Deconstructed Meatloaf with Bacon Gremolata
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My recipe for Deconstructed Meatloaf makes an interesting appetizer at a dinner party. Serve it to your guests without telling them what it is. Instruct them to take a bite of all the components on the plate together, and then guess what dish it is “deconstructed”. All the familiar flavors of a classic meatloaf come together in a uniquely delicious way.
- Prep time
- 30 mins
- Cook time
- 25 mins
- Yield
- Serves 4 to 6 people
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Molasses BBQ Sauce
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp spicy brown mustard
For the Bacon Gremolata
- 6 slices bacon
- 4 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ingredients for the meatballs. Mix and form into 12 meatballs. Place on a greased baking sheet (or dish lined with non-stick foil). Place in oven and bake until meatballs are cooked through, about 25 minutes.
- In a small pot, combine ingredients for the BBQ sauce. Stir and let simmer over medium-low heat for 5 minutes.
- In a large pan, cook bacon slices over medium heat. Cook until crispy, about 8 minutes. Remove bacon from pan and reserve bacon grease. Drain bacon on a paper towel. Crumble or chop finely.
- In a small bowl, Mix crumbled bacon, parsley, garlic and lemon zest. Stir in 1/2 tsp of the bacon grease.
- To serve, smear some molasses BBQ sauce across a plate. Place 2-3 meatballs on top of the sauce. Using a teaspoon, top each meatball with some of the bacon gremolata.
