Havarti Shiitake Mushroom Meatloaf

8 slices bacon, roughly crumbled
6 Shiitake mushrooms, finely sliced
1 onion, minced
1/2 cup seasoned Panko breadcrumbs
1 large egg, beaten
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 cup Havarti cheese, shredded
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
OPTIONAL TOPPING: additional sautéed mushrooms and onions and fresh grated parmesan

Preheat oven to 350. Cook bacon in skillet until crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain and cool. Once cooled, crumble bacon and set aside. Drain bacon fat from skillet and cook mushrooms and onions until tender and remove from heat.

In a large bowl, mix Panko breadcrumbs, egg, evaporated milk and Havarti cheese. Add mushrooms, onion and crumbled bacon. Add the ground beef. Using plastic gloves, mix by hand until well combined.

Shape into a loaf and place in loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until cooked through. Once meatloaf is done, drain fat from pan and slice into serving portions. Serve with additional sauteed mushrooms, onions, paremsan and brown gravy with a side of grilled asparagus.