German Meatloaf (with hard-boiled eggs and bacon)

No matter how you prepare it, meatloaf is one of those cozy dishes that evoke memories and makes you happy. If you stuff it with hard-boiled eggs, you'll get a mouth-watering meatloaf that fits any occasion, whether you serve it hot or cold! 

This delicious dish can easily be a hearty winter comfort food as it can be a simple picnic snack! The bacon makes this minced roast crispy and gives it a deliciously warm note and a rustic look.

Whether flavored with Mediterranean spices, wrapped in dough, stuffed with cheese, or as a classic "mock rabbit with eggs," meatloaf can be extraordinary when prepared in various ways and served with side dishes to suit your taste. Try it!

Mock Rabbit

Most European and South American countries call meatloaf a fake, false, faux, mock rabbit, or hare. In German, it's Falscher Hase or Hackbraten.

Meatloaf with boiled eggs is traditional in Germany, Scandinavia, and Belgium, but many other countries worldwide have their version of meatloaf. 

Some cuisines use bacon and hard-boiled eggs, and some don't. But they all agree to serve it with yummy mashed potatoes.

The name comes from the time after the Second World War when many families could not afford a real rabbit for a Sunday roast.

In some regions, you can see this dish on the Easter table; after all, bunnies bring and hide Easter eggs, which would undoubtedly be the right name for this hidden egg meatloaf!

When sliced, this egg meatloaf looks incredible! It's much like a British scotch egg in loaf form, although you would make those typically with pork sausage. 

For German-style meatloaf, a mixture of beef and pork is ideal. However, like here, I often make it just with ground beef and occasionally use buffalo. You can also make it with ground turkey and adjust the spices - it'll be just as delicious!

This meatloaf recipe is the best and excellent for special occasions. Not only is it delicious and a showstopper, but you'll get credit for spending hours in the kitchen without actually spending hours in the kitchen! It's a remarkably simple and easy dish to make.

🛒 Ingredients and Notes

• I believe that a beef/pork mix is best for meatloaf. However, the mixture might be hard to find, or you don't eat pork - ground beef, buffalo, turkey, and chicken (or a combination) work just as well.
• Everything is better with bacon, but it is optional. It also keeps the meat nice and juicy and prevents this minced roast from bursting open in the oven, which can happen. You can substitute it with turkey bacon or leave it out altogether.

🔪 Instructions

The method here is super simple and pretty similar to any other recipe. So, if you've ever made meatloaf before, you don't need to worry - so long as you know how to boil an egg, you already know what to do!

1. Combine all ingredients except the boiled eggs, bacon, and ketchup. 
2. Transfer the mixture to plastic wrap or wax paper and form a rectangle. Align the boiled eggs onto the meat mixture, then roll the meat over the eggs.

1. Place the meat into the prepared pan, seam-side down, and cover with ketchup.
2. Add bacon slices if using. You can lay strips in a row or make a lattice.
3. Bake until bacon is crisp, and let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.

See? Super simple! It's like a swiss roll meatloaf - a delicious spiral!

👩‍🍳 Top Tips

• If you don't like handling raw meat with your bare hands, use disposable gloves, or mix the ingredients with a wooden spoon (it'll take a bit longer). I would not recommend a food processor or a mixer as it will easily overprocess the mixture and make the meatloaf tough. 
• Sprinkle the bottom of the loaf pan with uncooked white rice, then place your formed meatloaf on top of it. While it cooks, rice will soak up all the extra juices, or use the special pan for meatloaf.
• Cut the ends of each egg a little to ensure every slice has a piece of egg yolk. 
• For a gluten-free version, use GF breadcrumbs, almond flour, or almond meal. 
• Rest meatloaf for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🍽 How To Serve It

The juicy meatloaf, which hides hard-boiled eggs inside, is best served with fluffy mashed potatoes, smashed or boiled potatoes, red cabbage, or root vegetables.

In German's standard households, in addition to potato puree, peas with carrots and green beans are traditional sides with this Falscher Hase.

😋 Other Amazing Recipes to Try

Ground or minced meat offers unlimited dishes that are easy, satisfying, and soul-warming. You should try some, if not all, of these recipes:

• Gluten-Free Beef and Feta Risolles
• Chilean Shepherd's Corn Pie
• One-Pan South African Bobotie
• Swedish Cabbage Casserole
• Slavonian Polenta Beef Casserole
• Beef-Stuffed Onions
• Air Fryer Scotch Eggs

Liked this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and/or a review in the comments section. Your feedback is always appreciated! Stay in touch through Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for my email list below too!

Update Notes: This recipe was originally published in July 2015 and updated in August 2020 with new photos and recipe tips.