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Sliced Meatloaf Cordon Bleu with melted cheese center, ham layer, and crispy breadcrumb topping on a white plate.
Daniel

Meatloaf Cordon Bleu

Classic meatloaf gets a decadent upgrade with layers of ham and Swiss cheese tucked inside, then topped with a tangy Dijon glaze.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, French-Inspired
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

For the Meatloaf
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef 80/20 blend
  • 0.5 lb ground pork
  • 0.75 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 0.5 cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 0.5 cup yellow onion finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1.5 tsp kosher salt divided
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 6 oz deli ham thinly sliced
  • 6 oz Swiss cheese thinly sliced
For the Glaze
  • 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 3 tbsp ketchup
  • 2 tbsp light brown sugar packed

Equipment

  • 9x5 inch Loaf Pan
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Small bowl (for glaze)

Method
 

Prep
  1. In a small bowl, combine panko and milk. Let sit 5 minutes until the breadcrumbs absorb the liquid - this keeps the meatloaf tender and prevents a dry, crumbly texture.
  2. Whisk together Dijon mustard, ketchup, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Set aside half for serving, reserve the rest for topping the meatloaf.
  3. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, soaked panko mixture, egg, onion, garlic, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix just until combined - overworking makes the meatloaf tough.
Assemble the layers
  1. Press half the meat mixture into the bottom of a 9x5 inch loaf pan, creating a slight well in the center. Layer ham slices over the meat, then top with Swiss cheese, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Press remaining meat mixture over the top, sealing the edges completely so the cheese stays inside during baking.
Bake
  1. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and spread half the glaze over the top. Return to oven and bake 15-20 minutes more, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F and the glaze is caramelized. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing - this allows the cheese to set so it doesn't run out.
  2. Slice thickly and serve with reserved glaze on the side. The cheese center should be melted and oozy, the ham slightly crisp at the edges.

Notes

For easier slicing, chill the assembled but unbaked meatloaf for 30 minutes - this firms up the layers and helps the cheese stay in place. Substitute Gruyere for Swiss if you want a nuttier, more complex flavor. Leftovers make exceptional meatloaf sandwiches; reheat slices gently in a covered skillet with a splash of water to keep them moist.