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This Mini Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf combines the best of a classic cheeseburger with the comfort of a home-cooked meal. Juicy beef, crispy bacon, and melted cheese come together in a perfectly portioned mini meatloaf, topped with a tangy ketchup and mustard glaze. Ideal for one or two people, this recipe delivers big flavor in a small, satisfying package.
Looking to try more mini meatloaf recipes? Our classic Mini Meatloaf, is a comforting, traditional favorite, while the Mini Turkey Meatloaf offers a lighter, flavorful option. For ultimate convenience, the Slow Cooker Meatloaf delivers incredible tenderness with minimal effort. Each recipe brings a unique twist that’s sure to satisfy any meatloaf lover!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Minimal prep and cook time make it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Cheeseburger-Inspired: Loaded with classic flavors like beef, bacon, cheese, and a tangy glaze.
- Perfectly Portioned: Sized just right for one or two servings
- Customizable: Adjust the ingredients to fit your taste.
- Kid-Approved: A favorite with both kids and adults.
RELATED: Easy Single Serving Comfort Food Recipes
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this mini bacon cheeseburger meatloaf recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Ground Beef: Use 85–90% lean ground beef for a juicy meatloaf with the right balance of flavor and texture. Leftover ground beef? Try it inLasagna Rollups, Stuffed Peppers, or Beef Enchiladas.
- Bacon: Four strips of crispy, cooked bacon add smoky flavor and a satisfying crunch. Use any extras in Cauliflower Casserole, Bacon, Egg and Cheese Cup, or Zuppa Toscana.
- Cheese: Cheddar cheese is my favorite for its sharp flavor, but feel free to substitute with Swiss, Gouda, Feta, or Havarti to suit your taste.
- Egg: One large egg binds the ingredients together, ensuring the meatloaf holds its shape and stays moist.
- Breadcrumbs: Both seasoned and unseasoned breadcrumbs work. They add structure and absorb moisture. Use store-bought for convenience or homemade breadcrumbs for a fresher taste.
- Seasonings: A simple mix of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder enhances the meatloaf’s flavor without overpowering it.
- Ketchup and Mustard: Combined, these create a tangy, flavorful glaze that perfectly complements the meatloaf.
Recipe Variations
This bacon cheeseburger meatloaf is easy to customize. Here are a few ideas:
- Spicy: Add diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce for extra heat.
- BBQ Flavor: Swap the ketchup topping for your favorite BBQ sauce for a smoky twist.
- Vegetarian Option: Use plant-based ground meat and dairy-free cheese for a vegetarian version.
- Deluxe Add-Ons: Top with caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, or even pickles for added flavor and texture.
How To Make A Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, mix the ground beef with cooked, chopped bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, an egg, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly combined.
- Prepare for Baking: Grease a 5×5-inch baking dish and press the meatloaf mixture into it. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, mix ketchup and mustard. Spread the glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the meat is fully cooked with no pink remaining.
- Rest and Serve: Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes after baking to allow the juices to redistribute. Slice and serve warm.
Expert Tips
- Use Ground Beef with Fat: Choose 80/20 ground beef for the best balance of flavor and moisture.
- Don’t Overmix: Combine the ingredients gently to avoid a dense, dry meatloaf.
- Add a Glaze: The ketchup and mustard topping adds flavor and keeps the meatloaf moist.
- Let it Rest: Rest the meatloaf for 10 minutes after baking to lock in the juices and make slicing easier.
Serving Suggestions
Pair your bacon cheeseburger meatloaf with these tasty sides:
- Sweet Potato Wedges: A slightly sweet and hearty complement to the meatloaf.
- Caesar Salad: Crisp and refreshing for a lighter contrast.
- Garlic Green Beans: Simple, healthy, and flavorful.
- Mac and Cheese: An extra cheesy and comforting addition.
- Roasted Carrots: Colorful and nutritious to round out the meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 5×5-inch baking dish is perfect for this recipe, holding about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of meatloaf mixture. Alternatively, you can use a small loaf pan or another dish of similar size.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Yes, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through or microwave in 30-second intervals.
Yes, you can assemble the bacon cheeseburger meatloaf and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
RELATED: 15 Easy Single Serving Dessert Recipes
If you’ve tried this bacon cheeseburger meatloaf or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Mini Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
Watch How To Make This
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ pound ground beef
- 4 slices cooked bacon -crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 large egg -lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons seasoned bread crumbs
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, mix the ground beef, cooked and crumbled bacon, cheese, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until just combined.
- Shape the Meatloaf: Press the meatloaf mixture into a lightly greased 5×5-inch baking dish.
- Add the Glaze: In a small bowl, stir together the ketchup and mustard, then spread it evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the meat is fully cooked with no pink in the center.
- Rest: Remove the meatloaf from the oven, cover it, and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use Ground Beef with Fat: Choose 80/20 ground beef for the best balance of flavor and moisture.
- Don’t Overmix: Combine the ingredients gently to avoid a dense, dry meatloaf.
- Add a Glaze: The ketchup and mustard topping adds flavor and keeps the meatloaf moist.
- Let it Rest: Rest the meatloaf for 10 minutes after baking to lock in the juices and make slicing easier.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
This meatloaf is delicious! I make it exactly by the recipe and it makes 4 servings for me. It’s in my regular meal rotation and I’ve never been a big meatlaof fan before!
Made as per recipe and it was a very generous serve and I could not get through it all but left overs were great the next day with a salad. Thank you.
Very good but too greasy for me (used 80/20 ground beef). Will use leaner ground beef or turkey next time, or lift out of baking dish to leave grease behind.
I spread the mustard on top of the meat and then spread the ketchup on top of that to eliminate one extra dirty dish. Worked out fine.
I’ve tried many of Joanie’s recipes and they’ve all been very good but tend to be high in calories. It’s not hard to adjust slightly to reduce calories.
Having great fun eating good, homemade food again without fighting to fit leftovers in my freezer!
Definitely cheesy and bacony (I used 3 slices rindless bacon – similar to Canadian bacon which I chopped and fried) otherwise made as per recipe with colcannon on the side for a very filling and comforting meal.
What would you serve with this
Any of your favorite side dishes would go perfect with a mini meatloaf. I love to enjoy a bowl of buttered noodles (https://onedishkitchen.com/buttered-noodles-recipe/), mashed potatoes (https://onedishkitchen.com/how-to-make-mashed-potatoes-for-one/), or roasted vegetables (https://onedishkitchen.com/roasted-carrots-recipe-for-one/).
Could I make this in a slow cooker like the ‘Slow Cooker Meatloaf For One’ recipe? Would I just use the same cooking time listed in that recipe?
I just got a tiny slow cooker and I’m looking for recipes for it. Your site is the best I’ve come across!
Yes, use the same cooking time as in the slow cooker meatloaf recipe.
Hi, Iโd like to try this recipe but I have a question about the breadcrumbs. I have Italian breadcrumbs. I donโt think they would work in a cheeseburger. What did you use? Also, will you be doing anymore meal plans? Love your site. Iโm a party of one, you have no idea how much this helps. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Hi Kymberlee, Italian breadcrumbs would be delicious in a cheeseburger. Use what you have on hand.
We don’t have any plans at the moment to do any additional meal plans but that could change in the new year – stay tuned ๐
I cook for my disabled son he doesn’t like alot of leftovers. We are making this meatloaf right now. Thank you ๐
I’m so glad you find the recipes helpful. I hope you both enjoy the meatloaf, Linda.
Thank you for all your recipes. I single and this are great for me.
Great full follower
This.Is.Fantastic! It was really easy to put together and tasted great. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!