Wave goodbye to dry dinners with this Traeger smoked bacon-wrapped meatloaf! It’s the perfect combination of smokiness, spiciness, and sweetness, making it a winning meal for the entire family. Plus, the mixture of bacon, cheese, and ground meat means it’s an incredibly hearty dish that’ll have you leaping up for seconds.

The bacon does a great job of keeping the meatloaf moist while it smokes away on the Traeger. But it’s the sweet and tangy glaze of BBQ sauce that dials things up several notches! Requiring just a bit of prep work, it’s easy to see why it’s one of my go-to weeknight meals.

I love serving this Traeger smoked meatloaf with a crispy baked potato or a bunch of air fryer broccoli. But virtually anything goes when dinner is this delicious!

💪 Why This Recipe Works

Meatloaf is a beautiful dish that pairs perfectly with so many items. Try it alongside some smoked bacon-wrapped asparagus, Traeger smoked au gratin potatoes or these air fryer cherry tomatoes. You really can’t go wrong with this hearty dish. And there is just so much going for it. Here are some reasons why this smoked meatloaf is one of my all-time favorite home-cooked comfort meals.

• It’s packed with protein and gets a gloriously smoky flavor from the pellet grill and BBQ sauce.
  
• It requires just a handful of ingredients, many of which are pantry staples!
  
• The thin-cut bacon gives the dish an excellent crackly top that works so well with the moist ground meat.
  
• You can prepare the meatloaf ahead of time and pop it onto the pellet grill before guests arrive.
  
• It cooks low and slow for a flavorful result (and hey, it’s excellent for multi-tasking!).

 🍽 Ingredients

• Sharp cheddar cheese. This should melt into the meat for a gloriously cheesy taste. I recommend using blocks instead of pre-sliced or grated cheese to ensure it melts properly. For a hint of spice, try pepper jack.
  
• Onion. To create that sumptuous aromatic and savory base! White or yellow onion work equally well.
  
• Worcestershire sauce. This slightly acidic and tart sauce gives the meatloaf an umami flavor that adds depth.
  
• Kansas City BBQ sauce. I love this sauce as it’s the perfect balance of smoky and sweet. But feel free to use any BBQ sauce you have on hand!
  
• Eggs. For binding the ingredients.
  
• Dry onion soup mix. Any brand works. You just want something that adds tons of savory flavor!
  
• Garlic powder. A flavor enhancer to step up your meatloaf game.
  
• Smoked paprika. Adds spice and color to the meatloaf. It also has a great smoky profile that pairs perfectly with the smoke from the Traeger.
  
• Saltine crackers. Binds the meat and helps retain moisture while the meatloaf cooks.
  
• Ground beef. I recommend using 85/15 high-fat ground beef and not low-fat versions. It’s more likely to hold its shape during cooking and won’t dry out.
  
• Ground pork sausage. You can use regular sausage or something spicier if you like a kick.
  
• Thin-cut bacon. Adds the perfect level of saltiness to the meatloaf. I like using thin-cut bacon as the fat will render down nicely while smoking on the pellet grill.

👨‍ How To Make It

1. Preheat the Traeger or pellet grill and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
   
2. Cut the cheese into small cubes.
   
3. Grate the onion and put it into a large mixing bowl.
   
4. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, BBQ sauce, eggs, onion soup mix, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
   
5. Stir in the cracker crumbs and let the mixture soak.
   
6. Mix in the ground beef and pork sausage.
   
7. Put the meat on the baking sheet and shape it into a loaf.
   
8. Top with slices of bacon.
   
9. Brush BBQ sauce over the top and put it on the grill.
   
10. Smoke the meatloaf and baste it with BBQ sauce once more during the cooking process.
    
11. Remove the smoked bacon-wrapped meatloaf from the Traeger and enjoy!

😉 Expert Tips

• Be careful not to overmix. Although it can be tempting to mix your meatloaf until it’s smooth, you don’t want to go overboard. Otherwise, your meat won’t be tender. Just mix it until the ingredients are combined.
  
• If you want to minimize clean-up, you can line your pan with foil. Then you can easily toss the foil after cooking.
  
• Use a food thermometer for accurate internal readings. There’s nothing worse than taking meatloaf off the grill before it’s fully cooked! Check the doneness of your loaf by sticking the thermometer into the center.
  
• Don’t forget to brush the tops AND sides of your meatloaf with BBQ sauce. Most people remember to brush the tops, but covering the sides gives the entire loaf a gorgeous caramelization.
  
• Don’t overcook the meatloaf. I’m a sucker for food safety, but I’ll usually pull it out right as it hits the correct internal temperature. This stops it from going dry!
  
• Try a tiny trial portion on the cooker. It sounds weird, but frying off just a tiny amount of your meat mixture will let you see whether you have the spice balance right before cooking the entire loaf.
  
• Let it rest for a while before slicing it. This will minimize any moisture loss and will make the meatloaf easier to cut.
  
• Feel free to put it in the fridge before cooking. This is useful if you don’t have much time before guests arrive. But the cooler temperature also stops the meat from falling apart when you handle it.

❓ FAQ

🤔 Variations and Substitutions

Ground turkey – replace the ground beef and pork with ground turkey. If your goal is to keep it lean, you can use ground turkey breast which is very low in fat, but the meatloaf won’t be as flavorful. I like to replace the ground beef with ground turkey breast and replace the ground pork sausage with ground turkey thighs or drumsticks.

Breadcrumbs – replace the crushed saltine crackers with Panko breadcrumbs or homemade breadcrumbs. For a gluten-free option, you can use quick-cook oats.

🥡 Storage and Reheating

You can store the meatloaf in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

You can reheat the meatloaf in the air fryer. I like to slice the meatloaf into portions before throwing it in the air fryer so it heats evenly. Reheat the meatloaf in the air fryer at 360°F for about 6-8 minutes.

 🛠 Tools and Equipment

If you click on some of the following affiliate links and buy something, we might get a small commission. You don’t pay any extra, but it will help us keep the lights on and our bellies full!

• This Traeger Timberline 1300 is my go-to pellet smoker. I usually for these Traeger signature blend pellets.
  
• These USA Pan quarter sheet pans are perfect for meatloaf. They are just the right size and don’t take up too much room on the Traeger.
  
• A John Boos butcher block is perfect for prepping your meals. Use it to rest your steak or meatloaf and slice it up before serving.
  
• You need a good knife, and this Shun chef’s knife is the perfect addition to your arsenal! It holds its edge well through all of your slicing and dicing.

🤤 Don’t Sleep On These Recipes!

There is so much that goes well with smoked meatloaf.

I love these air fryer green beans with bacon. They really help to balance the heartiness of the meatloaf.

You should also add these grilled potato wedges to your rotation! They are perfect for those days spent outside on the patio with the BBQ.

Air fryer cauliflower is also a welcome addition to smoked meatloaf. They are packed full of flavor from the seasoning and cooked perfectly in the air fryer.

🎁 Wrap Up

Whether you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing weeknight staple or a glorious centerpiece for a dinner party, this smoked bacon-wrapped meatloaf is a winner. Packed with savory flavors and perfect for leftovers, it’s a family favorite that the whole brood will enjoy!

💬 Tell Me What You Think!

Did you try out this recipe? Please leave a comment below and let me know how you liked it. Also, snap a picture and post it to your favorite social platform. Be sure to tag me at @alicensetogrill and let me know how you liked it!

CONNECT WITH A LICENSE TO GRILL!

Be sure to follow us on our social media accounts.

Did you make this recipe? Tell us about it in the comments below!