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    Home » Entrees » Pioneer Woman's Favorite Meatloaf

    Dec 20, 2010 · Modified: Oct 29, 2021 by Sues · This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads · View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer · 37 Comments

    Pioneer Woman's Favorite Meatloaf

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Meatloaf doesn't get a lot of love. But The Pioneer Woman's meatloaf will certainly change that. This meatloaf is covered in bacon and a delicious brown sugar ketchup sauce.

    Bacon Meatloaf from the Pioneer Woman sliced on a white platter and covered in sauce and parsley with the recipe title at the top

    Why does it seem like everyone is always hating on meatloaf? It just doesn't seem fair. On the one hand, I kind of get why a "loaf of meat" seems a bit strange. But hold please... Why then, are meatballs perfectly acceptable, no questions asked?

    I just can't get behind that logic and think meatloaf needs a few more people in its corner fighting for it.

    I don't know how long this meatloaf hatred has been going on, but at least since 1983 when A Christmas Story came out. Remember when Randy is sitting at the table saying, "Meatloaf, smeatloaf, double-beatloaf. I hate meatloaf!"? That's all I think about when I'm making meatloaf.... W

    ell, that and "Ma! The meatloaf!" from Wedding Crashers. Clearly, I know my meatloaf pop culture. Didn't even realize meatloaf pop culture was a thing, did you?

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    When done right, meatloaf is absolutely delicious. And you know, I'm not even sure there are many ways to not do meatloaf right. Like, it's meat. But it certainly can be done better. And wrapping it in bacon and adding a delicious brown sugar ketchup sauce is certainly one way to do that.

    The Pioneer Woman figured that one out with her Favorite Meatloaf recipe. Full disclosure...  I actually believe my dad figured the whole bacon on meatloaf thing first since he's been doing it as long as I can remember.

    But for the purposes of this post and considering where the recipe is from, I'll give all the credit to The Pioneer Woman.

    Ingredients

    This meatloaf has all the typical meatloaf ingredients in it... Plus a couple extras! Here's what you need:

    • Whole milk
    • White bread
    • Ground beef
    • Eggs
    • Parmesan cheese
    • Salt
    • Pepper
    • Parsley
    • Bacon

    And for the brown sugar ketchup sauce (which you DEFINITELY need to make), you'll need:

    • Ketchup
    • Brown sugar
    • Dry mustard
    • Tabasco sauce

    How to Make The Pioneer Woman's Meatloaf

    Luckily, this meatloaf is super easy. It may be a step or two longer than the typical meatloaf you're used to making, but I promise that each additional step is so worth it!

    I'm very excited that my local grocery store now has a pretty good selection of grass-fed beef. Here's what I used for the Pioneer Woman's meatloaf.

    Package of grass-fed beef being held up

    If you've ever made meatloaf before, this one is made in a pretty typical way. Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix together with your hands. And then form into a loaf.

    OK but really, to start, you'll put bread slices in a large bowl and pour milk over them. Allow them to soak for 2-3 minutes.

    Then add ground beef, eggs Parmesan, salt, black pepper, and parsley to the bowl with the bread.

    Ground beef with grated parmesan and parsley in mixing bowl

    And mix everything together (I use my hands) until well combined.

    Ground beef with grated parmesan, parsley, and eggs in mixing bowl

    Form the well-combined mixture into a loaf and place on a broiler pan (to allow the fat to drain a bit while it bakes).

    Ground beef mixture shaped into meatloaf on baking pan

    The big difference with Ree Drummond's meatloaf is that this is bacon meatloaf and so, there's bacon wrapped around it!

    So, neatly arrange the slices of bacon over the top of the formed loaf, making sure to tuck the pieces under the meatloaf.

    Ground beef mixture formed into meatloaf shaped and wrapped in bacon on baking pan

    After the bacon wrapping, you'll smother it in sauce and then bake for 45 long excruciating minutes. Then you'll pour even more sauce over it and bake it some more. And don't forget to save some sauce for dipping!

    Bacon Meatloaf from the Pioneer Woman sliced on a white platter and covered in sauce and parsley

    How to Make Brown Sugar Ketchup Sauce

    This part is easy – just add ketchup, brown sugar, dry mustard, and tabasco sauce in a mixing bowl and stir.

    This is the delicious sauce you'll use to smother the meatloaf.

    Brown sugar ketchup sauce in bowl

    Yup, the Pioneer Woman's meatloaf is good. Really, good. I think it's a combination of its simplicity, plus the bacon, plus the sauce.

    Though it has a couple extra steps when compared to the typical meatloaf, it's still a really easy process, making this the perfect weeknight dinner.

    You basically just put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix them together. You don't even have to cook the bacon and the sauce also takes less than a minute to make.

    Overhead view of a slice of the Pioneer Woman's meatloaf on a white plate with a platter with the rest of the bacon meatloaf and a bowl of sauce in the background

    And though it definitely doesn't need anything else, the bacon meatloaf is also kind of a blank slate. You can add whatever you want to it... perhaps some garlic or a little more sweetness. Do you have a favorite meatloaf secret ingredient?

    This recipe also makes a lot of meatloaf. Like, you better have some leftovers or else you may have a problem. No judgement, of course. But the only thing better than meatloaf fresh out of the oven on a Sunday evening is a bacon meatloaf sandwich for lunch the next day.

    More Easy Dinner Recipes

    If you're looking for some more dinner recipes to make your weeknights easier, check out some of my other favorites:

    • Thai Beef Basil with Coconut Rice
    • Greek Skillet Lasagna
    • Chicken Avocado Burritos with Corn and Feta Sauce
    • Chicken Parmesan Risotto
    • Mini Crispy Lamb Tacos
    • Pasta Puttanesca with Sausage
    • Shrimp and Feta Orzo Salad
    • Greek Stuffed Chicken
    • Cheese Tortellini in Creamy Marinara (from A Couple Cooks)
    • Broiled Salmon (from The Kitchen Girl)
    A closeup view of the slices of the Pioneer Woman's meatloaf covered in bacon, sauce, and parsley on a white platter

    If you're one of those people who's been a meatloaf hater, I'm going to have to insist you try the Pioneer Woman's meatloaf and then come back and talk to me. I think you're going to start singing, "meatloaf, beatloaf, I love meatloaf!" Or maybe it will be "Bacon meatloaf, bacon beatloaf, I love bacon meatloaf!"

    Are you a meatloaf fan or do you have your doubts? Have you ever had bacon meatloaf?

    Closeup view of Bacon Meatloaf from the Pioneer Woman sliced on a white platter and covered in sauce and parsley

    Pioneer Woman's Favorite Meatloaf

    Meatloaf doesn't get a lot of love. But The Pioneer Woman's meatloaf will certainly change that. This meatloaf is covered in bacon and a delicious brown sugar ketchup sauce.
    4.15 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Best Meatloaf, Easy Dinners, Pioneer Woman Recipes
    Prep Time: 25 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Makes: 8
    Author: Sues

    Ingredients

    Meatloaf

    • 1 cup whole milk
    • 6 slices white bread
    • 2 lbs ground beef
    • 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
    • 1 cup freshly grated or shredded Parmesan cheese
    • 1 tsp salt
    • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
    • ⅓ cup minced parsley
    • 10 slices bacon
    • Sauce (recipe below)

    Brown Sugar Ketchup Sauce

    • 1 ½ cups ketchup
    • ⅓ cup brown sugar
    • 1 tsp dry mustard
    • Tabasco sauce, to taste

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • In a large mixing bowl, pour milk over bread slices and allow to soak for 2-3 minutes.
    • Add ground beef, egg, parmesan, salt, black pepper, and parsley to the bread in the bowl.
    • Using clean hands, mix the ingredients together. Form the well-combined mixture into a loaf and place on a broiler pan with foil-lined on the bottom (to allow the fat to drain a bit).
    • Neatly arrange the slices of bacon over the top, making sure to tuck the pieces under the meatloaf.
    • Pour and spread about ⅓ of the sauce over the meatloaf.
    • Bake for 45 minutes, until the edges of the meatloaf are nice and browned. Pour another ⅓ of the sauce over the top of the meatloaf, and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
    • Slice and serve with more sauce on the side.

    Brown Sugar Ketchup Sauce

    • Add ketchup, brown sugar, dry mustard, and tabasco sauce in a mixing bowl and stir.

    Notes

    Recipe adapted from The Pioneer Woman
    Share a Photo of Your Finished Recipe!Mention @wearenotmartha and share a photo if you've made the recipe!

    View Web Story for this recipe.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Karen @ run shop travel says

      December 20, 2010 at 11:48 pm

      ummmm this vb looks amazing!

    2. notyet100 says

      December 21, 2010 at 7:20 am

      mmmm can i try this with chicken or lamb meat,,,,loaf looks yum

    3. Susan says

      December 21, 2010 at 8:02 am

      It's never been my favorite but you made a great case for it!

    4. Liz @ Blog is the New Black says

      December 21, 2010 at 8:16 am

      I'm right there with you- LOVE meatloaf. Ree's looks delish!

    5. Lauren at KeepItSweet says

      December 21, 2010 at 9:22 am

      i also love meatloaf, although i usually go with a super healthy version and this one looks amazing wrapped up in bacon!

    6. Erica says

      December 21, 2010 at 9:47 am

      My husband LOVES meatloaf. Turkey meatloaf, beef meatloaf....I even plan to try making a lentil loaf soon too (so I can partake!). I bet with the bacon add in - its just fabulous. Ree is amazing

    7. Katie says

      December 21, 2010 at 9:53 am

      Whoa. WHOA. Bacon wrapped meatloaf? Meatloaf is delicious and bacon is obviously delicious so...

      My stepdad makes a mean meat loaf- lay out the ground beef mixture flat then add a layer of thinly sliced smoked ham and sliced swiss cheese. Roll it up like a jellyroll and bake.

    8. Fun and Fearless in Beantown says

      December 21, 2010 at 10:18 am

      This meatloaf looks fabulous! I personally love meatloaf and if you're looking to order it when you go out, I'd say to try Pop's in the South End!

    9. sweeter salt says

      December 21, 2010 at 10:31 am

      Oh my gracious, that looks so good! I love meatloaf. I grew up eating my mom's healthified turkey meatloaf with sundried tomatoes, which is delicious. However, sometimes you just want the old school, bacon-covered goodness.

      I may need to make this some time soon.

      Laura

    10. Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says

      December 21, 2010 at 10:45 am

      I actually really like meatloaf (and it reminds me of that scene in Wedding Crashers when Will Ferrell screams, "Ma!! Meatloaf!!"). Anything draped in bacon is bound to be good too, so I can definitely understand why this is Pioneer Woman's favorite - and will probably be mine too 😉

    11. 5 Star Foodie says

      December 21, 2010 at 11:27 am

      Wow, an awesome meatloaf! Love the bacon around it!

    12. Lacey Bean says

      December 21, 2010 at 11:53 am

      My husband tagged this to make the other day! it was on my Menu Monday list yesterday - can't wait to try it!

    13. Monique says

      December 21, 2010 at 12:14 pm

      I gotta admit, i am not a fan of meatloaf with ketchup (i am still working on my issues with the stuff) but with bacon? i might forgive ketchup for all its wrong doings in my life.

    14. Germaine says

      December 21, 2010 at 1:25 pm

      I love Ree! Her meals look so delicious and I have tried a few myself.. her mac and cheese is my new favorite. I am not a fan of ketchup on meatloaf, but I bet my hubby would love it! Thanks Chels 🙂

    15. sarah k. @ the pajama chef says

      December 21, 2010 at 2:50 pm

      i love meatloaf. but i don't like it in the loaf form so i usually make it in muffin tins. i also think it needs a new name...

    16. Evan @swEEts says

      December 21, 2010 at 5:09 pm

      Anything wrapped in bacon is a.okay in my book! I like meatloaf, but like you I had a bad experience and have been slowly re-introducing the homey dish to my palate. This looks great and if its by Ree then it has to be good!

    17. Sharlene says

      December 21, 2010 at 9:19 pm

      I love meatloaf and don't care who knows it! This looks fantastic. I love the "lard have mercy." Hysterical!

    18. Shannon says

      December 22, 2010 at 2:21 pm

      i was definitely not a meat fan when i was younger. i've been meaning to try it now, but haven't gotten around to it yet!

    19. joan says

      December 23, 2010 at 4:50 pm

      Meatloaf and mashed potatoes is the BEST comfort food!

    20. Laura says

      December 24, 2010 at 8:00 pm

      Hmmm. I've made meatloaf before and liked it fine, but I never had it growing up so there's no magical nostalgia for me in eating it. I might try making it again sometime, but I'd rather just use the sauce recipe from here and make it without the bread, hamburger- or sloppy joe-style. Ree is fantastic though, and Karen gave a ringing endorsement on her blog too, so perhaps I'll give it a try!

    21. Katie says

      January 01, 2011 at 10:14 pm

      I just made this tonight for a family dinner (6 of us) and it was a HUGE hit!! Thanks for passing this along =)

    22. alicia Fidalgo says

      January 02, 2011 at 6:48 pm

      I absolutely love meatloaf. And wrapped up in bacon? can't go wrong!

    23. Lian says

      March 26, 2014 at 8:26 pm

      Since watching her show, I make her recipe all the time. My meatloaf recipe was so delicious, but Ree's is "over the top"

    24. Rebecca says

      January 20, 2015 at 7:53 am

      The bacon is like the icing on the meatloaf cake. Can't wait to try this recipe.

    25. Mario says

      October 16, 2015 at 11:36 am

      Liz / Made this for my 2 1/2 year old and he actually ate it I ended up hainlvg the recipe, using dark turkey meat and topping it with black forest bacon. I did use one of those meatloaf pans that drain the fat away so I cooked it for 1 hour at 350 and it came out perfect. So excited to have another food to add to our dinners. Thank you!

    26. Jennifer Jones says

      July 23, 2019 at 7:43 pm

      Instead of bread could you use Ritz crackers or something else, I just cringe at bread like that. Also if so how many crackers do you think I would I need to use?

    27. Sues says

      July 24, 2019 at 9:03 am

      @Jennifer- Hi! I think crackers would be fine to replace the bread... You could also add corn flakes if you prefer. I think I'd use 1 1/2 cups and still do the soaking in milk method!

    28. Jessica says

      September 24, 2019 at 10:25 am

      I do not not have a broiler pan. If I use a glass pan that is deep with foil would that work?

    29. Sues says

      September 24, 2019 at 10:44 am

      @Jessica- That would work! The reason for the broiler pan is to let some of the fat drain away, so you could also set a baking rack over a sheet pan lined in foil and get the same result. Or you could ball up the foil in the pan and set the meatloaf on it so that the fat will drip off into the pan. I hope that helps!

    30. Laney says

      June 08, 2020 at 6:18 pm

      5 stars
      I dont know why this doeant have a rating its the best meatloaf I've ever had.

    31. Sues says

      June 09, 2020 at 12:09 am

      @Laney- Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it 🙂

    32. Sharon says

      November 05, 2021 at 3:28 pm

      I love meatloaf . I know the bread gets soggy but does it make the meatloaf soggy. Love your recipes
      Thanks
      Sharon

    33. Sues says

      November 09, 2021 at 12:41 pm

      @Sharon- Thank you!! The bread does not make the meatloaf soggy at all- it just helps add a little moistness 🙂

    34. Carla Watkins says

      November 12, 2021 at 6:49 pm

      What percentage fat in ground beef? 80/20? 85/15? -How lean is burger?

    35. Sues says

      November 12, 2021 at 9:19 pm

      Hi Carla- I used 85/15, but 80/20 would also work well!

    36. Caroline says

      December 14, 2021 at 7:09 pm

      2 stars
      I followed the directions explicitly (to the letter) and it was a sloppy, soggy loaf that was completely raw throughout the middle when the cooking time elapsed. Continued cooking led to scorched sauce and burnt-tasting bacon. Thoroughly disappointed.

    37. Sues says

      December 14, 2021 at 7:25 pm

      Hi Caroline! I'm sorry to hear that and am baffled as to what went wrong! I've made this recipe many times over the years and have never had an issue, as have many of my readers. It's also originally the Pioneer Woman's recipe with tons of great reviews. I'd recommend checking your oven temp with a thermometer as the amount of meat used in the recipe shouldn't still be raw after an hour in the oven at 350 degrees. I wish I could help troubleshoot more!

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