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    Meals » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Cheesy BBQ Meatloaf Recipe

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Feb 16, 2022 by Dee

    Cheesy BBQ Meatloaf Recipe has barbecue sauce, Parmesan cheese and cheddar cheese for a flavorful meatloaf the whole family loves. This easy recipe is a family favorite that is perfect for an easy weeknight meal! via @meamel

    Cheesy BBQ Meatloaf Recipe has barbecue sauce, Parmesan cheese and cheddar cheese for a flavorful meatloaf the whole family loves. This easy recipe is a family favorite that is perfect for an easy weeknight meal!

    Jump to Recipe -
    slices of bbq meatloaf topped with bbq sauce and cheddar cheese on the table with peas
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Meatloaf with BBQ Sauce and Cheese
    • Cooking Time
    • Variations and Substitutions
    • What to Serve with
    • How to Store and Reheat
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    This kid friendly meatloaf is a nice change from classic meatloaf recipes. You add barbecue sauce instead of ketchup to the ground beef mixture, and you use a mix of Parmesan and cheddar cheese for extra flavor. If you're looking for a different meatloaf recipe, this one's for you!

    I started making this easy meatloaf because my kids weren't huge fans of the usual tomato sauce--topped beef loaves, like My Favorite Meatloaf recipe. They were also growing tired of Italian meatloaf muffins and my mom's Lipton onion soup meatloaf, which I grew up on and loved!

    So, this cheddar BBQ meatloaf is one of my family's favorite dinners. It combines a tangy barbecue flavor for the spice lovers with plenty of cheesy goodness for the cheese fanatics in the crowd.

    In short, this family favorite meatloaf recipe makes everyone happy -- for one night, at least!

    Ingredients

    You only need a few simple ingredients for this BBQ meatloaf recipe. You can find them in your grocery store or online:

    • Ground beef-- 80/20 ground chuck works best
    • Dried minced onions -- or raw onion, chopped
    • Garlic powder
    • Sea salt
    • Ground black pepper
    • Large eggs
    • Barbecue sauce -- any flavor
    • Dried breadcrumbs -- I use plain, but you can use seasoned
    • Parmesan cheese-- grated
    • Cheddar cheese-- shredded

    How to Make Meatloaf with BBQ Sauce and Cheese

    First, add the eggs to a large bowl, and beat slightly.

    Then, add your ground beef, BBQ sauce, seasonings, bread crumbs and grated Parmesan cheese to the large mixing bowl.

    For this meatloaf recipe, we're using BBQ sauce instead of the usual ketchup or tomato sauce. Use your favorite brand or a homemade barbecue sauce here.

    ground beef, bbq sauce, eggs, breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese in mixing bowl

    Now comes the fun and messy part. You get to mix the ground beef and everything else up with your hands!

    If you over mix the meat, it gets too tough. Nobody wants that, right?

    You just want to be able to form the meat into a loaf shape, so knead the meat mixture until it starts to come together.

    Then, form it into a loaf shape, and place it into a large casserole dish or baking dish. A loaf pan or baking sheet also works.

    mix bbq meatloaf ingredients with hands

    Cooking Time

    You bake this 2 pound meatloaf for 1 hour at 350 degrees. I always bake meatloaf uncovered, but if the top starts to get too brown, you can lightly cover it with aluminum foil.

    To be safe, use an instant read thermometer or meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature is at least 160 degrees.

    I like to add BBQ sauce for an easy meatloaf glaze about halfway through. Then, finish it off with plenty of shredded cheddar cheese on the top of the meatloaf, right before it's done.

    By the time this hearty meal is on the dinner table, it'll be all melty and perfect!

    bbq meatloaf with cheese on top

    Variations and Substitutions

    One of my favorite things about this classic dish is that there are a lot of options for customization!

    Using this exact recipe, you can make Cheddar BBQ Meatloaf Muffins. Just mold the ground beef into small sections and bake them in a muffin tin. It's a great option for giving a fun twist to this family favorite comfort food!

    Or, make this tasty meatloaf in the Instant Pot! Instant Pot Meatloaf with Cheddar BBQ Sauce is perhaps the easiest way to enjoy this cheesy BBQ meat loaf!

    Sweeten things up by adding a little honey to the BBQ sauce glaze for a yummy honey BBQ meatloaf. Another delicious option is brown sugar.

    If you want more of a liquid smoke flavor, throw in about a teaspoon chili powder or smoked paprika to the BBQ glaze, and sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top of the loaf.

    What to Serve with

    Wondering what to serve with cheesy meatloaf? We love mashed potatoes and green beans.

    You will also love these ideas for the best side dishes for meatloaf!

    How to Store and Reheat

    Store any leftover cheesy barbecue meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it'll last for 3 to 4 days.

    For longer storage, keep the leftover meatloaf in a freezer safe container in the freezer.

    Reheat meatloaf in the microwave. Or make a delicious meatloaf sandwich!

    Recipe

    cheesy bbq meatloaf slices with melted cheddar cheese on a white platter

    Cheesy BBQ Meatloaf Recipe

    Published by Dee
    Cheesy BBQ Meatloaf Recipe has barbecue sauce, Parmesan cheese and cheddar cheese for a flavorful meatloaf the whole family loves. This easy recipe is a family favorite that is perfect for an easy weeknight meal!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr
    Resting time 5 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 15 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10
    Calories 341 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 pounds ground beef 80/20 works best
    • 1 tablespoon dried minced onions
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 2 large eggs
    • 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
    • ½ cup dried breadcrumbs
    • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated

    Topping

    • ¼ cup BBQ sauce
    • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and spray baking dish with non stick cooking spray or line with foil for easier clean up
    • Add the eggs to a large mixing bowl, and beat slightly
    • In a small bowl, mix the dried onions, garlic powder, salt and pepper together, and sprinkle over beef
    • Add the ground beef, dried onions, garlic powder, salt, pepper BBQ sauce, bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese, and mix gently with hands until combined
    • Place in prepared casserole or baking dish, and form into loaf shape
    • Bake for 1 hour, or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees, according to meat thermometer. Add BBQ sauce to the top about halfway through cook time
    • Top with shredded cheddar cheese and allow to melt, then remover from oven, and serve

    Notes

    Use your favorite BBQ sauce here. 
    You can use Colby or American cheese in place of cheddar.
    Bake meatloaf uncovered, but you can cover with foil if it starts to get too brown.
     

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 341kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 21gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 565mgPotassium: 320mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 205IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 148mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    Recipe published in 2019 and updated in 2022

    sliced cheesy bbq meatloaf topped with barbecue sauce and cheddar cheese on platter

    There are so many new ways to eat and different flavors to try when it comes to making a great meatloaf, but this has to be the best meatloaf recipe yet!

    The wonderful flavors of the gooey cheese and smoky barbecue merge the best parts of popular comfort foods into one tasty moist meatloaf!

    If you like this delicious dinner, be sure to leave a star rating and a comment!

    For more great recipe ideas, fresh takes on traditional recipe favorites, and delicious dinnertime inspiration, be sure to subscribe to the newsletter and follow me on social media!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Ann says

      February 27, 2022 at 8:34 am

      This was an instant favorite at our house!5 stars

      Reply
    2. James says

      August 29, 2019 at 6:47 am

      Tried this last night. Everybody loved it. Good comfort food and kid approved.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 01, 2019 at 3:50 pm

        I'm glad to hear it, James. Thanks!

    3. Katerina @ diethood .com says

      August 28, 2019 at 12:18 pm

      This looks incredibly delicious!! I can't wait to try it!!5 stars

      Reply
    4. Taylor says

      August 28, 2019 at 6:37 am

      This is such a fun spin on classic meatloaf! So delicious!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 03, 2019 at 7:33 am

        Thanks, Taylor. So glad you liked the meatloaf!

    5. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

      August 28, 2019 at 12:28 am

      This looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        September 01, 2019 at 3:50 pm

        Thanks, Erin. My family just loves this!

    6. Sara Welch says

      August 27, 2019 at 7:16 pm

      This is my kind of recipe! Hands down delicious and perfect for busy fall evenings! Delish!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        August 27, 2019 at 8:32 pm

        Thanks Sara! Glad you liked it!

    7. annie says

      August 27, 2019 at 6:48 pm

      I'm going to try this next week!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        August 27, 2019 at 8:31 pm

        Let me know how it goes, Annie!

    8. Beth Pierce says

      August 27, 2019 at 4:39 pm

      What an amazing recipe! I am adding this to my dinner line up for the week! Delicious!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        August 27, 2019 at 8:31 pm

        Thanks so much, Beth. Hope you like the meatloaf!

    9. Dee M says

      January 11, 2015 at 7:37 am

      Thank you for hosting, Miz Helen, and thanks for visiting too! 🙂

      Reply
    10. Dee M says

      January 11, 2015 at 7:36 am

      Thanks so much. I hope you all like it as much as we do! 🙂

      Reply
    11. Miz Helen says

      January 10, 2015 at 10:58 pm

      What a great recipe, it looks delicious. Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend.
      Come Back Soon!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
    12. Eugenia says

      January 05, 2015 at 8:42 pm

      This is such a good idea!! My bf's kids would love this!!

      Reply
    13. Dee M says

      January 03, 2015 at 7:37 pm

      Thanks, Michele! It's been cold here, so we're all about comfort food lately! 🙂

      Reply
    14. Michele @ The Nest at Finch Rest says

      January 03, 2015 at 6:27 pm

      Now THAT is what I call total comfort food, Dee! Thanks for recipe. When it gets cold I love making loaves and soups and chilies and lots of hardy heavy yummy rich foods. : - )

      Happy New Year, sweet lady. ♥

      Reply

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

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