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Dutch Oven Peppered Bacon Meatloaf

Cooked Dutch oven peppered bacon meatloaf garnished with fresh parsley
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes

Dutch Oven Peppered Bacon Meatloaf takes the classic comfort food to the next level by adding sausage and thick cut peppercorn bacon. 

Peppered bacon latticed over a hearty meatloaf in a dutch oven garnished with fresh parsley.

There is nothing more American than apple pie. Unless we’re talking savory, then it’s meatloaf.

What is meatloaf?

For something so delicious, why does it have a less than appetizing name. A loaf of meat.

Well, now that I put it like that, it does sound down right scrumptious.

Peppered bacon meatloaf garnished with fresh parsley served with mashed potatoes and green beans.

Meatloaf, as its name states, is a loaf of meat, mixed with other ingredients like aromatics (onions, garlic, celery, peppers), binders (eggs, breadcrumbs, crackers, rolled oats), and flavorings or mix-ins (sauces like ketchup or Worcestershire, herbs, spices, cheeses).

Traditionally, it is cooked in a loaf pan, then sliced like bread.

One might be surprised to learn that much like the hot dog, pretty much every culture has a form of meatloaf in their cuisine.

Dutch Oven Meatloaf Recipe

Ingredients to make the meatloaf: ground Italian sausage, ground beef, eggs, panko, onion, celery, peppered bacon, fresh parsley, seasonings, and a dutch oven.

A few notes before we begin:

Using a 10″ or 12″ skillet instead of a Dutch oven will work for this recipe. Additionally, you can use cast iron loaf pans (or any kind), but you’ll need to divide the mixture among two pans.

For ease, I used ground Italian sausage, however, buying links and removing the casings will work perfectly too.

Ground beef and ground Italian sausage crumbled into a large bowl.

Crumble both the ground beef and ground Italian sausage into a large bowl. Crumbling the meats before hand will help reduce the mixing later. Over-mixing ground meats tends to lead to dry and tough results.

And nobody likes dry, tough meat. Nobody!

Two eggs have been added to the crumbled meats in the large bowl.

Add two eggs. Three, if using medium.

Why are eggs added to meatloaf?

Eggs are added to meatloaf (meatballs too) for two reasons: moisture and binding. Rich egg yolks add silky fat which will help keep meatloaf juicy. Together with egg whites, they will hold or bind the meat and other ingredients together in the desired form.

The remaining ingredients have been added: onions, celery, parsley, panko, and seasonings (salt, pepper, granulated garlic.)

Eggs and ground meat are the two constants in any meatloaf, after that, the ingredients will vary wildly depending on the desired flavor.

We’ve added diced onions and celery, panko (Japanese bread crumbs), fresh parsley, and seasonings: salt, pepper, and granulated garlic.

Because we used Italian sausage, we wanted to stick with more milder mix-ins, allowing the sausage flavor to shine through.

All the ingredients for the meatloaf have been combined in a large bowl.

Mix together, (by hand with or without gloves, a spoon, or by telekinetic powers) all the ingredients. Take care to not over mix, remember my warnings above.

The meatloaf mixture patted down into a Dutch oven, ready for baking.

Add the meatloaf mixture to the Dutch oven (or whatever pan you’re using) and pat smooth. Take care the mixture is spread evenly in the pan to ensure even cooking.

Peppered bacon has been applied to the top of the meatloaf in a lattice weave.

Layer the bacon across the top of the meatloaf. The slices may need to be trimmed, but can be used to fill in wholes or gaps.

We did a lattice weave, but this is not necessary. We were striving for beauty along with taste. And nothing says beauty like woven bacon strips.

Cooked Dutch Oven Peppered Bacon Meatloaf garnished with fresh parsley.

Once the meatloaf is done, allow it to rest for a few minutes before slicing and drain off any renderings.

We served this with the classic sides mashed potatoes and peas.

A slice of peppered bacon meatloaf plated with mashed potatoes and green peas.

What to serve with meatloaf?

While mashed potatoes and peas are a classic; there are so many delicious side dishes to pair with your meatloaf.

Triangle slices of sweet cornbread on a black platter.

Easy Potato Recipes

Brimming bowl of red potatoes mashed with bacon and blue cheese, garnished with chives.

Easy Vegetable Side Dish Recipes

Dutch Oven Honey Glazed Carrots in a green serving bowl garnished with fresh thyme.
Slow cooker crock full of cheesy creamy corn with slices for fresh jalapeño.
Fresh green beans tossed with bacon and sun-dried tomatoes.
Mashed potatoes and peas in the background with peppered bacon meatloaf plated in the center.
Cooked Dutch oven peppered bacon meatloaf garnished with fresh parsley
Print Recipe
5 from 21 votes

Dutch Oven Peppered Bacon Meatloaf

Dutch Oven Peppered Bacon Meatloaf takes the classic comfort food to the next level by adding sausage and thick cut peppercorn bacon.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 30 minutes
Resting Time5 minutes
Total Time1 hour 50 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Peppered Bacon Meatloaf
Servings: 8
Calories: 675kcal
Author: Ned Adams
Cost: $15

Equipment

  • 4 qt. Dutch Oven

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground beef I used 85%
  • 1 lb ground Italian sausage I used mild
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup yellow onion diced
  • cup celery diced (2 ribs)
  • ½ cup panko
  • 2 tbsp parsley chopped
  • ½ tsp salt to taste
  • ½ tsp pepper to taste
  • ½ tsp granulated garlic to taste
  • 8 slices thick cut peppered bacon

Instructions

  • Pre-heat oven to 350°F
  • Crumble the beef and sausage into a large bowl (see notes).
  • Add the eggs, onions, celery, panko, parsley, salt, pepper, and granulated garlic to the meat in the bowl.
  • Mix well until combined.
  • Add the meatloaf mixture to the Dutch oven, making sure it is even and smoothed.
  • Lattice weave or layer the peppered bacon over the top of the meatloaf; trimming if neccessary. Use trimmed pieces to fill in any holes or gaps.
  • Cover and bake for an hour and 15 minutes.
  • With 15 minutes remaining, remove the lid, allowing the bacon to crisp up.
  • Once done, remove from oven and allow to rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

This can be mixed right in the Dutch oven.

Slow Cooker Directions:

Heat the Dutch Oven or skillet and softly cook the the bacon; don’t make it overly crispy. Place on a paper-towel lined plate to absorb excess renderings.
Form the meatloaf. Spray the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray. For the meatloaf and place it in the slow cooker. Layer the bacon atop. 
Replace the slow cooker lid and cook on low for 5-6 hours. 

Nutrition

Calories: 675kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 56g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 188mg | Sodium: 922mg | Potassium: 589mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 176IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 3mg

Dutch Oven Daddy is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Did you try this recipe?Leave me a comment and rating below or Tag @DutchOvenDaddy on Instagram to show us your photos!

This post has been updated from its original May 16, 2017 publishing with new content, photography, and clarified recipe card.

26 replies
  1. Alicia
    Alicia says:

    Made this tonight at the lake cabin. It was delicious! Used hot sausage, and forgot to add the bread crumbs. Was a tiny big crumbly, but not extremely so.

    Reply
  2. Quynh
    Quynh says:

    5 stars
    We make meatloaf regularly in our household. We decided to go with this recipe tonight, and it was so juicy and delicious! My daughter loved it and asked for seconds!

    Reply
  3. Ieva
    Ieva says:

    5 stars
    We hardly ever make meatloaf in our house, but I am so glad I tried this recipe. Super delicious, not crumbly and the seasoning and saltiness that bacon adds is simply scrumptious!

    Reply
  4. Kim
    Kim says:

    5 stars
    I’ve seen this done on a grill, but never in a dutch oven. It looks so good! I’ve always wanted to try meatloaf wrapped in bacon.

    Reply
  5. Stephanie
    Stephanie says:

    5 stars
    This bacon meatloaf is one of those dishes you just want to dive into and eat your way out of! Wrapping in bacon is such a great idea as the juices keep everything moist and add such an inviting top to the entrée.

    Reply
  6. Shadi Hasanzadenemati
    Shadi Hasanzadenemati says:

    5 stars
    Thank you for sharing this incredible Dutch Oven Peppered Bacon Meatloaf recipe. It has become a family favorite in my household, and I can’t wait to make it again and again. If you’re a meatloaf enthusiast or simply looking for a show-stopping dish with unbeatable flavors, this recipe is an absolute must-try. Prepare to be blown away!

    Reply

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