I LOVE Meatloaf (yes, I know it often gets a bad rap as a 'blah boring' dinner choice)!! However... My family (and seemingly most people) have an absolute PASSION for Bacon!!... (Then I thought cheese would be a nice addition...) This is what I came up with!! "MiMa's Meatloaf!! (Mmmm... Bacon!!!)"

I have included notes along the way that hopefully will make this an easy recipe for you to adjust for your family (crowd) that you're feeding. It may be worthwhile to note that my husband and son both have wheat allergies, so this recipe can be enjoyed by those avoiding wheat whether by choice or due to necessity.

Enjoy!!

xoxox... "MiMa"

PS. If you're a young'un (under 12) or have limited baking experience please do get a bit of help in the kitchen for this recipe -- besides, (in my opinion...) it makes it more fun!!

Supplies

CLEAN HANDS!!! [And/Or food handling gloves]
Oven Timer
Baking Dish
Cookie sheets
Heavy Duty Foil
Large Mixing Bowl
Measuring cup
Measuring Spoons
Wooden spoon
Tongs
Cutting Board
Sharp Chopping knife
Old hand towel [or cooling rack...(for draining bacon)]
Hot pads or Oven Mitts
Thick Sliced Bacon
Ground Meat [I used beef]
Eggs
Cups Oatmeal
Yellow Onion - chopped [*add more or less depending upon size of onion and your family preference]
Pepper
Salt
Fresh Minced Garlic
Garlic Powder
Grated Cheese
1 HUNGRY Crowd!!

Step 1: Gather Kitchen Utensils and Ingredients

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time(s):
* Bacon: 14 minutes @ 400 Degrees

* Meatloaf: 90 minutes @ 350 Degrees

Utensils:

Oven Timer
Cookie sheets (2)
Heavy Duty Foil
Baking Dish
Large Mixing Bowl
2C Measuring cup
Measuring Spoons (tsp & TBS)
Wooden spoon
Tongs
Cutting Board
Sharp Chopping knife
Old hand towel [or cooling rack -- broiler pan can be an option -- (for draining bacon)]
Hot pads or Oven Mitts (2)

Ingredients:

1 lb Thick Sliced Bacon
3 lbs Ground Meat [I used beef]
3 Eggs
3 Cups Oatmeal
1/2 Yellow Onion - chopped [*add more or less depending upon size of onion and your family preference]
1 1/2 tsp Pepper (1/2 tsp per lb)
3/4 tsp Salt (1/4 tsp per lb)
3 TBS Minced Garlic (1 TBS per lb) [More is good too, in my opinion... Just sayin' ...]
1 1/2 TBS Garlic Powder (1/2 TBS per lb)
2 Cups Grated Cheese (I used White Sharp Cheddar)

>> Note: Use 1/3 of each amount for a one pound meatloaf, unless otherwise noted. <<

Step 2: Bacon - Prep/Cook/Cool/Chop

Preheat Oven to 400 degrees
Cover one cookie sheet with heavy duty foil
Put bacon on covered cookie sheet and carefully spread out for even cooking
Place bacon in preheated oven for seven (7) minutes
SET TIMER FOR 7 MINUTES
After 7 minutes pull out bacon (put on heat safe surface) for 'front to back' rotation -- return to oven [for crispier bacon you can use tongs to turn the bacon before returning to oven]
SET TIMER FOR 7 MINUTES
Remove from oven after 7 minutes, or desired crispness level -- we prefer on the crispier side for easier chopping and the bacon tends to soften a bit when cooked into the meatloaf
Place on heat safe surface to cool for about 5 minutes then transfer to a 'cooling rack' (I used an old towel on another cookie sheet) to both cool further and allow excess oil to drain and/or be absorbed
After cool to the touch (about 10 minutes -- longer is fine) use a sharp chopping knife, on a cutting board, to chop bacon into small bits; Set aside.

Step 3: Meatloaf - Prep and Mixing

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees
Set out baking dish, ready for meatloaf
Chop Yellow onion; set aside (I used 1/2 -- adjust more or less as desired)
To large bowl add: ground meat, eggs, chopped onions, minced garlic, garlic powder, salt and pepper
Mix Well. Initially I use a wooden spoon alternating between a cutting and turning motion, turning the bowl intermittently. Once fairly well mixed I use my (clean or gloved) hands to complete the mixing, adding the bacon and then oatmeal gradually (approximately a cup at a time).
Once mixed well -- while still in bowl -- Form into somewhat of a loaf shape.
Place into loaf pan (or dump into approximate center of baking dish) and form into loaf shape as desired

Step 4: Meatloaf - Baking Instructions + Cheese Topping

Place meatloaf in to Preheated (350 degree oven)
Set Timer for 45 minutes
After 45 minutes USING OVEN MITTS OR HOT PADS remove meatloaf from oven, place on heat safe surface and turn (switch the end that had previously been the front to the back) then place back in oven
Set Timer for 40 minutes
After 40 minutes USING OVEN MITTS OR HOT PADS remove meatloaf from oven, place on heat safe surface and check center of meatloaf with fork or knife insertion to confirm that it is done.
Once cooked through add desired amount of grated cheese to top of meatloaf, then USING OVEN MITTS OR HOT PADS return to oven. [*Note: I used about a cup of cheese on top of the meatloaf and put the remaining cheese at the table for those who wanted to add a bit more to their portion.]
Set timer for 5 minutes
Once cheese is melted on meatloaf, as desired, USING OVEN MITTS OR HOT PADS remove from oven to heat safe surface. [*Note: turning off the oven for the last five minutes is an option, during cheese melting.]

[**Note: Depending upon the fat content of the ground meat that you use you may need to drain oil from the meatloaf at about the halfway point of your overall cook time. Additionally, once cooked, it may be preferable to remove the meatloaf from the baking dish to a different serving plate before taking to the table.]

Step 5: Ready to Serve ... Choose Your Own Sides!

Most recently I served this meatloaf with a salad on the side and it fed our hungry family of six with leftovers! So a simple side will do, such as salad, or perhaps serve with potatoes and a veggie? Whatever sounds good to you!!

If you try this recipe please share what you served it with and what your crew thought of it!!