Ingredients

Meatloaf

1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground pork
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 small onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 large eggs
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
10-12 slices thick-cut bacon

Cranberry Glaze

1 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp Dijon mustard

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.
Make the meatloaf mixture:
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, milk, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix just until combined—don’t overmix.
Shape the loaf:
Form the mixture into a loaf on the wire rack.
Wrap with bacon:
Layer the bacon slices over the top and sides, tucking the ends underneath.
Mix the cranberry glaze:
Stir together cranberry sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and Dijon until smooth.

Brush glaze over the loaf:
Coat the top and sides generously.
Bake for 45 minutes, brush with more glaze, then bake another 20–25 minutes until the bacon is crisp and internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
Rest 10 minutes before slicing.
Brush with additional glaze if desired.

Notes

Pro Tips for Best Results

1. Use a Rack to Keep the Bacon Crisp

Place the meatloaf on a wire rack over a baking sheet. This allows fat to drip away and helps the bacon crisp evenly all around.

2. Don’t Overmix the Meat

Mix just until combined. Overworking the meat results in a dense, tough meatloaf instead of tender and juicy slices.

3. Let It Rest Before Slicing

A 10-minute rest keeps the juices inside the loaf, preventing crumbling and helping cleaner, more picture-perfect slices.

4. Partially Cook the Bacon (Optional)

If using very thick-cut bacon, lightly par-cook it for 5–7 minutes before wrapping. This ensures it gets perfectly crisp by the time the meatloaf is done.

5. Use Cold Hands for Mixing

Rinsing your hands in cold water before mixing helps avoid warming the meat, which keeps it tender and improves texture.

6. Customize the Glaze Sweetness

Taste the cranberry glaze beforehand. Add more brown sugar for sweetness or more vinegar for brightness.

7. Add Moisture with Milk or Broth

If you want a softer, more tender meatloaf, add 1–2 extra tablespoons of milk or beef broth.

Author: Emma
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 520
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 780mg
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 32g