You Need to Try This Delicious Meatloaf Recipe (2024)

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Although there are many varieties of meatloaf, it is generally defined as ground meat formed in the shape of a loaf that is baked or smoked. It is usually made from ground beef, but ground lamb, seafood, poultry, veal, venison, and pork all make great substitutions.

Because the meat tends to dry out, it is often stuffed with ingredients like cheese or vegetables or topped with sauce to help lock in the moisture.

It is difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of meatloaf, but it may have evolved as years went by. It can be traced back to times as early as the 5th century when a similar dish was featured in an ancient Roman cookery collection.

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Since then, it has evolved in German, Scandinavian and Belgian cultures who recognize it as a cousin to the Dutch meatball.

The recipe did not appear in American cookbooks until the late 19th century. In this culture, it was said to have its origins in scrapple, which is scraps of pork and other meat stewed with cornmeal and shaped into loaves for slicing and frying.

So, we see that ameatloaf recipeis as varied as the cook who makes it. Some make meatloaf as an old-fashioned comfort food, carrying on a tradition of a home cooked reliable meal the family can gather around.

Others use a meatloaf recipe as a way to take boring ground meat and give it a big injection of flavor through different spices and seasonings.

While this meatloaf recipe is our favorite, we also offer other meatloaf recipes that are just as tasty. Each one has a distinctly different flavor so you’re sure to find one that suits your taste perfectly.

A meatloaf recipe is as varied as the cook who makes it. Some make meatloaf as an old-fashioned comfort food, carrying on a tradition of a home cooked reliable meal the family can gather around.

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Others use a meatloaf recipe as a way to take boring ground meat and give it a big injection of flavor through different spices and seasonings.

More Easy Meatloaf Recipes

While this meatloaf recipe is our favorite, we also have other meatloaf recipes that are just as tasty. Each one has a distinctly different flavor so you're sure to find one that suits your taste perfectly.

Check out our Best Meatloaf Recipe, our Easy Meatloaf Recipe, Simple Meatloaf Recipe, and the healthy Turkey Meatloaf Recipe for other tasty meatloaf recipe variations.

Mama Shirley's Meatloaf recipe takes a bit longer, but is a delicious old-fashioned version.

This meatloaf recipe is one that mixes the flavor of good old fashioned basic meatloaf with the added hint of sweetness from brown sugar. It isn't too sweet, and it definitely isn't boring. You can use plain ground beef, or a meatloaf mixture (like ground beef, ground pork, and ground veal mixed together).

You can add ground sausage for a bit of a kick, or ground turkey for a leaner version. Whichever meat you choose, the ingredients in this meatloaf recipe will help you create a meatloaf you'll make over and over again.

Lipton Meatloaf Recipe and Ingredients

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Meatloaf Recipe

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  • Author: Moms Who Think
  • Total Time: 90 Minutes
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Description

A meatloaf recipe is as varied as the cook who makes it. Some make meatloaf as an old-fashioned comfort food, carrying on a tradition of a home cooked reliable meal the family can gather around.

Ingredients

Scale

  1. package Lipton Onion Soup Mix
  2. pounds lean ground beef
  3. 1 large egg
  4. 2/3 cup milk
  5. 3/4 cup ketchup
  6. 3/4 cup brown sugar
  7. 1 teaspoon yellow mustard

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Mix the onion soup mix, ground beef, egg and milk together.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar and mustard.
  4. Spoon half the sauce mixture on the bottom of a 13 x 9 x 2 loaf pan.
  5. Form the meat combination into a well packed loaf shape, on top of the sauce mixture in the loaf pan.
  6. Spoon the remaining brown sugar sauce mixture onto the top of the meatloaf.
  7. Bake uncovered, for about an hour. When done, take the meatloaf out of the pan and place on a serving plate. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.
Meatloaf Recipe
  • Prep Time: 30 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 Minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Sides to Serve with Meatloaf

Meatloaf makes for a great dinner, but on its own it may not be enough. Check out some of our ideas for great side dishes to serve with meatloaf:

  • Mashed potatoes. This is an extremely common side dish to see served alongside meatloaf. It's a great compliment to the sweetness of this meatloaf recipe.
  • French fries. While less common as a side dish for meatloaf than mashed potatoes, French fries are still a great option. They're a great choice if you have kids, since they'll likely prefer them over mashed potatoes.
  • Macaroni and cheese. Meatloaf is often seen as a comfort food, so why not serve another comfort food as a side dish? Mac and cheese is a beloved American classic. Make the boxed variety for ease or try making a baked mac and cheese.
  • Cottage cheese. Sometimes, a cold side is a great addition to a hot meal. Cottage cheese is packed with protein, making it a great choice. Buy the low-fat variety if you want to keep it as healthy as possible.
  • Salad. On the topic of cold sides, salad is another great choice. A traditional house salad with your favorite dressing will do just fine. If you want something a little fancier, try making a Caesar salad.
  • Green beans. If you want to serve a veggie with your meatloaf, then green beans are a great choice. Vegetables are necessary for a balanced diet, so including them with your meatloaf dinner will ensure you're feeding your family a balanced meal.
  • Broccoli and cheese. If you have picky eaters in your family that hate vegetables, try this to help them get their necessary vegetables for the day. By mixing in some cheese with the broccoli, the bitterness will be masked and your kids will be more likely to eat.
  • Applesauce. Applesauce is a great side dish to choose for the fall. When mixed with cinnamon, applesauce is a true comfort food that many enjoy. It's also packed with nutrition, making it an excellent choice for a balanced meal.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Donna Vincent/Shutterstock.com.

You Need to Try This Delicious Meatloaf Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to a great meat loaf? ›

A chef's secret trick to making an amazing meatloaf is to use a mixture of ground beef, pork, and veal for a more flavorful and moist texture. Another trick is to use a combination of fresh and dried herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, and parsley, to enhance the overall taste.

What gives meatloaf the best flavor? ›

Try adding minced garlic, parsley, and thyme for a deeply savory taste. For mouthwateringly bold meatloaf, add Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and ketchup to the pre-baked mixture. This blend ensures that each bite is deliciously balanced with just a hint of sweetness.

Why milk instead of water in meatloaf? ›

Milk and other dairy products, like heavy cream and buttermilk, contain both water and fat, adding two types of moisture to our meatloaf. There's a long-held theory that milk can tenderize ground meat, and this is the reason often cited for cooking ground meat in milk to make a Bolognese-style ragù.

What ingredient keeps meatloaf from falling apart? ›

To help your meatloaf stay together add things such as eggs, bread, crushed croutons, oatmeal, crackers, and breadcrumbs, these are all key ingredients that help meat stick together. I hope that this helps to answer your question. What are the secrets to a firm, sliceable meatloaf that slices and won't fall apart?

How to make a Bobby Flay meatloaf? ›

directions
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Heat the oil in a large sauté pan over high heat. ...
  3. Whisk together the eggs and herbs in a large bowl. ...
  4. Whisk together the remaining ketchup and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl then brush the mixture over the entire loaf.
  5. Bake the meatloaf for approximately 1 to 1 1/4 hours.

What is the basic meatloaf formula? ›

The Basic Meatloaf Formula

All recipes for meatloaf start with the same basic formula: 2 pounds of ground meat and a “panade” made of bread or crackers soaked in milk. Along with a few eggs, this panade helps to hold the ground meat together and adds some essential moisture to the mix.

Is it better to cook meatloaf covered or uncovered? ›

Should I cook my meatloaf covered or uncovered? The meatloaf can be cooked uncovered. However, if you are concerned about it burning, you can cover the meatloaf with foil for the first 45 minutes and uncover it for the final 15 minutes to allow the meatloaf to brown on top.

Is it better to cook meatloaf at 350 or 375? ›

The oven temperature is typically set at 350 degrees F for making meatloaf. That's the temperature you want to be sure to use so the meatloaf cooks and doesn't dry out. Too high, and the outer crust will burn before the interior is cooked all the way, too low and you don't get that delicious crust.

Why does my meatloaf taste bland? ›

You're Not Sufficiently Seasoning the Meat

Before you cook the meatloaf, it's not a bad idea to very quickly saute a small nub of the meat mixture and give it a taste. If you feel like it needs a bit more seasoning, then adjust as necessary before baking the entire loaf. Black pepper is up to your discretion.

What does adding an extra egg to meatloaf do? ›

Sure, egg yolks add some rich flavor to a meatloaf, but the real reason we need eggs is for structure—to help bind the meatloaf together. This is especially important since we're making a free-form meatloaf, or one that you shape by hand, versus using a loaf pan.

What happens if you forget the milk in meatloaf? ›

If you don't use milk in a meatloaf, here's what you might expect: Drier texture: The most noticeable change will be a slightly drier meatloaf. It won't be inedible, but it might be a bit crumblier.

What if I forgot to put an egg in my meatloaf? ›

The ratio of ¼ cup water to one tablespoon of flaxseed meal is equivalent to one egg. So to substitute for two eggs in a meatloaf, you'll want to mix ½ cup of water with 2 tablespoons of flaxseed meal.

What can I use instead of breadcrumbs in meatloaf? ›

What Can You Substitute Bread Crumbs in Meatloaf With?
  1. Rolled Oats: When it comes to breadcrumb substitutes, rolled oats are one of the leading contenders. ...
  2. Crushed Crackers: An equally viable alternative is crushed crackers.
Sep 1, 2023

What can you put under meatloaf to soak up grease? ›

A neat trick to soak up the grease under your meatloaf is to line the bottom of the pan with bread slices. The bread soaks up the grease as the loaf bakes. When the meatloaf is done, you can either throw out the bread or bake it to make some truly indulgent toast.

What can I add to meatloaf so it's not dry? ›

Use Extra Egg: Eggs act as binders and provide moisture. Add one or two eggs per pound of meat for a moist texture. Make Use of Milk: Soak breadcrumbs in milk before adding them to your mixture. This will keep your meatloaf moist during baking.

Should you cover meatloaf when baking? ›

Should I cook my meatloaf covered or uncovered? The meatloaf can be cooked uncovered. However, if you are concerned about it burning, you can cover the meatloaf with foil for the first 45 minutes and uncover it for the final 15 minutes to allow the meatloaf to brown on top.

How do you keep meatloaf moist when baking? ›

Use Extra Egg: Eggs act as binders and provide moisture. Add one or two eggs per pound of meat for a moist texture. Make Use of Milk: Soak breadcrumbs in milk before adding them to your mixture. This will keep your meatloaf moist during baking.

What happens if you put too many eggs in meatloaf? ›

Fewer eggs will create a denser and firmer meatloaf that will be more compact and easier to slice, but more eggs can create a more tender and light texture that allows the meatloaf to melt in your mouth.

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