A fresh interpretation of the traditional meatloaf featuring a bacon exterior. This dish combines ground pork and beef, shaped into single-serving loaves and encased in crispy bacon strips. These bite-sized portions are ideal for a casual weeknight meal or dressed up as one of our go-to dinner party recipes for guests.
During a recent trip to Montana, my sister-in-law prepared this delicious bacon-wrapped meatloaf formed into individual mini portions. I found them adorable and decided to recreate them for my own family. They were an instant favorite at our table!
Here is what I adore about this dish (and why you will, too!):
- READY IN NO TIME– This straightforward meatloaf comes together quickly.
- IDEAL FOR PREP AHEAD – I am a fan of freezer-friendly meals, and this recipe fits the bill perfectly. You can prepare this bacon-wrapped meatloaf and freeze it for busy evenings or spontaneous guests.
- FLAVORFUL RESULT– Bacon infuses the meatloaf with extra moisture and rich taste as it cooks.
- PERFECT PORTION CONTROL – This recipe is ideal if you need dinner ideas for two. Prepare the full batch and freeze the leftovers for a future meal.
Components for Mini Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf
(A printable recipe card appears at the end of this entry for your ease.)
- Three-quarters pound lean ground beef
- Three-quarters pound lean ground pork – Should you prefer not to mix meats, all-beef is a suitable substitute for this recipe.
- One medium onion, finely diced
- One egg
- One cup panko bread crumbs
- One cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Eight strips of bacon
Instructions for Preparing Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the ground meats, diced onion, egg, bread crumbs, seasonings, and milk. Use your hands to blend everything thoroughly until fully integrated.
- Separate the mixture into eight individual portions and shape each into a mini loaf form. Arrange them on a baking sheet with raised edges.
- Slice each bacon strip in half. Lay each piece in a crosshatch pattern over each mini loaf, then fold the tips underneath.
- Place in an oven preheated to 350°F and bake for fifty minutes. For those who prefer extra-crispy bacon, switch the oven to broil, position the rack near the top, and broil for three to five minutes. Monitor closely to prevent burning!
Take the meatloaf from the pan and move it to a serving platter.
To simplify cleanup, consider lining your baking sheet with parchment paper or placing a rack on the pan to allow the meatloaf to sit above the surface. The rendered fat will drip down into the pan during baking.
Consider these accompaniments for bacon-wrapped meatloaf
While our household favors a touch of ketchup on top, barbecue sauce would also pair wonderfully
Popular sides alongside meatloaf include smashed potatoes, baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, potato salad, and cheesy potatoes Discover this article for a complete list of top sides for meatloaf.
Some folks enjoy meatloaf sandwiches made from leftovers; I find that delightful alongside a bowl of potato soup!
Instructions for preparing bacon-wrapped meatloaf to freeze in single portions
Preparing this small mini meatloaf recipe ahead of time is ideal when cooking for just one or two, or when hosting guests.
To freeze it, shape the meatloaf as detailed previously, but skip baking. Arrange the individual portions on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 2 hours. Subsequently, transfer them from the freezer into a ziploc bag or an airtight container.
When it's time to bake, take out the desired number of individual servings. You can bake them straight from frozen, remembering to increase the baking duration. Alternatively, thaw them first and bake for the specified time.
Alternative options and ingredient swaps for this mini meatloaf recipe
- Quick or traditional oats can replace the bread crumbs.
- You can prepare this meatloaf as a single loaf, the traditional method, and then encase it in bacon strips. For my secret to the most flavorful meatloaf with the best glaze, see this meatloaf recipe.
- If you desire a spicier meatloaf, check out this meatloaf seasoning recipe which you might appreciate.
More Delicious Meatloaf Recipes
- This simple meatloaf proved a crowd-pleaser at a camp and conference center.
- Lipton Onion meatloaf boasts rich flavor due to the inclusion of one package of onion soup mix.
Mini Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf Recipe
This innovative take on a timeless dish features seasoned pork and beef shaped into single-serving loaves. Enveloped in strips of bacon, these bite-sized delights are perfect for a weeknight family meal or impressing guests. They deliver all the classic flavors in a convenient, portable format.
Ingredients
Method
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the minced meat, finely chopped onion, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and milk. Using clean hands, ensure all components are blended seamlessly until fully integrated.
- Separate the meat mixture into eight distinct servings and shape each into a small loaf form, arranging them on a baking tray.
- Slice each bacon strip in half. Arrange each piece in a crossed pattern over the individual mini loaves, then fold the edges underneath.
- Bake in an oven that has been preheated to 350 degrees for 50 minutes. If you’d like the bacon extra crispy, turn the oven to broil and put oven rack towards the top of the oven and bake on broil for 3-5 minutes. (Watch it closely so it doesn’t burn!)
