Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Meatloaf Recipe is a cheesy and juicy recipe, which is made with ground beef and crispy bacon. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 2 hours.
Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Meatloaf Recipe Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking spray, for the pan
- 6 slices Texas toast, cubed
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 6 strips crisp cooked bacon, chopped
- 2 large eggs
- 2 red onions; 1 finely chopped and 1 thinly sliced
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 8 ounces Cheddar, cut into small cubes, plus 1 cup grated Cheddar
- 1/4 cup grated yellow onion (from about 1/2 onion)
- Dill pickle chips, for serving
How To Make Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Meatloaf
- Prep the oven and pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Soak the bread: In a medium bowl, mix together the cubed Texas toast and the milk. Set it aside to allow the bread to absorb the liquid. This mixture is called a panade and will keep the meatloaf moist.
- Mix the meatloaf: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped bacon, eggs, finely chopped red onion, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 1 tablespoon of mustard, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Add the soaked bread mixture. Using your hands, mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat. Gently fold in the cubed Cheddar cheese, distributing it evenly.
- Form the loaf and add glaze: On the prepared broiler pan, form the meat mixture into a loaf shape, approximately 6 to 8 inches wide and 1 1/2 inches thick. In a separate small bowl, mix the grated yellow onion with the remaining 1 cup of ketchup, 1/4 cup of mustard, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper to create the glaze. Spread half of this sauce over the top of the meatloaf.
- First bake: Tent the pan with foil and bake for 1 hour.
- Second bake and add cheese: Remove the foil from the pan. Spread the remaining sauce over the meatloaf. Continue baking, uncovered, for another 35 to 40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F and the meatloaf is no longer pink in the middle.
- Melt the cheese and rest: Sprinkle the 1 cup of grated Cheddar over the top of the hot meatloaf and return it to the oven for 5 minutes to melt the cheese. Let the meatloaf rest on the pan for 10 minutes before moving it to a platter.
- Serve: Slice the meatloaf and serve with the thinly sliced red onions and dill pickle chips on top, just like a cheeseburger.
Recipe Tips
- Why soak the bread in milk? This creates a “panade,” which is the secret to a moist and tender meatloaf. The starches in the bread absorb the liquid and trap it within the meat as it cooks, preventing it from becoming dry.
- How to avoid a dense meatloaf: The key is to mix the ingredients with a light hand and only until they are just combined. Overworking the ground beef will result in a tough, dense meatloaf.
- Can I use a regular baking sheet? Yes. A broiler pan is recommended because it allows the fat to drip away. If using a regular baking sheet, you may want to place the meatloaf on a wire rack set inside the sheet to achieve a similar effect.
- How to get the best cheeseburger flavor: Don’t skip the toppings! Serving each slice with fresh sliced red onion and dill pickle chips is what truly transforms this from a standard meatloaf into a “cheeseburger” meatloaf.
What To Serve With Cheeseburger Meatloaf
This hearty meatloaf pairs perfectly with classic American diner sides.
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Crispy french fries or onion rings
- A simple side salad with ranch dressing
- Steamed green beans or buttered corn
How To Store Cheeseburger Meatloaf
Refrigerate: Store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat: You can reheat individual slices in the microwave or in a 350°F oven until warmed through. Leftover slices also make fantastic sandwiches!
Cheeseburger Meatloaf Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 620kcal
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Sodium: 1300mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 18g
Nutrition information is estimated per serving and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of bread?
Yes, while Texas toast is great for its sturdiness, you can substitute it with regular sandwich bread or even leftover hamburger buns.
Why is my meatloaf greasy?
This can happen if you use ground beef with a higher fat content. Using a broiler pan helps the excess fat drip away. If you use a standard baking sheet, elevating the meatloaf on a rack is helpful.
Can I prepare this meatloaf ahead of time?
You can assemble the uncooked loaf and store it, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the initial covered baking time.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Soup Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole Recipe
Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Meatloaf Recipe
Description
All the flavors of a juicy bacon cheeseburger packed into a tender, easy-to-make meatloaf with a tangy ketchup-mustard glaze.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Soak cubed bread in milk.
- In a large bowl, gently mix ground beef, bacon, eggs, chopped red onion, 2 Tbsp. ketchup, 1 Tbsp. mustard, and seasonings. Mix in the soaked bread and cubed Cheddar.
- Form mixture into a loaf on a broiler pan.
- Mix remaining ketchup, mustard, grated yellow onion, and seasonings to make a glaze. Spread half on the loaf.
- Tent with foil and bake for 1 hour.
- Remove foil, add the rest of the glaze, and bake for another 35-40 minutes until cooked through.
- Top with grated Cheddar, melt in the oven for 5 minutes, then rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve with sliced red onion and pickles.
Notes
- u003cliu003eSoaking the bread in milk (a panade) is the secret to a moist meatloaf.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eBe careful not to overmix the meat mixture, which can make the final result tough.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eA broiler pan allows excess fat to drip away, but a wire rack on a baking sheet also works.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eLetting the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing helps it hold its shape and stay juicy.u003c/liu003e
