BA’s Best Beef-and-Bacon Meatloaf

Ingredients

SERVINGS: 8

• 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
  
  

  Preparation

  • 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.