Cheeseburger Meatloaf

Each tender bite of this Cheeseburger Meatloaf is loaded with all of the classic burger toppings you love, including a hidden layer of melty Cheddar cheese! If you are craving the ultimate comfort food, this recipe you need to taste to believe!

What is it?

Cheeseburger meatloaf puts a little spin on a traditional meatloaf, with the classic Americana flavor of juicy cheeseburgers! This hearty meatloaf dinner is loaded with diced onion, pickles, ketchup, and mustard inside a tender cheese-stuffed meatloaf. That's right, this delicious recipe is stuffed with melted cheddar cheese!

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Ground beef - 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef is recommended. Don't use overly lean ground beef or your meatloaf will be dry. Ground chuck is perfect.
• Plain bread crumbs - Panko bread crumbs or crushed saltine crackers are a great substitute. However, you can make meatloaf without breadcrumbs too.
• Milk - Beef broth is a good substitute.
• Worcestershire sauce
• Large egg - In a pinch, you can make meatloaf without eggs.
• Table salt
• Ground black pepper
• Yellow onion - A sweet onion or red onion can be substituted.
• Dill pickles - Dill pickle relish can be substituted.
• Mild cheddar cheese - Sharp cheddar cheese is also great to use. Otherwise, you can substitute any of your favorites, like pepper jack cheese.
• Optional: You can add crumbled bacon pieces to make this an easy bacon cheeseburger meatloaf recipe too!
• Ketchup
• Yellow mustard - Dijon mustard can be substituted.

How to make it

This cheddar cheeseburger meatloaf recipe starts by mixing together the ketchup and mustard meatloaf glaze in a small bowl. Spread enough sauce onto the bottom of your bread pan to fully cover, then set the rest aside.

Next, we combine all of the meatloaf ingredients, along with ¼ cup of the sauce in a large mixing bowl. Spread half of the meatloaf mixture evenly onto the bottom of your bread pan.

Using two slices of cheddar cheese, set them along the center of the meatloaf mixture, keeping them one inch from the edges so the cheese doesn't ooze out as the meatloaf bakes.

Place the other half of the meat mixture into your bread pan to cover the cheese and press the edges to seal the cheese inside. Then spread the remaining mustard glaze over the top of the meatloaf.

Bake meatloaf at 350 degrees for 80 minutes, or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees. This allows the interior to slowly heat up without the exterior drying out or burning. Then place slices of cheese on top of the meatloaf and return to the oven for three additional minutes, to allow the cheese to melt.

Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let rest for five minutes. Then slice and serve.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Leftover cheeseburger meatloaf should be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to five days, for the best flavor. Leftover meatloaf slices should be gently reheated individually in a skillet over medium-low heat. You could microwave them instead for simplicity, but the cheese will likely separate and turn oily.

This recipe was originally published on March 5, 2018, here on FoxValleyFoodie.com.