If you love a classic cheeseburger and a hearty homemade meatloaf, this Cheeseburger Meatloaf brings the best of both worlds together in one comforting dish.
A seasoned beef mixture is rolled around a generous layer of melted Cheddar cheese, creating a flavorful pinwheel effect that delivers cheesy goodness in every slice.
Perfect for weeknight dinners, family gatherings, or meal prep, this juicy meatloaf is simple to prepare and endlessly customizable.
Serve it with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or even your favorite burger toppings like ketchup, mustard, and pickle chips for a fun cheeseburger-inspired meal.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup minced onion
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, minced onion, beaten eggs, salt, and black pepper. Mix until evenly incorporated.
- Place a large sheet of wax paper or parchment paper on your work surface. Transfer the meat mixture onto the paper and press it into a rectangle approximately 14 x 18 inches.
- Sprinkle the shredded Cheddar cheese evenly over the meat, leaving about a 3/4-inch border around the edges.
- Starting from one long side, carefully roll the meat mixture into a log, jelly-roll style, enclosing the cheese inside. Press the ends closed to help keep the cheese from escaping while baking.
- Transfer the rolled meatloaf seam-side down into a 10 x 15-inch baking dish.
- Bake for about 1 hour, or until the meatloaf is fully cooked and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers at least 160°F (70°C).
- Remove from the oven and let the meatloaf rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Chef’s Notes
- For a cheeseburger-style finish, serve with ketchup, mustard, and dill pickle chips on the side.
- Sharp Cheddar gives the meatloaf a bolder flavor, but Monterey Jack, Swiss, Pepper Jack, or American cheese can also be used.
- Avoid overmixing the beef mixture to keep the meatloaf tender and juicy.
- Letting the meatloaf rest before slicing helps keep the melted cheese inside.
- Leftover slices make excellent sandwiches the next day.