Classic comfort food gets a Texas twist with this Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf, wrapped in smoky Kountry Boys Original Bacon for bold flavor in every slice.
Difficulty: Easy
Prep: 40 minutes
Cook: 80 minutes
Total: 120 minutes
Serves: 8
Ingredients
3/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons packed dark or light brown sugar
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
1/2 cup plain fine breadcrumbs
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Method
Line the bottom and sides of a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with 8 slices of Kountry Boys Original Bacon, ensuring the bacon overlaps slightly and letting it hang over the tops of the pan.
In a small bowl, stir ketchup, brown sugar and smoked paprika to combine. Spread 1/4 cup of the mixture over the bacon on the bottom of the pan.
To a large mixing bowl, add onion, ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Mix with your hands until combined.
Add beef mixture to the pan, patting down into the corners. Fold bacon over the meatloaf.
Place a rimmed baking sheet on top of the loaf pan, then flip over and remove the loaf pan to unmold the meatloaf.
Cut the remaining two slices of bacon in half and cover the ends of the meatloaf, tucking the bacon under the bacon slices on top.
Bake for 50 minutes. Then remove meatloaf from oven and brush with remaining ketchup mixture. Return to the oven and bake for 30 minutes more. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Long Description
There’s comfort food, and then there’s next-level comfort food. This Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf brings the best of both worlds — a hearty, homestyle favorite wrapped in smoky strips of Kountry Boys Original Bacon. Juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside and brushed with a tangy ketchup glaze, this meatloaf is perfect for Sunday suppers, family gatherings or potlucks where you want to impress.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Smoky and savory – Thick-cut bacon infuses the meatloaf with bold flavor.
- Juicy and tender – Lean ground beef, eggs and breadcrumbs keep it moist without being greasy.
- Crowd-pleasing – Perfect for feeding a big family or serving at potlucks.
- Beautiful presentation – The bacon wrap crisps into a golden crust that looks as good as it tastes.
- Classic comfort food – Familiar flavors with a bold Texas upgrade.
What Makes This Meatloaf Texas-Style?
Bacon Takes Center Stage
Meatloaf is a classic everywhere but wrapping it in Kountry Boys Bacon makes it Texas big and bold. The bacon crisps on the outside while keeping the beef tender inside — the kind of hearty, smoky flavor Texans expect at the dinner table.
Tangy-Sweet Glaze
The ketchup-brown sugar glaze adds a balance of sweetness, tang and smoke that complements the bacon perfectly. It’s sticky, shiny and makes the meatloaf as eye-catching as it is delicious.
How to Serve Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf
This dish can anchor just about any meal:
- Sunday Supper – Serve with mashed potatoes, green beans and fresh rolls for the ultimate comfort dinner.
- Potluck Showstopper – Slice and serve family-style — it’s guaranteed to get recipe requests.
- Weeknight Leftovers – Makes incredible sandwiches the next day.
- Holiday Alternative – A hearty main dish for gatherings when you want something different than ham or turkey.
Flavor Variations
Spicy Kick
Mix diced jalapeños into the beef or brush bacon with chipotle barbecue sauce instead of ketchup glaze.
Cheesy Surprise
Add cubes of cheddar or pepper jack into the meat mixture for gooey bites inside.
Sweet & Smoky
Swap ketchup for honey-mustard glaze or maple-brown sugar for a flavor twist.
Tex-Mex Twist
Season the beef with cumin, chili powder and garlic, then top with fresh cilantro and avocado slices when serving.
Tips for the Best Results
- Use lean beef (around 90%) to keep the loaf tender without too much grease.
- Chop onion finely so it blends evenly into the mixture.
- Don’t overmix the beef — it can make the loaf dense.
- Bake on a rimmed sheet pan, not just in a loaf pan, so the bacon crisps on all sides.
- Let the meatloaf rest 10 minutes before slicing so it holds together.
Why This Recipe Works
Meatloaf is comfort food because it’s simple, hearty and satisfying. This version takes the classic formula — beef, breadcrumbs, eggs and seasoning — and layers it with smoky bacon and tangy glaze for something that’s both familiar and exciting. The bacon wrap bastes the beef as it cooks, keeping it moist while forming a crisp shell of flavor. The end result is meatloaf that’s anything but boring — it’s comfort food, Texas-style.
Bringing Texas Flavor to Your Table
At Kountry Boys, we believe comfort food should be big, bold and built to share. Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf is proof — smoky bacon, juicy beef and tangy glaze come together in a dish that’s as satisfying as it is memorable.
Whether it’s Sunday supper with the family, a potluck with friends or leftovers for the week, this recipe guarantees flavor that feels like home.
Try more bold bacon recipes like our Kajun Pasta with Sausage and our Loaded Potato Soup.