Guinness and Cheddar Meatloaf

My guess is that you are looking for St. Patrick’s Day recipes other than corned beef and cabbage. Well, let me introduce you to Guinness and Cheddar Meatloaf.

Guinness and Cheddar Meatloaf is packed with vegetables simmered in stout beer and fresh sage topped with crispy bacon and a sweet molasses glaze. #baconwrappedmeatloaf #easymeatloafrecipes www.savoryexperiments.com


 

Guinness and Cheddar Meatloaf is packed with vegetables simmered in stout beer and fresh sage topped with crispy bacon and a sweet molasses glaze.

I ran across this recipe when when I was looking for new and fun meatloaf recipes. I’ve been obsessed with these oversized gourmet meatballs! This recipe caught my eye, as did the other variations on the original from Fine Cooking Magazine.

Guinness and Cheddar Meatloaf is packed with vegetables simmered in stout beer and fresh sage topped with crispy bacon and a sweet molasses glaze. #baconwrappedmeatloaf #easymeatloafrecipes www.savoryexperiments.com

The genius here is in the veggies. Sweat the vegetables of liquid and then reconstituted with Guinness beer, or any other stout you prefer. They turn into little moisture and flavor bombs embedded in the meat mix.

Originally seen in Fine Cooking, I took out the mushrooms, celery and parsley and added parsnip and sage. Parsnips are so underutilized, which is a shame. Their sweet flavor is delicious and they can be used in nearly any recipe that calls for carrots.

Guinness and Cheddar Meatloaf is packed with vegetables simmered in stout beer and fresh sage topped with crispy bacon and a sweet molasses glaze. #baconwrappedmeatloaf #easymeatloafrecipes www.savoryexperiments.com

I find kids prefer parsnips to other vegetables. Meatloaf is the perfect way to hide veggies from your kids and with nearly cups, this meatloaf is jam packed.

You can use 2 pounds of any ground meat, veal, beef or pork. If you choose to use chicken or turkey, make sure you have at least some with a little fat to help hold your meatloaf together. I used a half lean ground beef and mild Italian pork.

Guinness and Cheddar Meatloaf on a plate

While I typically prefer to use a meatloaf pan to drip all the fat out and form a great loaf, this recipe wouldn’t fit and it made it challenging to drape with bacon.

If you decided to omit the bacon and cut the recipe in half, you could use a meatloaf pan. But I don’t recommend forfeiting the bacon. Who doesn’t love bacon wrapped meatloaf?

Guinness and Cheddar Meatloaf is packed with vegetables simmered in stout beer and fresh sage topped with crispy bacon and a sweet molasses glaze. #baconwrappedmeatloaf #easymeatloafrecipes www.savoryexperiments.com

The Galley Gourmet added a glaze and I have to agree, it was a great idea. I can’t imagine a meatloaf without a sweet topping, but traditional meatloaf glaze of ketchup didn’t seem warranted for this hearty concoction.

She used honey and brown sugar, but I felt like molasses would pair perfectly and add the right amount of sweet and bitter to complement the flavors.

Tools used to make Guinness and Cheddar Meatloaf:

Heavy Bottom Frying Pan– this will be one of your most used kitchen tools. Having something that is heavy bottom will distribute heat better and prevent burning whether you are using an electric or gas range.

Wood cutting board – wood won’t dull your knives like plastic and if treated properly, has natural antimicrobial properties.

Good knife – Global is my favorite! They are worth the price, I promise. I am kind of obsessed with them and store them tucked away so no one else can use them. Including hubby. Hands off my good stuff!

Guinness and Cheddar Meatloaf is packed with vegetables simmered in stout beer and fresh sage topped with crispy bacon and a sweet molasses glaze. #baconwrappedmeatloaf #easymeatloafrecipes www.savoryexperiments.com

Here are a few more St. Patrick’s Day recipes to check out:

Green Dunkaroo Dip in a Bowl

St. Patrick’s Day Dunkaroo Dip

4.77 from 21 votes
St. Patrick’s Day Dunkaroo Dip is a festive green color and served with Nilla Wafers, perfect for any St. Patrick’s Day party for kids or adults!
See The Recipe!
guinness cupcakes on a serving platter

Guinness Cupcakes with Bailey’s Frosting

3.69 from 22 votes
Chocolate cupcakes laced with Guinness Stout Beer and topped with fluffy Irish cream Bailey's frosting. Perfect for St. Patrick's Day!
See The Recipe!
Bowl of Gold Puppy Chow

Pot of Gold Puppy Chow

5 from 6 votes
Pot of Gold PUppy Chow is the perfect gold St. Patrick’s Day dessert or snack. Easy to make, make-ahead and delicious to eat, it will be the hit of your St. Patrick’s Day bash! 
See The Recipe!
Guinness and Cheddar Meatloaf is packed with vegetables simmered in stout beer and fresh sage topped with crispy bacon and a sweet molasses glaze. #baconwrappedmeatloaf #easymeatloafrecipes www.savoryexperiments.com
Guinness and Cheddar Meatloaf is packed with vegetables simmered in stout beer and fresh sage topped with crispy bacon and a sweet molasses glaze. #baconwrappedmeatloaf #easymeatloafrecipes www.savoryexperiments.com

Guinness and Cheddar Meatloaf

4.55 from 11 votes
Guinness and Cheddar Meatloaf is packed with vegetables simmered in stout beer and fresh sage topped with crispy bacon and a sweet molasses glaze.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients

Meatloaf:

Glaze:

Instructions

  • Combine roughly chopped red onion, garlic, carrot and parsnip in food processor. Pulse until finely minced.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook vegetable mixture until softened and just beginning to brown, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.
  • Pour in stout, simmering until no more liquid remains, approximately 5 minutes. Add minced sage.
  • Remove from heat and allow to cool until cool enough to touch. If you are short on time, transfer to another bowl and place in the refrigerator.
  • Meanwhile, in a shallow dish, arrange cubed bread in a single layer. Pour in milk. After 5 minutes, flip and allow to continue soaking for an additional 5 minutes. Gently press with a spatula, removing excess milk and making sure all of the bread is moistened and breaking into a pulp.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degree
  • s with the rack in the center. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Crumble ground beef and ground pork into a large mixing bowl. Pour beat eggs, shredded white cheddar and Worcestershire sauce over ground meat mixture, followed by fine sea salt, ground white pepper, vegetable mix and mushy bread.
  • With (clean) heads gently toss to combine. Do not overmix, this will result in tough meatloaf.
  • transfer meat mixture to parchment lined baking sheet and form into a loaf, approximately 10×4.
  • Finish the meatloaf by draping it with slightly overlapping strips of bacon, tucking the ends under the loaf.
  • For 45 minutes, or until meat thermometer registers at 160 degrees.
  • Turn broiler on high and crisp the top for 2-3 minutes or until browned.
  • Meanwhile, whisk together stout beer and molasses. 
  • Baste hot meatloaf with glaze as soon as it comes out of the oven. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
  • If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was! 

Nutrition

Calories: 521 kcal, Carbohydrates: 24 g, Protein: 24 g, Fat: 35 g, Saturated Fat: 13 g, Cholesterol: 125 mg, Sodium: 483 mg, Potassium: 706 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 15 g, Vitamin A: 1245 IU, Vitamin C: 4.1 mg, Calcium: 211 mg, Iron: 3 mg
Author: Jessica Formicola
Calories: 521
Course: Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bacon wrapped meatloaf, best meatloaf recipe, cheddar meatloaf
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Jessica Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and food lover behind Savory Experiments. She is obsessed with butter, salt and bacon and spends all her time in the kitchen and behind a camera. Jessica is a contributor to PopKitchen by Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal Food + Travel and more!

Read More About Jessica

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Recipe Rating




Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    You are so right about looking for something other than corned beef and cabbage. This meatloaf looks incredible! I pinned it to my St. Patrick’s Day board.

  2. This looks delicious. I can literally smell the meatloaf, bacon and veggies. Thanks for the great idea for a St Patty’s alternative to corned beef..

  3. 5 stars
    Holy moistness! I am a huge fan of meatloaf, something absolutely comforting about it! This meatloaf is so moist jam packed with so much flavour, I never think of adding cheese in but wow! I can’t not add cheese anymore~! You’re brilliant! 🙂