A delicious and spicy meatloaf skillet topped with three types of cheese and a firecracker glaze.
Author:Lorenzo Bonucci
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:45 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 5 minutes
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Main Dish
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
2 lb ground beef
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 large eggs
1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
½ cup milk
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup ketchup
¼ cup hot sauce
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp cayenne pepper, optional
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (topping)
½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (topping)
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (topping)
2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (topping)
2 green onions, sliced (garnish)
Instructions
Preheat the oven: Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a large oven-safe skillet, preferably 10–12 inches.
Make the meatloaf mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, cooked bacon, onion, garlic, eggs, breadcrumbs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
Add the cheese: Fold in the cheddar, Monterey Jack, and mozzarella until evenly distributed.
Shape in the skillet: Transfer the mixture to the prepared skillet and gently press it into an even loaf shape.
Make the glaze: Whisk together ketchup, hot sauce, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne.
Glaze: Spread about half of the firecracker glaze over the top of the meatloaf.
Bake: Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
Add more glaze: Remove from the oven and brush with the remaining glaze.
Add the cheese topping: Sprinkle the cheddar, Monterey Jack, and mozzarella over the meatloaf. Top with crumbled bacon.
Finish baking: Return to the oven and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until the center reaches 160°F and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Broil: For an extra golden cheese topping, broil for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully.
Rest: Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with green onions and serve with extra firecracker sauce.
Notes
Use 80/20 ground beef for a juicy, flavorful meatloaf.
Cook the bacon before adding it to the mixture so it stays flavorful and crisp.
For a milder version, reduce the hot sauce and skip the cayenne.
Don’t overmix the meat or the meatloaf can become dense.
Serve with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad.