Dad's Cheesy Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf Masterpiece

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, eggs, and 2 tablespoons of ketchup. Mix thoroughly, then add in breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, oregano, basil, pepper, and onion. Set the mixture aside. Line the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish with bacon slices, laid crosswise. Spread half of the meat mixture over the bacon. Place 3 out of 4 slices of Cheddar cheese along the center of the meat, lengthwise. Cover the cheese with the remaining meat mixture, shaping it into a loaf. Fold the bacon ends over the meatloaf. Coat the top with 1 tablespoon of ketchup.

Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven until the center is no longer pink, about 60 minutes. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the center reaches 160°F (70°C). Remove from the oven.

Slice the remaining Cheddar cheese and place it on top of the meatloaf. Return it to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes, until the cheese has melted. Remove from the oven and let the meatloaf rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.