Meatloaf–but make it fancy! But don’t worry, Stuffed Meatloaf isn’t challenging. The meaty, tender, beefy, perfectly seasoned classic gets transformed in shape from a flat rectangle to a loaf, to accentuate the flavors within. And get this, it’s literally stuffed with creamy, gooey, melted mozzarella cheese and draped in salty, crispy, hearty bacon providing deliciousness in every bite. Smothered not once, not twice, but THREE times with your favorite tangy barbecue sauce, Stuffed Meatloaf has everything required to impress your tastebuds!
Ingredients
- 9 ounces bacon, thin-cut
- 2 pounds of ground beef
- 2 eggs
- 2/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup green pepper, optional, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon dried garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground paprika
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, diced
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, of your choice
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper and 2/3 of the bacon, leaving an overhang of the bacon.
Step 3 –In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, onion, green pepper, mustard, parsley, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper with your hands.
Step 4 –Shape a long log with 2/3 of the meat mixture and place it inside the prepared pan.
Step 5 –Use your hands to make a crease down the middle of the meatloaf and add the cheese to the crease.
Step 6 –Cover the cheese-filled meat with the remaining meat mixture.
Step 7 –Fold the bacon overhang on top of the cheese-filled meatloaf.
Step 8 –Cover the loaf entirely with the remaining bacon and 1/3 of the barbecue sauce.
Step 9 –Bake for 40 minutes.
Step 10 –Carefully spread 1/3 of the barbecue sauce on top of the meatloaf.
Step 11 –Continue baking the meatloaf until an instant thermometer inserted into the center reads 160 degrees F.
Step 12 –Carefully transfer the cooked meatloaf from the oven and cover it with the remaining barbecue sauce.
Step 13 –Allow the meatloaf to rest for 5-10 minutes.
Step 14 –Very carefully drain the excess grease on top of the pan.
Step 15 –Slice and serve.
