Smoky Bacon & Maple Glazed Meatloaf
A tender meatloaf infused with smoky bacon and a sweet-tangy maple glaze, perfect for cozy family dinners. This american-inspired beef ready in about 95 minutes pairs pounds ground beef, pound ground pork, panko breadcrumbs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup, finely diced yellow onion
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 4 slices, cooked until crisp and crumbled bacon
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 1/2 pound ground pork, 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup finely diced yellow onion, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 4 slices cooked bacon (crumbled), 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; mix gently until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
- Step 2: Press mixture firmly into a 9x5-inch loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Whisk together 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup and 2 tablespoons ketchup in a small bowl; brush evenly over the meatloaf surface.
- Step 3: Bake uncovered for 1 hour 15 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F (use a meat thermometer inserted into the center), then let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoky Bacon & Maple Glazed Meatloaf take to make?
Total time is about 95 minutes (20 min prep + 75 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Smoky Bacon & Maple Glazed Meatloaf?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pounds ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smoky Bacon & Maple Glazed Meatloaf?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Smoky Bacon & Maple Glazed Meatloaf for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Smoky Bacon & Maple Glazed Meatloaf?
American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
