Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf: The Ultimate Comfort Food Upgrade

Let's be honest, meatloaf can sometimes get a bad rap. It conjures images of dry, dense bricks from a not-so-glorious past. But I'm here to tell you that it doesn't have to be that way. In fact, with one simple, glorious ingredient, you can transform this humble classic into a show-stopping centerpiece. That ingredient? Bacon. This bacon-wrapped meatloaf is juicy, packed with flavor, and wrapped in a crispy, savory blanket that makes it utterly irresistible.

The Magic of the Bacon Weave

The most fun part of this whole process is creating the bacon cradle. Don't be intimidated! Laying the strips of bacon across a rack in your baking dish might feel a bit architectural, but it’s surprisingly simple. You're essentially building a basket that will hold your meatloaf, and trust me, the final reveal—pulling a gorgeous, bacon-clad loaf out of the oven—is worth every second of the setup.

A Symphony of Flavors and Textures

What makes this recipe so special is what happens inside and on top. The base is a perfectly seasoned mix, but the real star is the sweet and tangy glaze. Brushed over the top before baking, it caramelizes and seeps into the meat, creating an incredible crust. Once it's baked and rested (the hardest ten minutes of your life, I promise), you slice into it to reveal:

• The Smell: The smoky aroma of crisp bacon that fills your kitchen is pure happiness.
• The Sight: A beautiful cross-section of juicy, tender meatloaf encased in a perfectly cooked bacon lattice.
• The Sound: The gentle crackle of the bacon crust as your knife goes through it.
• The Taste & Feel: An incredible combination of savory, sweet, and smoky flavors with contrasting textures in every single bite.

Let's Make It!

Ready to give your classic meatloaf a major upgrade? Here's how we bring this masterpiece together:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium-low heat; cook the onion until soft but not brown, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Place a rack on or in a large, glass baking dish. Alternating slightly, lay the strips of bacon across the rack, one end in the middle and allowing the other end to hang over the side of the dish. Set aside.
4. In a small bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of the tomato paste with the water, apple cider vinegar, honey, prepared mustard and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Set aside.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining ingredients with the onion/garlic mixture and the remaining tomato paste and gently but thoroughly mix with your hands. Form into a loaf directly on top of the bacon, leaving enough of the bacon