Ingredients
2 slices day old white bread, torn into small pieces or 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs, preferably homemade
2 yellow onions, finely chopped (11/2 cups)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
3/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 pounds coarsely ground chuck, preferably 85 percent lean
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar
8 slices (6 ounces) bacon
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Tear bread into pieces; pulse in a food processor to make fine crumbs (or use plain breadcrumbs) set aside.P
Cook the Onions: Pulse onion in food processor until finely chopped (or do so by hand). Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add onion and 1 teaspoon kosher salt to skillet; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, about 8 minutes. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, broth, and 1/4 cup ketchup. Remove from heat; let cool completely.
Prep the Meat and Glaze: In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup ketchup and brown sugar for glaze; set aside. In a large bowl, combine onions with ground chuck, 1 egg, 1/2 cup reserved breadcrumbs, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper. Mix with your hands until well combined. Gently fold in cheddar.
Bake and Let Cool: On a rimmed baking sheet, form meat mixture into a loaf that’s 10 inches long, 4 inches wide, and 2 inches high, packing firmly to prevent cracking. Coat top and sides with 1/2 of glaze, then top with bacon, overlapping slices slightly. Brush remaining glaze over bacon. Bake until top is caramelized and a thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 165 degrees, 55 to 65 minutes. (If top is browning too quickly, tent with foil.) Let cool at least 25 minutes.
