Bacon Topped Meatloaf~
by Liz Berg on February 28, 2012
The youngest member of the family really, really detests meatloaf. In fact he dislikes any entree with the word “loaf” attached. One evening, when he was not even 4 years old, Nick inquired about dinner. I happened to be preparing his father’s favorite salmon loaf (yes, the pickiest man in the world loves salmon loaf. Go figure). I knew he’d pitch a fit if he got wind of my plans, so I spelled out F-I-S-H-L-O-A-F…knowing he knew of no entree starting with F. This kid, who was too young to read, couldn’t tie his shoes, and didn’t venture anywhere without his threadbare Winne the Pooh, shouted, “FISHLOAF?!!!! I hate fishloaf!” And stomped off. He feels the same way about meatloaf. He’s away on a 3 day overnight retreat with 60 other seniors in high school…I imagine one of the blessings he’s counting is not having meatloaf for dinner.
I tested meatloaf after meatloaf, searching for one that reminded me of my mom’s best version. A friend shared a recipe from our former first lady, Pat Nixon, and I knew it was the one after my first bite. I’ve tweaked it to our liking by topping with ketchup and bacon and using a blend of ground meats. This is certainly fine using 2 pounds of lean ground beef.
Meatloaf…adapted from Pat Nixon
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup finely chopped onions
2 garlic cloves, minced
2-3 slices white bead
1 cup milk
2 pounds meatloaf mix (equal parts ground beef, ground pork and ground veal)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon salt
Ground black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
Ketchup
6-8 slices of bacon, partially cooked
Grease a 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Melt butter in a sauté pan, add garlic and sauté until just golden. Let cool.
Dice or grate bread and soak it in milk. In a large mixing bowl, mix ground meat by hand with sautéed onions and garlic and bread pieces. Add eggs, salt, pepper, parsley, thyme and marjoram and mix by hand in a circular motion.
Turn this mixture into the baking pan and pat into a loaf shape, leaving at least one inch of space around the edges to allow fat to run off. Brush the top with ketchup and lay strips of bacon across the width of the loaf.
Preheat the oven to 375º. Bake meatloaf on lower shelf of oven for 1 hour, or until meat is cooked through. Pour off accumulated fat several times while baking and after meat is fully cooked. Let stand on wire rack for five minutes before slicing. Makes 6 servings.
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{ 71 comments… read them below or add one }
This is gorgeous! We are big meatloaf eaters around here. I love to use meatloaf mix but can’t find it very often anymore. I make a couple of different varieties but never post them because it is such a difficult subject to photograph. Love your photos!
I <3 bacon…. havent had it in two years, but man I couldn’t resist that. It really stinks to get old!
I am into meat loaf Lizzy but that does not mean I am not admiring this lovely one you have made. That bacon pieces on top looks so good with that crispy part here and there.
hands down amazing. Who doesnt love bacon? I love this
Fantastic that topping with bacon helps keep moist the meat but also give a great flavour!
Kids man, they just ruin everything
I jest! I bet your fishloaf was ace. I certainly know this BACON COVERED DREAM is ace!!!
Oh Lizzy I love meatloaf …. sorry if I didn’t visit your blog, but I was on Holidays in Morocco…. hugs, Flavia
I absolutely love meat loaf! Great idea adding ketchup and bacon. Definitely a winning recipe.
YUM! These bacon topped meatloaf looks so delicious! Love it!
yummy!
Now you’re making me hungry ! tsk ;D It looks absolutely decadent ! Salmon loaf really sounds delicious though hahaha
Ah the joys of eating what you like when the kids are gone! This does look fabulous, bacon makes everything wonderful. Enjoy the day!
My family likes meatloafs of any kind, even meatless! But this one looks so good, I guess bacon keeps all the juices locked in, so the flavor must be incredible. Great post, Lizzy!
I’d say that your little man knew his mind for sure. His loaf spidey senses are akin to Dudette’s with regard to zucchini. Kids are amazing.
I’m loving the bacon on top of your loaf. Since I’m just coming into loaf love myself, this appeals to me a lot. The juices from the bacon would baste the loaf and keep it so moist and tender. I’m sold!
I bet that bacon added loads of flavor! Yum!
Meatloaf is always a favorite in my house and the bacon just makes it awesomer!
Now I am craving this for lunch it looks so good. I can also imagine how good it smells too.
Such a great story.
I was cracking up. Love that bacon topping.
it must be good!
Life and travelling
Cooking
This sounds delicious. I always love meatloaf on day two when it can be thinly sliced and made into a sandwich. Have a great day. Blessings…Mary
It’s the bacon! I’ve go to try this recipe.
After seeing the pictures of this my 14 year old wants to move in with you!
mary x
It looks delicious. I have never had meatloaf, but I’m sure it’s one of these dishes which can be disgusting but also amazingly good when made well with good quality products. If i make one, I’ll certainly add the bacon layer.
Liz – This dish looks delicious! My boys love bacon so I’m sure this would be a homerun with them. And I love the new look of your blog (haven’t been here in a while)!
You had me at bacon! I’ve put bacon in meatloaf, but never thought to top it with bacon!!! This looks delicious and we are def loaf lovers here. Too cute about your son!
This looks wonderful. I am a huge fan of bacon meatloaf, but we are ALL meatloaf lovers here. With cheese, bacon or balsamic glaze… We love them all equally.
How can he not like meat loaf wrapped in bacon, bacon make everything good. I think of meatloaf as an old fashion dish but when ever I eat it I want more, more, more. great recipe.
Fishloaf…?! what?!
Hhaha, L O V E the bacon on the meatloaf. Creative
too funny – gotta say – Not sure how mine would have done with fishloaf at that age. This meatloaf looks great. I love meatloaf and it is always better with bacon!
i am a nonloaf liker too, but i know man food when i see it and my husband would worship me if i made him this tonight
Meat-loaf – we don’t eat a lot of it in Europe… it’s quite an American thing I think, but I’ve had it a few times and love it… what’s not to like about it. Not sure about fishloaf though, lol
Love all that bacon draped over the top… yum!
Liz, love this meatloaf and your bacon is wonderful on it~!! There’s hope for Nick..it took a while for Rees to come around too~!
You had me at bacon. I love meatloaf. I will have to give your version a try. Thanks for sharing.
It. It’s. It’s beautiful.
Like something out of Epic Meal Time.
I need to make this. This, of all the recipes you have posted. I have a new goal.
This sounds delicious and I love the bacon wrapped about the loaf. I have to agree with your son, tho – I hate fish loaf! lol But meatloaf – now that’s just good comfort food!
What if you called it meat cake or baked bacon and meat patty? Did he attend a hostel. Meat loaves served there can probably forever traumatised you. BTW great bacon to meat ratio.
Wow, I love your meatloaf…looks delicious especially wrapped in bacon…who can resit bacon?
Hope you are having a great week Lizzy
I love meatloaf, Brian doesn’t. (What kind of man doesn’t like meatloaf? I always though of it as “guy” food.) So I never cook it. Oh, and with bacon on top…sigh. Guess I’ll have to come to your house
I love meat loaf and bacon makes everything better! This looks amazing! What time’s dinner? We all be right over
Your son reminds me of my son and onions. I ban him from coming into the kitchen if I’m starting to cook because if he sees me put onions into something… he’s not eating it. You know I love meatloaf and bacon… win.. win… and since you made it I know it’s going to be another win.
Like your son, I have an aversion to meatloaf. Unlike him, though, it’s because growing up my mom made the worst meatloaf and it’s scarred me for life.
I’m sure yours is tasty. The pictures are fantastic!
This looks delicious Liz! When I was younger we only had one incident with meatloaf and it was probably my moms only attempt. Somehow it caught on fire! Yes fire! Then it ended up being more like meatloaf slop. Fond memories of meatloaf.
But this seriously sounds delicious & I especially love the bacon on top!
I simply cannot imagine NOT liking meatloaf. It is one of my comfort foods. This looks like the ultimate meatloaf wrapped in all that bacon. It has to be delicious!
Aren’t families funny? I remember little honest tricks – my father wouldn’t eat goat cheese – but he liked chevre. Tee hee. This house loves, loves meatloaf and I always look for new ways to prepare it – but it must be hearty and this is definitely a “meat-lovers” meatloaf! Love it.
We aren’t big meatloaf fan at this house, but you add bacon, and I think all of us would be happy!
Love this. It reminds me of my grandmother’s meatloaf. She would put a slice or two on top of her meatloaf (and sometimes put a hard boiled egg in the center—something she learned form some German girls).
The meatloaf sounds amazing with all the yummy bacon on top!
I love anything with bacon & this looks so inviting, dear!
I can’t believe that people doesn’t like meat loaf, my sister hates it since she was a child but I LOVE it I think that it’s one of my favorite meals and yours looks perfect
I’m actually a big fan of meatloaf (and really, anything with bacon) but I have to admit that I haven’t made meatloaf myself yet! This is a great recipe and one that’s making my mouth water
Bacon gives everything such wonderful flavor, and presentation. Love your meatloaf with all those beautiful crispy slices of bacon. I remember, in the seventies there were so many recipes that were topped with bacon…even put slices on turkey, shrimp wrapped in bacon, even hot dogs wrapped in bacon…good Lord…just babbling and reminiscing over here; next thing you know, I’ll be “bawling” missing the old days:DDD
Oh, how I love those delicious, crispy slices of bacon on top! Great recipe, Lizzy!
Lizzy, I forgot to congratulate you for the Top 9!
Congratulations!
xo
Woah! This is top 9 material Liz! Congratulations.
Heavenly!!!!
I bet this baby is so moist and yummy….
Beautiful job Liz!!!
I love, love bacon. Great recipe.
And I can’t imagine how somebody can not like meatloaf
I just love them 
This looks awesome…love the bacon on top…
It’s been ages since I’ve made a meatloaf! I would pick the bacon off first and no one else would get any.
We know it’s not an original thought, but bacon really does make everything better! Once we went to bacon-topped meat loaf we never went back, it just doesn’t seem complete without it! Very delicious!
Hah, look at em being the voice of descent. i am not really a huge fan of bacon, so I think I would like the meatloaf (the flavoring of which I adore!) better without it
Meatloaf gets such a bad name, as most people have a 50′s diner perception of the food. Recipes like this help to change these unfortunate ideas. Of course bacon makes everything better.
I love the look of this meatloaf! look at those bacon strips! so yummy!
As much as I love meatloaf, I have to agree that there is something unappealing about applying the word “loaf” to any sort of entree. Still, I love it and especially when topped with BACON!
My son is addicted to bacon – I bet he could eat this all by himself!
I say hooray for meatloaf!
Looks so tasty and delicious with his crispy bacon… buono!
Oh, Liz, your story is priceless! I really don’t know how you do it with all your picky eaters. They’d eat a lot of pb&j around my house
LOL
I love all foods with ‘loaf’ in the title… am i weird? but I must say that salmon loaf sounds way better than ‘fishloaf’ 
the gorgeous bacon would make any meatloaf hater eat a slice or two! Looks amazing, Lizzy!
I don’t know how anyone could detest meatloaf! I love it, and I know your has to be good especially with the bacon!
Handsome loathes anything with the word loaf in it too… which makes me terribly sad, because I love a meatloaf and this one looks like its perfect.
Thanks for linking this in to Food on Friday: Meatloaf. Have a great week.