Bill loves Five Guys and Fries. I mean… I think he would marry them if it was legal to marry a business and he had not already made a covenant with me and God. So, because of my devotion to my husband, I was rolling around this idea in my head for a week or longer about how to make a meatloaf taste like a burger from Five Guys and Fries.
Finally, tonight was the night to experiment and I. Nailed. It.
Step By Step
The ingredients are all really simple. (The full list is in the recipe below.) You could probably use breadcrumbs instead of saltine crackers but then you would need to add a little salt.
First, you need to slice four strips of bacon length-wise and then cut it into 1/2 inch pieces. Let it cook until brown and yummy. The kids will think dinner is ready for the table but give them a snack and make them wait.
I let my bacon drain on coffee filters, but don’t get rid of all the grease. You need some to saute your onions.
Place the onions in the skillet in a flat layer. No need to stir them much because you want them to caramelize and soften. When they are ready, place them with the bacon to let the grease run off.
Mix your meatloaf together by hand. Remove your rings first because cleaning raw meat out of your engagement ring is no fun. Been there.
Pat the meatloaf into the pan and lay the remaining strips of bacon across it. Cover with foil and bake it for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and return it to the oven for 20 minutes. You are letting that bacon on top get crispy.
Then, take the meatloaf from the oven and drizzle with ketchup and mustard. You can leave it like that or smear it with the back of a spoon. Just don’t mix it up very much.
Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and return it to the oven for about 10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
Serve with oven fries and a side salad. Don’t forget the pickles.
Bill wants me to cook this for the neighbors. I think he might be glad he married me, although he will still look longingly at Five Guys and Fries when we drive by.
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf with Caramelized Onions
Ingredients
- 1 ½ to 2 pounds ground round beef
- 6 strips bacon divided
- 1 onion diced
- ½ sleeve saltine crackers crushed
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 2 tablespoons worcheshire sauce
- 2 eggs slightly beaten
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup plus additional for topping
- 1 tablespoon prepared mustard plus additional for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cut 4 slices of bacon in half long ways and then cut into ½ inch pieces. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until browned. Remove bacon to paper toweling. Remove bacon grease, leaving only about 2 tablespoons.
- Place onion in the grease and flatten. Allow to cook only stirring occasionally. When the onions have softens and the edges have a caramel color. Remove the onions to paper toweling with the bacon.
- Whisk together the worcheshire and eggs. Set aside.
- Mix by hand the beef, browned bacon, onion, crushed saltines, 1 ½ cup cheese, worcheshire mixture and black pepper until well blended. Add in the mayonnaise, 2 tablespoon ketchup, and 1 tablespoon mustard and mix slightly.
- Shape into a loaf or place in a loaf pan. Place remaining two strips of bacon across the top. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and place back in the oven for 20 minutes, allowing the bacon on top to crisp.
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and drizzle with mustard and ketchup. Use the back of a sponn to smooth but do not mix. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Return to oven for 10 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 160 degrees.
This recipe is linked with love at The Gooseberry Patch, Life As Mom, and Add A Pinch.
OH. MY. WORD. I think I just found Greg’s birthday meal!
Is it crazy that I actually dream about this meatloaf? It was so good!