Name: Dutch Oven Peppered Bacon Meatloaf
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 110 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs ground beef (I used 85%); 1 lb ground Italian sausage (I used mild); 2 eggs; 1 cup yellow onion (diced); ⅓ 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

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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.

Bacon Blue Cheese Mashed Potatoes from The Complete Savorist
Cast Iron Cheesy Hassleback Potatoes
Dutch Oven Potatoes
Dutch Oven Baked Potatoes
Yukon Gold Buttermilk Thyme Mashed Potatoes from The Complete Savorist
Scalloped Potato Gratin
Buttered Asparagus and Spring Peas

Easy Vegetable Side Dish Recipes

Dutch Oven Honey Glazed Carrots in a green serving bowl garnished with fresh thyme.

Dutch Oven Honey Glazed Carrots
Parmesan Zucchini Chips
Slow Cooker Milk and Honey Corn on the Cob from The Magical Slow Cooker
Steamed Dutch Oven Asparagus
Bacon Bleu Cranberry Brussels Sprouts from The Complete Savorist
Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli from The Complete Savorist

Slow cooker crock full of cheesy creamy corn with slices for fresh jalapeño.

Slow Cooker Cheesy Jalapeño Corn from The Magical Slow Cooker
Maple Thyme Roasted Carrots from The Complete Savorist
Steamed Corn on the Cob
Sautéed Spinach from The Complete Savorist
Tangy-Sweet Green Beans from The Complete Savorist

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.

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