BA’s Best Beef-and-Bacon Meatloaf

bacon beef chicken broth ketchup meatloaf parmesan

Jessie Damuck

8 Servings

Source

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, grated on large holes of a box grater

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

¾ cup ketchup

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

3 tablespoons dark brown sugar

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth

½ cup chopped fresh parsley

2 large eggs

⅔ cup fine breadcrumbs

½ cup finely grated Parmesan

1 tablespoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 pounds ground beef chuck (15% fat)

6 thin strips bacon

Method

Preheat oven to 350°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, then parchment paper.

Heat oil over medium in a small skillet. Cook onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, until very soft, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.

Meanwhile, bring ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, and cayenne to a boil in a small saucepan, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced and syrupy, about 5 minutes. Transfer 2 tablespoons ketchup mixture to a blender; add broth and parsley and blend until smooth. Set remaining ketchup mixture aside.

Add broth mixture, eggs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, salt, and pepper to onion and garlic; mix to combine. Add beef and mix well with your hands to combine. Transfer meatloaf mixture to prepared pan and form into a long log (about 12"x5"), smoothing surface. Spread reserved ketchup mixture over top and drape bacon in a crisscross pattern over loaf, tucking underneath. Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 165° and bacon is crisp, 70–80 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.