Meatloaf Patties with Bacon are a fun and delicious version of a comfort food classic.
I love meatloaf, hot and cold! That’s why I was delighted to discover this recipe for Meatloaf Patties in the Minneapolis StarTirb Sunday Supper column. When I spotted the bacon strips on top, it made me think of my favorite hamburger made with 60% ground beef and 40% ground bacon. So I decided to put half of the bacon inside the patty and the rest on top. The tangy topping adds hot sauce to the traditional ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar base. The end result? Divine!
Meatloaf Patties with Bacon – the Perfect-Sized Meal
As I mentioned, I am a big fan of meatloaf, but a whole pan is too much for a party of one. That’s why these patties turned out to be the perfect option. I am a light eater. So I made five patties from one pound of ground beef (vs. one and a half pounds called for in the recipe.) Then I cooked two of them, wrapped the remaining three uncooked patties, and popped them in the freezer.
Tips & Tweaks
Ground & Chopped Bacon vs. Slices – I will not kid you. Ground bacon is not the most appealing-looking ingredient when it’s raw. But it elevates the flavor of ground beef to the next level! The additional fat also keeps the meat tender and juicy.
The Ree Drumond recipe cooks the bacon in whole strips, which are then used to top the cooked patties. I’m sure this version is tasty. But I assure you, putting some bacon inside the patties is worth the extra effort. I used my Bullet blender to grind the bacon, which worked well but was a little tricky to clean. I recommend using a food processor, or you could try finely mincing the bacon if you don’t have one.
Type of Bacon – I used thick-cut bacon, which is fairly available in most supermarkets. If you can find it, try to find thick bacon that is double-smoked, which adds a wonderful aroma and flavor to your patties.
Grated Onions & Garlic – Grating onions and garlic sounds fussy. But it’s a key technique for this recipe because the patties do not cook as long as a full loaf. The grating technique ensures the ingredients are not raw and overpowering. FYI – I skipped the garlic, and they still had plenty of flavor.
IMPORTANT TIP – use rubber gloves if you don’t want the lasting aroma of onions and garlic on your hands.
Tips for Using Bacon Grease to Cook Burgers
I often find that bacon can leave a lot of “dark debris” in the grease as it cooks. So, I like to pour the grease into a measuring cup after cooking the bacon. Then I wipe out the pan with paper towels. Because the bacon debris settles to the bottom of the cup, you can pour it back into the pan, leaving the solids in the cup.
Love Burger-Style Meals?
Mix things up and give these additional unique and delicious recipes a try.
Meatloaf Patties with Bacon
Ingredients
- 8 slices thick cut bacon (double smoked if possible) divided
- 1/2 sweet onion
- 4 closes grated garlic I omitted this ingredient
- 1 1/2 lb. ground beef
- 1/4 c. fresh breadcrumbs
- 1/4 c. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 c. milk
- 3/4 tsp. Kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1/3 c. ketchup
- 1 tbsp. packed brown sugar
- 1/2 tbsp. prepared yellow mustard
- 1/2 tbsp. hot sauce
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, start cooking 4 slices of bacon. Grate the onion using the large holes on a box grater.
- Cut the remaining 4 slices of bacon into 1-inch pieces and process in a food processor until they are almost a paste consistency (some small pieces are fine.)
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground bacon, breadcrumbs, parsley, garlic and egg, grated onion, milk, salt and pepper and mash everything together with your hands or a wooden spoon. Divide the mixture into four equal portions and form into patties.
- Remove the bacon to a paper towel and drain off all but 1/4 cup of the grease from the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook the patties for 4 to 5 minutes on one side.
- Preheat the broiler and line a sheet pan with foil.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard and hot sauce. Chop the 4 slices of cooked bacon into small pieces.
- Flip the patties and cook them until they're no longer pink, another 5 to 6 minutes. Place the patties on the prepared sheet pan and spread on sauce. Broil on the lowest rack for 5 to 7 minutes to set the sauce and further roast the outside of the meatloaf patties. Top with chopped bacon and serve.
Notes
A Heads Up for Caregivers
I am excited to announce I will be releasing my first book, Faith For Caregiver Emotions: Daring to Reveal What Only Jesus Can Heal, in early March. I will keep you posted as the date draws near. Here’s a synopsis of what this labor of love is about.
Some caregivers choose their role, while life’s circumstances determine this path for others. All of us have one thing in common—we want to provide the best care possible. And on a good day, we do. But we all encounter the struggle of sheer exhaustion and sometimes our own illness. We struggle with competing demands, stressful family dynamics, financial issues, and the unpredictability of those in our care.
Faith for Caregiver Emotions reveals the tumultuous feelings experienced by Cathy Bennett over her nine-year caregiving journey, feelings other caregivers struggle to express.
Within these pages, you’ll find relatable stories, Scripture, practical life application, and prayer to encourage your caregiver’s journey. Use this lifeline to navigate the stormy seas and discover hope in the Lord during a difficult season of life.
I Would Love to Hear From You