Cheesy BBQ Meatloaf Recipe

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!

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.

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.

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!

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 published in 2019 and updated in 2022

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!

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