a well in the middle. 

Add your mac'n'cheese to well. You probably won't need all of it.

Place the rest of the meat mixture on top, sealing the sides.

Line a sheet pan with foil. Place the sheet pan on top of the loaf pan, flip over, transferring the meatloaf to the sheet pan. Discard foil from loaf pan. Perfect the form of your loaf and make sure the sides are sealed well.

Precook the bacon until just barely done.  Basket weave the bacon on top and tuck the ends under the loaf. 

Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.

Mix together the ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire and brown sugar. 

Remove the meatloaf from the oven. Pour sauce over top. Turn oven to 375 Degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 15-20 more minutes, or until sauce is bubbly and meatloaf is cooked through. Remove from oven and let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Cowboy Meatloaf

Cowboy Meatloaf  

3 Cups Mashed Potatoes

1 Pound Ground Beef

3/4 Cup Onion Finely Chopped

1/3 Cup Bread Crumbs Seasoned

1 Cup Brown Gravy

1 Egg Lightly Beaten

3/4 Teaspoon Salt

1 Cup Crisp Bacon, Crumbled

1/2 Cup Crispy Fried Onions Canned

2 Cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese Shredded

Note: Any mashed potato recipe will work but I used this recipe for the mashed potatoes and this one would be awesome, too!

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat 9x9 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine beef, onion, breadcrumbs, ½ cup gravy, egg, and salt until well mixed. Gently press into bottom of baking dish.

Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until cooked through. Carefully pour off any excess fat.

In a large bowl, mix together hot mashed potatoes with bacon, 1 cup of cheese and ¼ cup fried onions. Spread evenly on top of beef mixture and sprinkle with remaining cheese and fried onions.

Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is lightly browned. Serve hot with top with additional brown gravy.

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