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Bacon Mushroom Meatloaf Swiss

Featured in Cozy & Satisfying Recipes.

This juicy meatloaf combines tender beef with soaked breadcrumbs, milk, and herbs. Flavored with savory mushrooms, crispy bacon, and melted Swiss cheese, it's a dish you'll want on your dinner table. Bake until golden, then layer with toppings for unbeatable flavor. Pair it with sides like roasted veggies or creamy mashed potatoes. Let it cool for a bit before cutting so it stays juicy.

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Alina Smith
Updated on Sat, 19 Apr 2025 15:08:29 GMT
A plate with crispy bacon and mushrooms. Pin it
A plate with crispy bacon and mushrooms. | recipesroost.com

This filling bacon, mushroom, and Swiss cheese meatloaf puts a fresh spin on an old-time favorite with tasty flavor layers that'll please everyone at your family table. The mix of gooey Swiss cheese, crunchy bacon bits, and rich mushrooms turns an everyday dish into something you'll crave again and again.

I came up with this dish while trying to make both my mushroom-crazy husband and cheese-loving kids happy. What began as a middle-ground option has turned into our most asked-for Sunday meal, particularly when it's cold outside and we want something warm and filling.

Ingredients

  • Ground beef: Pick an 80/20 mix for just the right fat amount that keeps everything moist and well-shaped
  • Breadcrumbs: When mixed with milk they form a panade that makes your meatloaf super tender
  • Mushrooms: They bring earthy flavor and extra moisture while working great with the beef
  • Swiss cheese: Offers a subtle nutty taste that melts perfectly and plays well with other flavors
  • Bacon: Gives that smoky crunch and amazing flavor that can make anything taste better
  • Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard: They boost the meaty taste without being too noticeable

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Panade:
Mix your breadcrumbs and milk in a bowl and let them sit for 5 minutes. This key step creates moisture pockets throughout your meatloaf. The breadcrumbs soak up the milk, which keeps everything juicy as it cooks.
Mix the Meatloaf:
Put your ground beef in a big bowl with the milk-soaked breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, chopped mushrooms, and spices. Use your hands to mix it all together gently. Don't overmix or you'll end up with tough meat – just blend until everything's combined.
Shape and Bake:
Put your meat mixture in a baking dish and form it into a loaf about 2 inches tall and 5 inches wide. Leave room around the edges so fat can cook away from the meat. Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes until it reaches 155°F inside.
Create the Topping:
While your meatloaf cooks, fry your bacon in a pan over medium heat for about 8 minutes until crispy. Take the bacon out and cook your sliced mushrooms in the same bacon fat until they get golden brown, around 5 minutes. The mushrooms will soak up all that yummy bacon flavor.
Add the Cheese Layer:
Take your partly cooked meatloaf out of the oven and drain off extra fat if needed. Lay Swiss cheese slices across the top, overlapping them so they cover everything. The hot meatloaf will start melting the cheese right away.
Top and Finish:
Put your cooked mushrooms on the melty cheese, then sprinkle your bacon pieces on top. Stick it back in the oven for 10 more minutes until the cheese gets all bubbly. This gives you an amazing savory top layer that's packed with flavor.
Rest and Serve:
Let your meatloaf sit for 10 minutes before cutting it. This waiting time lets all the juices spread back through the meat, so each slice stays moist and doesn't fall apart when you serve it.
A white plate with a casserole dish on it. Pin it
A white plate with a casserole dish on it. | recipesroost.com

I once doubled the mushrooms by mistake when making this dish, but my family loved the stronger earthy taste so much that it became our standard way of making it. Some of my best kitchen discoveries have come from happy mistakes, and this meatloaf taught me to go with the flow when cooking.

Make Ahead Options

This dish works great for planning ahead. You can mix and shape your meatloaf up to a day before cooking and store it covered in your fridge. Just let it warm up on the counter for about 20 minutes before baking so it cooks evenly. You can even freeze the raw meatloaf for up to three months if you want. Just make sure to thaw it completely in your fridge overnight before cooking it as normal.

A plate of food with mushrooms and bacon. Pin it
A plate of food with mushrooms and bacon. | recipesroost.com

Perfect Pairings

Regular mashed potatoes work great with this, but it also tastes amazing with roasted garlic cauliflower mash if you want fewer carbs. To make it a full meal, add some roasted Brussels sprouts or a simple green salad with balsamic dressing. The tangy dressing cuts through the rich meatloaf really well.

Troubleshooting Tips

If your meatloaf crumbles when you try to slice it, let it cool a bit longer. A warm but not hot meatloaf will stay together better when cut. If you see the top getting too brown during the first part of baking, just cover it loosely with foil until it's time to add the cheese. Want a firmer texture? Just use 1/4 cup less milk in the breadcrumb mixture.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How can I make sure it's not dry?

Choose ground beef with some fat (80/20 works great) and mix gently. Using milk-soaked breadcrumbs also locks in moisture.

→ What can I use instead of Swiss cheese?

If Swiss isn't available, try Monterey Jack, provolone, or mozzarella for a similar creamy texture.

→ Which mushrooms are best for this dish?

Cremini and button mushrooms work beautifully, but portobello or shiitake add deeper flavor options.

→ Can I prepare it a day before?

Sure! Keep the mix in the fridge overnight and bake it fresh before serving so it tastes its best.

→ What sides taste great with this?

Go with classics like mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or a fresh green salad for a complete plate.

Bacon Mushroom Meatloaf

Delicious meatloaf with creamy Swiss cheese, mushrooms, and crispy bacon for a comforting dish.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
55 Minutes
Total Time
75 Minutes

Category: Comfort Food

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ For the Meatloaf

01 1 egg, large
02 1 ½ pounds ground beef (use an 80/20 blend to keep it moist)
03 1 small onion, diced finely
04 2 minced garlic cloves
05 1 cup breadcrumbs (use panko or plain)
06 ½ cup mushrooms, chopped small (button or cremini)
07 1 cup milk
08 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
10 ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
11 1 teaspoon salt
12 1 teaspoon dried parsley (or a tablespoon of fresh parsley)

→ For the Topping

13 4-5 bacon strips, cooked crisp and crumbled
14 Fresh parsley, roughly chopped (to sprinkle on top)
15 6-8 slices of Swiss cheese
16 ½ cup cooked mushrooms

Instructions

Step 01

Get your oven warmed to 350°F (175°C). In a small dish, combine the breadcrumbs and milk and let them sit for a few minutes to soak up the liquid. In a big mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, milk-soaked breadcrumbs, egg, diced onion, garlic, mushrooms, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, black pepper, and parsley. Use your hands or a big spoon to gently mix it all together—don’t overdo it, or the meatloaf will turn out tough.

Step 02

Take a greased or lined baking pan and shape the meat mixture into a loaf. Place it in the oven and bake for about 40 to 45 minutes. The inside temperature should reach 160°F (71°C) before it’s done.

Step 03

While the loaf is in the oven, get your bacon nice and crispy in a pan. Once done, let it cool on a paper towel and crumble it. Use the leftover bacon grease in the skillet to sauté the mushrooms until they’re soft and slightly browned. Keep the toppings aside for later.

Step 04

Take the meatloaf out of the oven when it’s nearly done. Cover the top with the cheese slices first, then spread the sautéed mushrooms and bacon crumbles over the cheese. Slide it back into the oven for about 10 minutes, just until the cheese looks melted and gooey.

Step 05

Once the cheese topping is ready, let the meatloaf cool down for about 5-10 minutes before slicing it. Scatter some chopped parsley over the top, then plate it up alongside mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or even a salad.

Notes

  1. Soaking breadcrumbs in milk keeps the meatloaf juicy and prevents it from coming out dry.

Tools You'll Need

  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking pan
  • Spoon or spatula
  • Frying pan

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes eggs, dairy, milk, and gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 450
  • Total Fat: 28 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 27 g
  • Protein: 30 g