Low Carb Savory Bacon Wrapped & Cheese Filled Meatloaf (Gluten Free)

Moist, Flavorful & Impressive!

Ingredients:
18 slices of natural nitrite & nitrate free bacon (not thick cut)
1 1/2 pounds grass fed ground beef (or 3/4 pound ground beef & 3/4 pound ground turkey)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning Blend (store bought or homemade)**see recipe below**
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup (1 ounce) pork panko***see note below***
10 mini Babybel cheeses (unwrapped) or 10 one inch cubes of mozzarella cheese
9 x 5 inch glass loaf pan

Method:
Preheat oven to 350".` Line a 15 x 9 inch baking pan with foil and set aside. Lay one slice of bacon across the long side of the loaf pan, beginning with the bottom of the pan, and draping over the side. Lay a second slice, in the same manner, next to the first slice. Repeat with four more slices. Layer 6 slices across the bottom and opposite side of the pan. Layer one slice of bacon across half of the bottom of the pan and drape over the shorter side of the loaf pan. Repeat with two more slices of bacon. Place 3 more slices on the opposite side of the pan.

Place the ground meat, eggs, spices, mustard, onion and panko in a large bowl and mix until well blended. (I use my well washed hands.) Pat half of the meat mixture on top of the bacon. Make a groove, down the center of the meat, to create a trough for the cheeses to rest in. (Leave a half inch to one inch space, at each end, between the groove and the edge of the pan.)
Place the cheeses side by side in the groove. Pat the remaining half of the meat mixture on top everything in the pan. Fold the slices of bacon, from the short sides of the pan, over the top of the meat loaf. Repeat with the bacon slices draped over the long sides of the pan.  Place in the foil lined pan and bake for 40 minutes.
Line another pan with foil. Remove the meatloaf from the oven. Run a knife around the edges of the loaf. Carefully invert the meatloaf onto the clean foil lined pan. Return to the oven for another 20 to 35 minutes, or until the bacon is completely browned. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Slice into 7 portions.

A delicious slice of meatloaf with salad.

**Homemade Italian Blend Seasoning ~ Gluten & Chemical Free
https://carriekitchencreations.blogspot.com/2019/09/homemade-italian-blend-seasoning-gluten.html

***I highly recommend purchasing a bag of "Pork Panko". (I found it online.) I wanted to try some recipes that called for crushed pork rinds, but I gag at the smell and taste of regular pork rinds and when crushed their consistency becomes gummy. Pork Panko has the texture of bread crumbs and can be substituted in any recipe that calls for regular panko or bread crumbs. (When stored in the refrigerator, they will remain fresh until needed.) If you are not following a gluten free or low carb diet, regular panko or bread crumbs may be used instead of the Pork Panko. 

porkpanko.com

Nutritional info per slice approximately:
557.36 calories ~ 38 grams fat ~ 2.28 grams net carbs ~ 48 grams protein

Note: Oh my. This meatloaf is moist, flavorful, delicious and impressive enough to serve to dinner guests!