This Bacon Mushroom Swiss Cheese Meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food, combining rich flavors of crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, savory beef and pork, and melty Swiss cheese. It’s a delightful twist on the classic meatloaf, perfect for family dinners, meal prepping, or an impressive weeknight meal. This hearty meatloaf offers a satisfying bite in every slice, packed with bold, earthy flavors.
Why This Recipe is a Winner
- Mushrooms add moisture: The finely chopped mushrooms not only provide earthy, umami flavors but also help keep the meatloaf moist.
- Bacon for extra richness: Bacon brings a smoky flavor and satisfying crunch.
- Swiss cheese for a creamy touch: Melty Swiss cheese creates a rich texture that complements the savory flavors of the meat.
- Ground pork and beef combo: Mixing pork and beef ensures a tender meatloaf with plenty of flavor depth.
- Crispy, caramelized topping: The ketchup glaze caramelizes during baking, creating a sweet-savory crust on top.
Ingredients
For the Meatloaf:
- 1 pound ground beef: Provides a hearty, rich base for the meatloaf.
- 1/2 pound ground pork: Adds extra moisture and flavor.
- 1 cup breadcrumbs: Helps bind the meatloaf together.
- 1/2 cup milk: Softens the breadcrumbs for a moist texture.
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a savory, nutty flavor.
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onions: Brings sweetness and a bit of crunch.
- 1 cup finely chopped mushrooms: Enhances the moisture and adds a savory depth.
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled: For smokiness and texture.
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese: Provides creamy, melty goodness.
- 2 large eggs: Binds the ingredients together.
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce: Adds umami and depth of flavor.
- 1 tablespoon ketchup: Adds a touch of sweetness and moisture.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Infuses the meatloaf with subtle garlic flavor.
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme: Adds earthy, herbaceous notes.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: For seasoning.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Adds a slight heat and flavor.
For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup ketchup: Provides a sweet, tangy topping that caramelizes beautifully.
How to Make Bacon Mushroom Swiss Cheese Meatloaf
Step 1: Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Preparing the oven in advance ensures even cooking once the meatloaf goes in.
Step 2: Cook Bacon, Sauté Onions & Mushrooms
- In a skillet, cook the 4 slices of bacon until crispy. Drain the excess fat, then crumble the bacon. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté 1/2 cup finely chopped onions and 1 cup finely chopped mushrooms until the mushrooms are tender and the onions become translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Set the mixture aside to cool slightly.
Step 3: Combine Meatloaf Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 pound of ground beef, 1/2 pound of ground pork, 1 cup of breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup of milk, and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
- Add the crumbled bacon, 1 cup of shredded Swiss cheese, sautéed onions and mushrooms, and mix lightly.
- Incorporate 2 large eggs, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Gently mix the ingredients until everything is evenly combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatloaf dense.
Step 4: Shape the Meatloaf
- Shape the meat mixture into a loaf and place it in a greased baking dish or on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Spread 1/2 cup of ketchup evenly over the top of the meatloaf to create a tangy glaze.
Step 5: Bake the Meatloaf
- Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). The topping should caramelize nicely, and the loaf should be firm yet tender.
Step 6: Rest and Serve
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meatloaf, ensuring each slice is moist and flavorful.
- Slice the meatloaf and serve warm.
Serving Suggestions
This Bacon Mushroom Swiss Cheese Meatloaf pairs well with a variety of sides. Here are a few ideas to complete your meal:
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes provide a classic, hearty pairing.
- Roasted Vegetables: Carrots, green beans, or Brussels sprouts roasted with olive oil and herbs add a fresh, vibrant contrast.
- Cauliflower Mash: A lighter alternative to mashed potatoes that complements the rich flavors of the meatloaf.
- Garlic Bread: Crusty garlic bread is a perfect accompaniment to mop up any meatloaf juices.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overmix: When mixing the meatloaf ingredients, be gentle. Overmixing can result in a tough, dense meatloaf. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Test the Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 160°F (71°C) for safe consumption.
- Crisp the Bacon: For extra texture, cook the bacon until it’s very crispy before crumbling it into the meatloaf.
- Let It Rest: Resting the meatloaf after baking is key to maintaining its juiciness. Cutting into it too soon can cause the juices to escape, leading to a dry loaf.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
For a serving of Bacon Mushroom Swiss Cheese Meatloaf:
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Protein: 32g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fat: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 900mg
Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60-70 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Servings: 6
This Bacon Mushroom Swiss Cheese Meatloaf is a hearty, flavorful meal perfect for any occasion. The combination of savory meat, earthy mushrooms, crispy bacon, and melty Swiss cheese will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Recipe Card
Bacon Mushroom Swiss Cheese Meatloaf
This **Bacon Mushroom Swiss Cheese Meatloaf** is the ultimate comfort food, combining rich flavors of crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, savory beef and pork, and melty Swiss cheese. It’s a delightful twist on the classic meatloaf, perfect for family dinners, meal prepping, or an impressive weeknight meal. This hearty meatloaf offers a satisfying bite in every slice, packed with bold, earthy flavors.
Ingredients
For the Meatloaf:
- – **1 pound ground beef**: Provides a hearty rich base for the meatloaf.
- – **1/2 pound ground pork**: Adds extra moisture and flavor.
- – **1 cup breadcrumbs**: Helps bind the meatloaf together.
- – **1/2 cup milk**: Softens the breadcrumbs for a moist texture.
- – **1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese**: Adds a savory nutty flavor.
- – **1/2 cup finely chopped onions**: Brings sweetness and a bit of crunch.
- – **1 cup finely chopped mushrooms**: Enhances the moisture and adds a savory depth.
- – **4 slices bacon cooked and crumbled**: For smokiness and texture.
- – **1 cup shredded Swiss cheese**: Provides creamy melty goodness.
- – **2 large eggs**: Binds the ingredients together.
- – **1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce**: Adds umami and depth of flavor.
- – **1 tablespoon ketchup**: Adds a touch of sweetness and moisture.
- – **1 teaspoon garlic powder**: Infuses the meatloaf with subtle garlic flavor.
- – **1 teaspoon dried thyme**: Adds earthy herbaceous notes.
- – **1/2 teaspoon salt**: For seasoning.
- – **1/2 teaspoon black pepper**: Adds a slight heat and flavor.
For the Topping:
- – **1/2 cup ketchup**: Provides a sweet tangy topping that caramelizes beautifully.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Oven
- Preheat your oven to **375°F (190°C)**. Preparing the oven in advance ensures even cooking once the meatloaf goes in.
Step 2: Cook Bacon, Sauté Onions & Mushrooms
- – In a skillet, cook the **4 slices of bacon** until crispy. Drain the excess fat, then crumble the bacon. Set aside.
- – In the same skillet, sauté **1/2 cup finely chopped onions** and **1 cup finely chopped mushrooms** until the mushrooms are tender and the onions become translucent, about **5-7 minutes**. Set the mixture aside to cool slightly.
Step 3: Combine Meatloaf Ingredients
- – In a large mixing bowl, combine **1 pound of ground beef**, **1/2 pound of ground pork**, **1 cup of breadcrumbs**, **1/2 cup of milk**, and **1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese**.
- – Add the crumbled bacon, **1 cup of shredded Swiss cheese**, sautéed onions and mushrooms, and mix lightly.
- – Incorporate **2 large eggs**, **1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce**, **1 tablespoon ketchup**, **1 teaspoon garlic powder**, **1 teaspoon dried thyme**, **1/2 teaspoon salt**, and **1/2 teaspoon black pepper**.
- – Gently mix the ingredients until everything is evenly combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatloaf dense.
Step 4: Shape the Meatloaf
- – Shape the meat mixture into a loaf and place it in a greased baking dish or on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- – Spread **1/2 cup of ketchup** evenly over the top of the meatloaf to create a tangy glaze.
Step 5: Bake the Meatloaf
- – Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for **60-70 minutes**, or until the internal temperature reaches **160°F (71°C)**. The topping should caramelize nicely, and the loaf should be firm yet tender.
Step 6: Rest and Serve
- – Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for **10 minutes** before slicing. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meatloaf, ensuring each slice is moist and flavorful.
- – Slice the meatloaf and serve warm.