My Man's Cheesy Smoked Meatloaf

Had to in some way invent a meatloaf with absolutely no ketchup or tomatoes. My fiance absolutely loves cheese, so I embellished and also took from other recipes here and there. Trying this, I believe you will love it. It has been a success. Good with red wine and twice-baked potatoes for homecooked TLC.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 14 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 44 mins
• Calories: 486 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• ½ cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1 red onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, or as needed
• 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste (Optional)
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
• ¾ cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded smoked mozzarella cheese
• 4 slices hardwood smoked bacon
• 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard, divided
• 1 ½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, divided
• 1 (8 ounce) package crumbled aged feta cheese

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Mix ground beef, red onion, bread crumbs, eggs, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl. Divide mixture in half. Press half of the mixture in the bottom of a loaf pan.

Step 3

Run 2 fingers lengthwise down the center of the beef mixture. Fill hollowed space with mozzarella cheese. Mold remaining beef mixture around cheese, pressing down firmly.

Step 4

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook bacon slices until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Arrange bacon slices over beef mixture.

Step 5

Cook and stir 3/4 teaspoon mustard and 3/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce in the bacon grease in the skillet for 1 minute. Add bell pepper; cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Spread bell pepper over bacon.

Step 6

Place remaining mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and mushrooms in the skillet; cook and stir until soft, about 5 minutes. Spread evenly over bell pepper. Scatter feta cheese over mushrooms.

Step 7

Cover loaf pan with aluminum foil; place on top of a baking sheet.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the beef reads at least 160 degrees F (71 degrees C), 60 to 90 minutes.