Why You’ll Love this Swiss & Bacon Meatloaf
If you’re searching for a meatloaf recipe that breaks the boring dinner mold, this Swiss & Bacon Meatloaf will absolutely rock your weeknight menu rotation. I’m talking about a flavor explosion with hickory smoked pepper bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and melty Swiss cheese all packed into one glorious loaf.
What makes this version special? The combination of savory bacon and nutty Swiss cheese creates a depth of flavor you simply can’t get from traditional meatloaf. The garlic-flavored croutons add perfect texture, while the teriyaki sauce brings a subtle sweetness that balances everything beautifully.
Trust me, the aroma that fills your kitchen while this bakes is almost criminal. Ready to transform ordinary ground beef into something your family will request again and again?
What Ingredients are in Swiss & Bacon Meatloaf?
This Swiss and Bacon Meatloaf combines savory bacon, aromatic onions, earthy mushrooms, and rich Swiss cheese to create a flavorful twist on traditional meatloaf. The combination might sound fancy, but it’s actually quite simple to put together with ingredients you can find at any grocery store. And trust me, the flavor combination is absolutely worth gathering all these components.
- 1½ pounds lean ground beef
- 12 ounces hickory smoked pepper bacon, diced
- 1 medium Vidalia onion, diced
- 1 whole fresh egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon teriyaki sauce
- ¼ cup evaporated milk
- 5 large button mushrooms, chopped
- 8 ounces Swiss cheese, shredded
- ½ cup garlic-flavored croutons
When shopping for these ingredients, quality matters. Try to find lean ground beef that’s around 85-90% lean for the best texture and flavor without excess grease. For the bacon, regular bacon will work if you can’t find hickory smoked pepper bacon, but the smokiness really adds depth to the final dish. And while pre-shredded Swiss cheese works perfectly fine, shredding your own from a block often results in better melting. Can’t find garlic croutons? Regular ones work too—just add an extra clove of minced garlic to compensate.
How to Make this Swiss & Bacon Meatloaf
To start this mouthwatering meatloaf, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a medium-sized skillet and fry up those 12 ounces of diced raw hickory smoked pepper bacon until they’re perfectly crisp and golden brown. Who doesn’t love the smell of bacon sizzling in the morning? Or afternoon. Or whenever you’re making this delicious dish, really. Once your bacon has reached that ideal crispiness, transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to drain some of that excess grease.
Now here’s where the magic happens—don’t throw out that bacon grease! Use it to sauté your 1 medium-sized diced Vidalia onion and 5 large chopped button mushrooms until they’re nice and tender. The bacon fat infuses these veggies with incredible flavor, something you just can’t replicate with regular cooking oil.
While those are cooking, take a large mixing bowl and combine your 1½ pounds of lean ground beef, 1 whole fresh egg, 1 teaspoon of garlic salt, 1 teaspoon of teriyaki sauce, and ¼ cup of evaporated milk. Gently fold in your cooked bacon, sautéed mushrooms and onions, 8 ounces of shredded Swiss cheese, and ½ cup of garlic-flavored croutons. Mix everything until just combined—overmixing can make your meatloaf tough, and nobody wants that.
Transfer this mixture to a loaf pan, shaping it into a traditional loaf form. You could also form it by hand on a baking sheet if you prefer more of those delicious crusty edges. For best results, consider using a high-quality stainless steel cookware set that provides even heat distribution throughout the baking process. Pop it into your preheated oven and bake for about 45-55 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. The Swiss cheese will create these amazing pockets of gooey goodness throughout the meatloaf, while the bacon adds smoky depth and a hint of saltiness. Let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing—this helps the juices redistribute and makes for neater slices. Serve it up with your favorite sides and watch as everyone asks for seconds!
Swiss & Bacon Meatloaf Substitutions and Variations
While this classic Swiss and bacon meatloaf recipe is absolutely divine as written, you can easily customize it to suit your dietary needs or what’s available in your pantry.
Don’t have Swiss cheese? Gruyère or provolone make excellent substitutions, adding their own unique flavor profiles. Ground turkey can replace beef for a leaner option, though you might want to add a tablespoon of olive oil to maintain moisture. No button mushrooms? Cremini or portobello work beautifully, offering a deeper, earthier taste.
For a low-carb version, swap the croutons with crushed pork rinds or almond flour. And if you’re out of hickory smoked pepper bacon, regular bacon works fine—just add a dash of liquid smoke and some cracked pepper to achieve that signature flavor. The versatility here is what makes this comfort food so adaptable to any kitchen situation.
What to Serve with Swiss & Bacon Meatloaf
Now that you’ve mastered the perfect Swiss and bacon meatloaf (or perhaps put your own spin on it), let’s talk about what to serve alongside this savory masterpiece. I’m a firm believer that classic comfort foods deserve equally comforting sides.
Creamy mashed potatoes are my go-to choice, providing the perfect canvas for that delicious meatloaf gravy. Roasted vegetables—like carrots, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus—add color and nutritional balance to your plate. Can you imagine a more perfect bite?
For something lighter, consider a crisp garden salad with vinaigrette or steamed green beans tossed with a bit of butter and toasted almonds. Garlic bread or dinner rolls round out the meal nicely, perfect for sopping up any remaining sauce. Trust me, no one leaves the table hungry with this combination.
Final Thoughts
Why do some recipes become instant family favorites while others get forgotten? I think it’s the perfect balance of flavor, nostalgia, and that special something that makes everyone ask for seconds. This Swiss & Bacon Meatloaf hits all those marks with its savory combination of hickory smoked pepper bacon, tender mushrooms, and melty Swiss cheese.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its thoughtful details—using the bacon grease to sauté the onions and mushrooms, incorporating garlic-flavored croutons for texture, and that hint of teriyaki sauce that adds unexpected depth. It’s comfort food elevated without being pretentious. You can adapt it to your family’s preferences, maybe adding more mushrooms or experimenting with different cheeses. Trust me, this one’s going in your permanent recipe collection, not the forgotten pile.
