Bacon Cheesburger Meatloaf

A few years ago, I learned about this delicious dish from one Paula Deen (ya, I may or may not have spent hours watching Food Network in the past).

As I consider the recipe for dinner tonight, I have two options...

Make it as is, and just practice portion control...

Eliminate a few ingredients to avoid the excess of unhealthy calories...

And the verdict is...

Make it as is and I will put less cheese and bacon in it.
And I will practice portion control.

Okay, okay...I will TRY to practice portion control.

(Although this is the most moist meatloaf recipe I've ever come across, I do not condone eating bacon-cheeseburger-anything very often)

Happy Thursday my meatloaf-eating friends!



Ingredients:

1 pound ground chuck
10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 (8-ounce) package sharp Cheddar, grated 
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup break crumbs, toasted
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/3 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
1 (3-ounce) can French fried onions

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck and next 8 ingredients, mixing well.

• In a small bowl, combine the ketchup and mustard. Stir 1/4 cup ketchup mixture into meat mixture, reserving remaining ketchup mixture.
• Press meat mixture into a 9 by 5 by 3-inch loaf pan, or shape into a loaf and place on a rack in a broiler pan. Spread remaining ketchup mixture over loaf. Bake 40 minutes. Top with French fried onions; bake another 10 to 15 minutes, or until meat is no longer pink.