Burgers, Meatloaf, and a Mom's Kind of Camping Prep

Today was one of those days where the kitchen never seemed to stop buzzing, the oven worked overtime, and flour ended up on the dog (again). But goodness, my heart feels full. With camping season just around the corner, I’ve been busy getting meals prepped so we can actually enjoy our time away this year—because let’s be honest, when you’re the mom on a camping trip, it’s not exactly a vacation.

It’s more like… a wilderness version of Groundhog Day.

🍔 Bacon Cheeseburgers & Homemade Buns – Because You Deserve the Good Stuff

We started with a big ol’ batch of homemade bacon cheeseburgers. I picked up a fresh order of ground beef from our local butcher—supporting local always feels right—and paired it with crispy bacon and shredded cheddar. I made the patties thick, seasoned with love, and grilled them up while the buns were rising nearby.

Homemade Hamburger Buns were a must. They’re soft, fluffy, and made with simple pantry ingredients. Bonus? They freeze like a dream and toast up beautifully over a campfire or a griddle. I made a few extra just for breakfast sandwiches too—because if I’m already in the flour storm, I may as well make it worth it!

🍽️ Meatloaf Like Mom Used to Make (But Camp-Ready!)

Next on the list: four glorious meatloaves. I call this the “comfort food hustle.” Each loaf is packed with seasoned beef, shredded cheese, and topped with smoky bacon strips that crisp up perfectly in the oven. Once cooled, I sliced them thick and laid them out for freeze-drying.

These babies are ready-to-eat meals in the making. Just add a few hot coals and some mashed potatoes, and you’ve got dinner around the campfire with zero stress.

🥔 Mashed Potatoes – The Unsung Hero of Camping Meals

Let’s give mashed potatoes the standing ovation they deserve. Creamy, buttery, and made with Yukon Golds from my stash, they round out every meal with that hug-your-belly kind of comfort. I added a little sour cream for richness, then cooled them down and portioned them for the freeze-dryer too.

Once dried, they rehydrate quickly with hot water or milk—no peeling, no boiling, no fuss while we’re out in the woods.

🏕️ The Mom Behind the Meals: Why I’m Prepping Now

If you’ve ever been the designated campsite cook, you know the drill:
Wake up before everyone else.
Start the fire.
Get a good bed of coals going.
Cook breakfast while rubbing sleep from your eyes.
Clean up. Stoke the fire again.
Make lunch. Clean up.
Dinner? Repeat.

All while keeping the kids from wandering too far, fishing gear untangled, marshmallows out of the dog’s mouth, and yourself from losing your ever-loving mind because you forgot the ketchup.

This year, I’m changing that.

This year, I want to sip my coffee by the fire instead of juggling skillets. I want to laugh with my kids instead of rushing around with a spatula in one hand and a list in the other. I want to sit beside my fiancé with my feet up, enjoying the stars and that quiet sigh that only comes when you know the work is already done.

So, I’m prepping now—batch cooking burgers and buns, slicing up meatloaf, packing mashed potatoes—so that I can gift myself the freedom to enjoy being present at camp.

Would you like this turned into a printable with recipe cards or a shareable blog layout for your site? I can also add photos, checklist sidebars, or a freezer inventory sheet if that helps with organizing your camp prep!

Bacon Cheeseburger Patties

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs ground beef (preferably 80/20 for juiciness)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 egg
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 10 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled

Instructions:

1. Mix everything together gently—don’t overwork it or your patties will be tough.
2. Form into patties and press a slight dimple in the centre (helps them cook evenly).
3. Cook on a grill or skillet until fully done, flipping only once.
4. Cool completely before wrapping for freezing or adding to buns for freeze-drying.

Homemade Hamburger Buns

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• (Optional) sesame seeds

Instructions:

1. Dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water. Let it sit until foamy (about 5–10 minutes).
2. Mix in flour, salt, egg, and oil. Knead until soft and elastic.
3. Let rise 1 hour, punch down, shape into buns, and rise again 30–40 mins.
4. Bake at 375°F for 15–18 minutes until golden brown.
5. Cool and slice, then freeze individually or assemble with burgers for a grab-and-go meal!

Meatloaf with Bacon & Cheese

Ingredients (per loaf):

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste
• 6 slices bacon, laid on top before baking

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients (except bacon) and shape into a loaf.
2. Place in a loaf pan or on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
3. Lay bacon strips over the top and press slightly.
4. Bake at 350°F for about 1 hour or until internal temp hits 160°F.
5. Cool completely, slice thick, and freeze or freeze-dry for quick meals.

🌸 Just a Little Reminder...

If you’re a busy mom like me, trying to squeeze joy between the responsibilities, know this: the work you do now matters. These little choices—homemade meals, a well-packed cooler, a quiet morning by the fire—add up to the memories your family will carry forever.

So here’s to the chaos and the calm, the flour on your shirt and the firewood in your arms, the homemade meals and the moments they make possible.

Until next time, may your meals be made with love, your days be filled with laughter, and your camping trip be the kind where Mom actually gets to sit down.

🌿 "Plant seeds of kindness, water them with love, and watch your life grow beautifully simple."