Bacon-Covered Meatloaf

Ingredients 

2 lbs. Ground beef

2 eggs

2/3 C. breadcrumbs

salt , pepper and smoked paprika, to taste

9 oz bacon slices

4 oz. mozzarella cheese, chopped

1/2 C. BBQ Sauce

Directions

1) Preheat the oven to 320 degrees. 

2) Mix ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs and spices in a large bowl. 

3) Line a 9 x5 in. loaf pan first with parchment paper and then with 2/3 of the bacon, leaving an overhang. 

4) Shape a long log with 2/3 of the meat mixture and fit it inside the loaf pan. Make a groove in the middle and add the mozzarella cheese to it. Cover with the remaining meat mixture. Fold the bacon overhang on top and cover entirely with the remaining 1/3 of the bacon. Spread with 1/3 of the BBQ sauce. 

5) Bake in the middle of the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Spread with another 1/3 of the BBQ sauce. Continue baking for another 20 minutes. Spread with the remaining sauce and serve hot. 

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook: 60 minutes

Total: 1 hour 15 minutes 

Serves: 8