I stumbled upon this casserole one rainy Sunday afternoon when my neighbor’s grandkids were over playing Uno in my living room. My neighbor, an old schoolmate and one-time cooking-club buddy, had teased that he missed my meatloaf.
I decided to invent something playful for them—layered like a grilled cheese but packed with bacon and burger. It’s Smoky Bourbon BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf Cupcakes With Mashed Potato Frosting.
As I cracked jokes with the kids between rounds of Uno, the buttery aroma of browning onions and beef reminded me of teaching family-style lunches back in my classroom days.
That afternoon grew into an impromptu potluck at my kitchen table, everyone laughing with cheesy sandwiches in hand. Since then, this layered casserole has become a favorite—comforting, generous, yet surprisingly fuss‑free.
Short Description
A hearty, nostalgic casserole that combines seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, creamy sauces, and melted cheese layered between golden bread slices—simple yet indulgent comfort food.
Key Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced
- ½ cup real bacon bits
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 12 slices bread
- ½ cup margarine
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar blend
Tools Needed
- Large frying pan
- 9×13‑inch baking dish
- Mixing bowls
- Spatula
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Beef Mixture
In a large skillet over medium‑high heat, crumble and brown 1 lb ground beef. Add diced onions and cook until soft—about 3–4 minutes.
Drain excess fat. Remove from heat and stir in bacon bits, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, salt, pepper, and onion powder.
Step 2: Assemble the Bottom Layer
Preheat oven to 400 °F. Spread ½ cup margarine on 6 slices of bread, cut each in half. Place them margarine‑side down in a greased 9×13 pan. Sprinkle evenly with 2 cups shredded cheese.
Step 3: Add Meat and Cheese
Evenly spoon meat mixture over cheese. Top with remaining 2 cups shredded cheese.
Step 4: Top Layer of Bread
Butter the remaining 6 slices on one side, cut in half and place margarine‑side up over cheese.
Step 5: Bake
Bake in preheated oven for 20–24 minutes, until top bread is golden and cheese melts. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavor Explosion: Classic cheeseburger, smoky bacon, creamy mayo and cheese, all in one hearty bite.
Crowd-Pleaser: Nostalgic, cheesy, and filling—ideal for potlucks or weeknight dinners.
Simple to Make: Minimal ingredients, no fancy techniques, just layering comfort.
Versatile: Easily customizable—swap bread types or cheeses to suit your taste.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Dry Meat Filling: If meat looks dry after cooking, stir in a tablespoon or two of beef broth or just a bit of ketchup before layering.
Soggy Bread: Spread butter/margarine evenly on each slice to prevent sogginess and ensure golden top layer.
Cold Layers: Allow ingredients to sit at room temperature briefly before baking so filling heats through uniformly.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve in thick squares, piled on plates.
Pair with crisp pickles, coleslaw, or a simple green salad to offset richness.
Ideal for buffet-style serving or hearty plated meals.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Warm individual portions in microwave or reheat in a preheated oven (350 °F for about 10 minutes) until heated through and cheese bubbles.
FAQs
1. Why use margarine instead of butter?
Margarine spreads more easily and helps bread brown evenly—but you can substitute unsalted butter for richer flavor.
2. Can I prepare it ahead?
Yes, assemble the casserole and refrigerate up to 2 hours before baking. Bring to room temp before baking.
3. Can I freeze it?
Freeze in a sealed container for up to one month. Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.
4. Can I make it gluten-free?
Use gluten‑free bread and breadcrumbs. Check that bacon bits and other condiments are GF too.
5. How do I reduce sodium or fat?
Choose leaner beef (90/10), low-fat cheese, and lower-sodium bacon; or reduce bacon bits by half.
Tips & Tricks
Use day‑old bread—it holds up better to layering without getting soggy.
Toast bread lightly before layering for extra crunch.
Stir meat mixture cold to keep consistency even across all cups.
Recipe Variations
Tex‑Mex Twist: Add taco seasoning to beef, use pepper jack cheese, top with diced jalapeños and sour cream swirl.
Veggie Version: Swap half the beef for cooked chopped mushrooms or grated zucchini; still delicious and moist.
Cheese Lover’s: Add slices of provolone or gouda between meat and cheese layers for melty luxury.
Final Thoughts
After serving this casserole at that impromptu Uno‑game gathering, my living room buzzed with laughter and requests for seconds. Baking it now brings back memories of neighbors gathered and kids daring each other to try extra cheese. It’s playful comfort food dressed up for grown-ups too, with smoky bacon and rich melted cheese in every bite.
I feel proud to carry forward a recipe that bridges my teaching days, potluck lunches, and cozy Sunday afternoons. Making this always feels like sharing a hearty hug around the table—warm, satisfying, and full of familiar flavors.
Smoky Bourbon BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf Cupcakes With Mashed Potato Frosting
Print ThisIngredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced
- ½ cup real bacon bits
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp mustard
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 12 slices bread
- ½ cup margarine
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar blend
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Beef Mixture
Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions; cook 3–4 minutes. Drain fat. Stir in bacon bits, mayo, ketchup, mustard, salt, pepper, and onion powder.
Step 2: Assemble Bottom Layer
Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread margarine on 6 bread slices, cut in half, and place margarine-side down in greased 9×13 pan. Sprinkle with 2 cups shredded cheese.
Step 3: Add Meat and Cheese
Spread meat mixture over cheese layer. Top with remaining 2 cups of cheese.
Step 4: Top with Bread
Butter remaining 6 slices, cut in half, and place margarine-side up over cheese.
Step 5: Bake
Bake 20–24 minutes until golden and bubbly. Rest 5 minutes before serving.
