Grandma’s Crispy Maple Bacon Meatloaf

Description

Grandma’s Crispy Maple Bacon Meatloaf is the ultimate old-fashioned comfort food with a sweet and savory twist. Juicy, tender ground beef is seasoned with onion, garlic, herbs, and breadcrumbs, shaped into a hearty loaf, and wrapped in smoky bacon. It’s finished with a glossy maple-ketchup glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven, leaving the bacon crisp around the edges and the center moist and flavorful. This is the kind of cozy dinner that fills the kitchen with an irresistible aroma and brings everyone running to the table!

🥩 Ingredients

For the Meatloaf

• 2 lb (900 g) ground beef
• 8 slices bacon
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup milk
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

🍁 Maple Glaze

• ½ cup ketchup
• 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp smoked paprika

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet or loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. Make the meat mixture:
   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, and parsley. Mix gently until everything is evenly combined. Avoid overmixing, which can make the meatloaf dense.
3. Shape the loaf:
   Form the mixture into a thick loaf on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Wrap with bacon:
   Lay the bacon slices across the meatloaf, slightly overlapping them. Tuck the ends underneath the loaf to help keep everything in place.
5. Prepare the glaze:
   Mix ketchup, maple syrup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika in a small bowl.
6. First bake:
   Spread about half of the maple glaze over the bacon-wrapped meatloaf. Bake for 40 minutes.
7. Glaze again:
   Remove the meatloaf and brush generously with the remaining glaze. Return it to the oven and bake for another 20–30 minutes, until the bacon is browned and the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
8. Rest before slicing:
   Let the meatloaf rest for 10–15 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute and makes it much easier to slice.

🔥 Grandma’s Best Tips

• For extra-crispy bacon, place the meatloaf on a rack over a baking sheet so the grease can drain away.
• Use 80/20 ground beef for a juicy meatloaf.
• Don’t press or compact the meat mixture too tightly.
• Brush on a little extra maple glaze just before serving for a beautiful glossy finish.
• Leftovers make incredible meatloaf sandwiches the next day!

🍽️ What to Serve With It

Pair it with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, green beans, corn, or a simple garden salad for a classic family dinner.