This Pioneer Woman Meatloaf recipe is packed with juicy ground beef, crispy bacon, and a tangy ketchup-based sauce that caramelizes beautifully as it bakes. With a rich meat mixture, a hint of parmesan cheese, and a smoky bacon-wrapped finish, this comfort food classic is perfect for busy weeknights, future meals, and the next day’s leftovers!
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I have to admit that there are a handful of recipes that Ree Drummond has shared over the years that just speak to my comfort-food loving heart and this Pioneer Woman meatloaf recipe is packed with juicy ground beef, smoky bacon, and a rich ketchup-based sauce that caramelizes beautifully. With parmesan cheese and a seasoned meat mixture, it’s the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights and future meals.
If you have been around here long enough, you know I love a good meatloaf so even though I already have a number of meatloaf recipes on my site, there’s certainly room for one more. This delicious bacon-wrapped meatloaf tastes just as good the next day. Serve it with a side of green beans and creamy mashed potatoes for a homey, comforting meal!
Bring even more comfort to your table with my some of my best family dinner recipes like my Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Casserole, Homemade Chicken Pot Pie Recipe, Homemade Hamburger Helper, and Meatloaf Hamburger Patties!
Why We Love This Recipe
- This meatloaf recipe is packed with juicy ground beef, parmesan cheese, and a perfectly seasoned meat mixture, making it the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights.
- The addition of bacon takes this delicious meatloaf to a whole new level, while the ketchup-based sauce caramelizes beautifully for a sweet and savory finish.
- Perfect for future meals, this bacon-wrapped meatloaf tastes just as good the next day, whether served with green beans or in a sandwich!
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Whole Milk – Softens the white bread, keeping the meat mixture tender and moist.
- White Bread – Acts as a binder, creating a juicy and evenly textured loaf of meat.
- Ground Beef – The star of any meatloaf recipe! Use 85/15 for the best balance of flavor and moisture.
- Parmesan Cheese – Adds a rich, savory depth that takes this delicious meatloaf to a whole new level.
- Salt & Black Pepper – Enhances all the bold flavors in the meat mixture.
- Seasoned Salt – A little extra seasoning to make every bite more flavorful.
- Flat-Leaf Parsley – Brightens up the dish with a fresh, herby touch.
- Whole Eggs – Help bind the meatloaf together for the perfect texture.
- Bacon – Wrapped around the meatloaf for a smoky, crispy finish.
- Ketchup – The base of the rich, tangy, ketchup-based sauce.
- Brown Sugar – Sweetens the glaze and caramelizes beautifully on top.
- Dry Mustard – Adds just the right amount of tang to balance the flavors.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Deepens the umami flavor in both the meat mixture and the glaze.
- Hot Sauce – A few shakes give the sauce a little extra kick!
How to Make Pioneer Woman Meatloaf
- Preheat oven. Set to 350°F so the meatloaf bakes evenly and develops a perfectly caramelized glaze.
- Soak bread. In a large mixing bowl, pour milk over the white bread slices and let them absorb the moisture for about 5 minutes.
- Combine meat mixture.Add ground beef, parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, seasoned salt, flat-leaf parsley, and eggs to the bowl.
- Mix gently. Using clean hands, gently combine everything until just mixed. Overworking the meat mixture can make the loaf too dense, and we want it juicy and tender!
- Shape loaf. Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape and place it on a foil-lined broiler pan or sheet pan lined with a wire cooling rack. This helps the fat drain away while baking.
- Wrap in bacon. Lay bacon slices over the top of the meatloaf, tucking the ends underneath to keep them secure.
- Make sauce. In a medium bowl, mix ketchup, brown sugar, dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce until smooth.
- Glaze meatloaf. Brush a third of the sauce over the top of the bacon-wrapped meatloaf, reserving the rest for later.
- Bake and baste. Bake for 45 minutes, then brush another third of the sauce over the top. Continue baking for another 20-25 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Rest and serve. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. Serve with the remaining sauce on the side!
Recipe FAQ’s
Yes! Ground turkey, ground bison, or ground pork are great alternatives to ground beef if you want a leaner option while still keeping the meat mixture flavorful.
Not necessarily. Cooking the meatloaf directly on a baking sheet works fine, but trimming the bacon at the edges helps it crisp up better since the bottom won’t cook as evenly.
Mix gently! Overworking the meat mixture compacts it too much, making the loaf of meat tough instead of tender and juicy.
Absolutely. Prepare the meat mixture, shape it into a loaf, and refrigerate it overnight. When ready, bake as directed for an easy dinner on busy weeknights.
This delicious meatloaf is just as good the next day. Store slices in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days or freeze for future meals!
Tips for Success
- Use fresh white bread instead of breadcrumbs to keep the meat mixture extra tender and juicy.
- Lay the bacon evenly over the top, tucking the ends underneath so it stays in place while baking.
- A digital thermometer is your best friend—make sure the internal temperature hits 160°F for perfectly cooked meatloaf.
- Let the meatloaf rest before slicing to keep all those flavorful juices locked in.
- For even more flavor, sauté some onion and garlic in olive oil before mixing them into the meatloaf mixture!
What to Serve with Pioneer Woman Meatloaf
This Pioneer Woman meatloaf recipe pairs perfectly with a side of green beans for a classic comfort food meal.
For extra heartiness, serve it with creamy mashed potatoes and crusty artisan bread to soak up every bit of that rich, ketchup-based sauce.
If you’re looking for a little twist, a sharp cheddar mac and cheese or a fresh, crisp salad balances out the smoky bacon-wrapped meatloaf beautifully.
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or ground venison for a leaner take on this delicious meatloaf.
- Use sharp cheddar instead of parmesan cheese for a bolder, cheesier flavor.
- Add finely diced bell peppers to the meat mixture for extra sweetness and texture.
- Kick up the heat by adding more hot sauce to the ketchup-based sauce or mixing a little cayenne into the meat mixture.
- For a crispier exterior, bake the meatloaf on a foil-lined broiler pan to let the fat drip away while cooking.
More Irresistible Ground Beef Dinners
- Instant Pot Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes
- Homemade Chili
- Ground Beef Stroganoff
- Best Ground Beef Enchiladas
- Salisbury Steaks
- Ground Beef Tacos
- Elote Burger
- Easy Old-Fashioned Porcupine Meatballs
Pioneer Woman Meatloaf
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 1 cup whole milk
- 6 slices white bread
- 2 pounds ground beef (we used 85/15)
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon seasoned salt
- ⅓ cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 4 large eggs beaten
- 8 to 10 slices regular bacon (not thick cut)
Glaze
- 1 ½ cup ketchup
- 6 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 2-3 shakes of hot sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, add the white bread, crusts and all, and pour the milk over them. Let soak for 5 minutes.1 cup whole milk, 6 slices white bread
- Add ground beef, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, seasoned salt, parsley, and eggs. Mix well with your hands until everything is evenly combined, but do not overmix or work the meat too much.2 pounds ground beef, 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon seasoned salt, ⅓ cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley, 4 large eggs
- Shape the mixture into a large loaf that is about 13" to 15" long and 5" wide on a broiler pan lined with foil so the fat can easily drain off while the meatloaf bakes. Lay the bacon slices over the meatloaf, tucking the ends underneath. If using a baking sheet instead of a broiling pan, I would recommend just cutting the bacon at the sides rather than tucking it since the bottom won't cook through as well with this kind of pan.8 to 10 slices regular bacon
- In a medium bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, dry mustard, worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Stir until combined, then set aside 2/3 of the sauce. Brush the remaining ⅓ of the sauce over the meatloaf with a pastry brush.1 ½ cup ketchup, 6 Tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon dry mustard, 2-3 shakes of hot sauce
- Bake for 45 minutes, then brush again with another ⅓ of the sauce, reserving the remaining sauce for serving. Bake for another 20 to 25 minutes until a digital thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meatloaf reaches 160°F. Remove from the oven and let the meatloaf rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving with the remaining glaze.
Notes
- You can add sauteed onion and garlic to the meatloaf mixture. Just dice ½ a large onion and cook in a drizzle of olive oil for 4-5 minutes until softened, then add 2-3 cloves minced garlic and cook another 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and cool before adding to the meatloaf mixture.
- You can also use half beef and half pork.
Storage & Make Ahead
- Store: Keep leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. The flavors only get better, making it perfect for quick and easy future meals.
- Freeze: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Reheat: Warm slices in a 300°F oven or microwave until heated through. For extra moisture, add a little extra ketchup-based sauce on top before reheating.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the meat mixture and shape it into a loaf, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, simply pop it in the oven and enjoy a stress-free dinner!
Nutrition
Recipe from Food Network.
