Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Meatloaf

What is better than meatloaf on a cold winter day? A BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf with mash potatoes and some fresh corn. Can you smell it cooking now? This recipe can be made on the pellet smoker or in your oven. I prefer to make 2 at a time on the smoker in the summer and freeze them to enjoy in the winter.

Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 1 hour Serves: 6 people

Pro Tip: Double the recipe & make 2 loaves. One for now and one for the freezer.

INGREDIENTS:

1 Med Carrot, Diced or Grated (Grated is best if you have kids that are going to notice)

1 Stalk Celery, finely chopped

4 ounces Mushrooms, finely chopped

2 pounds 80/20 ground beef + 1/2 pound pork sausage (if making 2, use 3 pounds ground beef & 1/2 pound sausage)

2 Garlic Cloves, grated or chopped

3 Sprigs of Thyme, (or 1 tsp dried Thyme) – optional

1 Large egg

6 Slices of cooked bacon, crumbled – optional

2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce

1 1/2 teaspoon Salt

1/2 teaspoon Pepper

3/4 Cup Plain Breadcrumbs (1 cup if doubling)

1/2 cup BBQ sauce of your choice (an extra squirt if doubling)

1 Pound (uncooked) Thinly Sliced Bacon

Your favorite BBQ sauce for basting.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat your oven to 325°F. IF USING A PELLET SMOKER: Set the temperature to 225°F and preheat for 15 minutes.

Gather & Prep

If you prefer to have the vegetables softer, precook in a microwave safe dish, in the microwave for 2 minutes before continuing on. Let cool for 10 minutes before going to moving to step 2.

2. Everything but the uncooked bacon goes in the bowl. Grab some gloves and get to mixing! Once everything is thoroughly mixed up, mold your meatloaf (or loaves) into football shapes and let it rest.

3. On a sheet of parchment or wax paper, weave the raw bacon. Weave the bacon. You do not have to be exact here, the bacon will forgive you.

4. Place the meatloaf in the center. Use the parchment paper to roll the bacon onto the loaf. Try not to have the bacon overlap or you will not have evenly cooked bacon. (If oven baking, move on to #5.)

SMOKER SUGGESTION: Place your meatloaf on a baking sheet, close the door and let smoke for 45 minutes.

After 45 minutes, remove the meatloaf and increase the cooking temp to 325°F. Preheat for 10 minutes. Then, Return the pan with the meatloaf to the grill/oven.

5. Insert your thermometer and bake until the internal temperature reaches 160°F and the bacon is browned and starting to crisp (about 1 hour). During the last 10 minutes, brush more BBQ sauce all over.

6. Remove from the grill/oven and let sit for 15 minutes before slicing.

Most importantly — Enjoy!!