9 ounces bacon, thin-cut
2 pounds of ground beef
2 eggs
2/3 cup breadcrumbs
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup green pepper, optional, finely chopped
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon dried garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground paprika
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
4 ounces mozzarella cheese, diced
1/2 cup barbecue sauce, of your choice
Step 1 - Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 - Line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper and 2/3 of the bacon, leaving an overhang of the bacon.
Step 3 - In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, onion, green pepper, mustard, parsley, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper with your hands.
Step 4 - Shape a long log with 2/3 of the meat mixture and place it inside the prepared pan.
Step 5 - Use your hands to make a crease down the middle of the meatloaf and add the cheese to the crease.
Step 6 - Cover the cheese-filled meat with the remaining meat mixture.
Step 7 - Fold the bacon overhang on top of the cheese-filled meatloaf.
Step 8 - Cover the loaf entirely with the remaining bacon and 1/3 of the barbecue sauce.
Step 9 - Bake for 40 minutes.
Step 10 - Carefully spread 1/3 of the barbecue sauce on top of the meatloaf.
Step 11 - Continue baking the meatloaf until an instant thermometer inserted into the center reads 160 degrees F.
Step 12 - Carefully transfer the cooked meatloaf from the oven and cover it with the remaining barbecue sauce.
Step 13 - Allow the meatloaf to rest for 5-10 minutes.
Step 14 - Very carefully drain the excess grease on top of the pan.
Step 15 - Slice and serve.
Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 8 servings