Bacon Mushroom Swiss Cheese Meatloaf
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup milk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
4 ounces Swiss cheese, sliced
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef and ground pork. Avoid overmixing, as this can result in a tough meatloaf.
3. Add the bread crumbs, milk, egg, onion, garlic, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper to the meat mixture. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
4. In a separate skillet, sauté the sliced mushrooms over medium heat until they are softened and have released their moisture. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
5. Once the mushrooms have cooled slightly, gently fold them into the meat mixture along with the crumbled bacon.
6. Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared loaf pan and shape it into a loaf.
7. Arrange the slices of Swiss cheese evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
8. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.
9. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful meatloaf. Serve and enjoy!