Preheat your oven to 350°F. Prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup later.

Crack the egg into a large bowl. Use a fork to beat it lightly, ensuring it’s mixed well before adding other ingredients.

Combine the breadcrumbs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt into the beaten egg. Stir everything together until just blended.

Add the ground beef to the mixture and gently combine with your hands. Take care not to overmix, as it can make the meatloaf dense.

Shape the meat mixture into a 10 x 5 inch loaf on the prepared baking sheet. Press it down slightly to form a uniform shape.

Spread 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce generously over the top of the meatloaf, enhancing its flavor and creating that lovely glaze.

Drape the bacon slices over the meatloaf, tucking the ends underneath slightly for a neat appearance.

Bake for 45 minutes, letting the flavors meld together and the bacon crisp up.

Brush the remaining 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce over the bacon on the top and sides of the loaf for extra flavor.

Continue baking until the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 160°F, approximately 15-20 minutes more.

Rest the meatloaf by removing it from the oven and letting it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before slicing.