Do you cook bacon before putting it in mac and cheese?

Yes, you absolutely should cook the bacon first before folding it into the mac and cheese for your Bacon Mac and Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf . Cooking it beforehand ensures the bacon is crispy, flavorful, and won’t release excess grease into the cheese, which can make your filling greasy or soggy. Pre-cooked bacon also holds its texture better when baked inside the meatloaf.

What can you stuff meatloaf with?

There are countless options for stuffing meatloaf, but cheesy fillings tend to be the most popular. Some favorites include cooked vegetables, sautéed mushrooms, spinach and mozzarella, or—like in this recipe— bacon mac and cheese . The key is to use a stuffing that complements the beef and won't release too much moisture during baking.

How to make bacon crispy on meatloaf?

To make the bacon on top of your Bacon Mac and Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf crispy, layer uncooked bacon strips over the meatloaf and bake on a wire rack. This allows hot air to circulate and fat to drip away. For extra crispness, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end—but watch closely so it doesn’t burn!

What ingredient keeps meatloaf from falling apart?

The key ingredients that keep your Bacon Mac and Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf from crumbling are eggs and breadcrumbs . Eggs act as a binder, holding the meat together, while breadcrumbs absorb moisture and create structure. Without them, your meatloaf would be more likely to break when sliced or served.

Bacon Mac and Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf – 3 Irresistible Reasons You’ll Love It

Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 cup bread crumbs; 1 egg; 1/2 cup ketchup; 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce; Salt and pepper, to taste; 1 box macaroni and cheese; 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Description

Bacon Mac and Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf is a crave-worthy comfort food mashup loaded with cheesy mac, crispy bacon, and juicy seasoned beef.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef

1 cup bread crumbs

1 egg

1/2 cup ketchup

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 box macaroni and cheese

6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with foil.

2. Prepare the boxed macaroni and cheese as directed. Stir in shredded cheddar and cooked crumbled bacon. Set aside to cool.

3. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix until well blended.

4. On a piece of parchment or foil, flatten the meat mixture into a large rectangle, about 1/2 inch thick.

5. Spoon the mac and cheese down the center of the meat. Roll the sides up around it, forming a loaf and sealing the ends.

6. Place the meatloaf seam-side down on a wire rack over the prepared baking sheet.

7. Lay additional bacon slices across the top of the loaf for extra crisp and flavor.

8. Bake for 40–45 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160°F.

9. Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end to crisp the bacon on top.

10. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing to allow cheese to settle.

Notes

You can use homemade mac and cheese for a richer flavor.

Swap ground beef for ground turkey if you want a leaner version.

Use smoked gouda or pepper jack cheese for extra flair.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 620
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 890mg
Fat: 38g
Saturated Fat: 17g
Unsaturated Fat: 17g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 33g
Cholesterol: 135mg