Meatloaf Recipe
Are you trying to find the best way to prepare a juicy, flavorful meatloaf? If so, you will learn how to make a delicious meatloaf recipe from this article. This recipe tastes great and is simple to prepare. It is baked with lean ground beef, handful seasonings, a sprinkle of breadcrumbs, onions, eggs, etc. Bake it in an oven with zesty topping. Below are the best tips and processes to follow and enjoy the best recipe:
What are the ingredients for classic meatloft?
| Ground Beef | 1 ½ lbs (700g) |
| Breadcrumbs | 1 cup |
| Chopped onion | 1 small onion |
| Garlic | 2 cloves minced |
| Egg | 1 beaten |
| Milk | ½ cup |
| Ketchup | 2 tablespoon |
| Worcestershire sauce | 1 tablespoon |
| Salt | 1 tablespoon |
| Black pepper | ½ tablespoon |
For Glaze
| Ketchup | ¼ cup |
| Brown Sugar | 1 tablespoon |
| Mustard | 1 tablespoon |
Ground Beef
For a juicy and delicious recipe, 80/20 ground beef is recommended for perfect flavor.
Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs are necessary because they help in maintaining structure and hold them together. You can use Italian and seasoned breadcrumbs that contain extra flavor but the Panko breadcrumbs work also.
Egg
Help in binding meatloaf to avoid falling apart when you cut it.
Onion and Garlic
Chopped onions and garlic add flavor to the meat loaf recipe. You are free to omit onions if you dislike them.
Seasonings
Add parsley while the Italian seasonings are savory and aromatic if you want to savor the crisp, fresh flavor.
Salt and Pepper
Add salt according to your preference. Pepper and black pepper also enhance the taste of the overall recipe.
Milk
Milk hydrates the breadcrumbs to add moisture and tenderize the beef for a juicer and softer meatloaf.
Meatloaf Sauces
The flavor can also be improved by adding sauces, such as soy sauce, chili sauce, etc. Zesty topping is the best topping that is rich in flavor. It is prepared in caramelization and gets a bit of sticky flavor to glaze the meatloaf as it bakes. Ketchup, chili sauce, and a dash of brown sugar will all be used in this recipe.
Ingredients for the Topping of Meatloaf
Chilli sauce doesn’t mean it is full of spice, but it’s not spicy, which gives you the flavor of zesty ketchup, which is tangy and has less sweetness. If it is not available at your home, you can also prepare chili sauce at home.
We will mix the chili sauce with the ketchup for topping for this recipe. You can also mix ketchup with a bit of BBQ sauce if you like this flavor.
Variations and Additions
Adding or creating variations in the meatloaf recipe can change the flavor. Here are my favorite additions or variations, which are given below:
Meat
1 pound ground beef and mixed it with 1 pound turkey. You can also add ½ pound of lean ground pork in the place of beed.
Seasonings
Enhance flavor by adding some seasonings, like garlic powder (1 tablespoon), green chili chopped bell pepper, and Worcestershire sauce (1 tablespoon), etc.
Brown Sugar
Use an equal quantity of brown sugar and ketchup with 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar to prepare the meatloft glaze for topping.
Brown Gravy
Serve the recipe with brown gravy to increase the taste.
Total Time Required
| Preparation | 15 minutes |
| Baking Time | 50 to 60 minutes |
| Resting Time | 10minutes |
| Total Time | 1 hour & 15 minutes |
How Can I Prepare Meatloaf?
- To make cleanup easier, place a parchment sheet on a rimmed baking sheet. Warm up the oven to 350°F.
- After turning on the heat, place the chopped onion in a pan.
- Fry the onion up to 5-7 minutes on a medium flame until the onion turns soft.
- Mix well all the ingredients in a bowl.
- Now form a loaf on a baking sheet and start baking. Cooking time is based on the size of the loaf.
- Bake the meatloaf until bubbly.
- Finally, top with the mix sauces and try it.
Tips for the best meatloaf
Do not overmix
Mix all the ingredients until mixed well and combined well, but never mix over because overmixing results in a dense meatloaf.
Use lean meat
Use 80/20 lean meat for the best flavor and consistency without too much fat.
Add flavors and Moisture
Make the meatloaf recipe flavorful by adding flavors and seasonings. Use breadcrumbs soaking in the milk.
Skip the Loaf Pan
Use a baking sheet instead of a loaf pan because it causes the meatloaf to steam in drippings instead of getting a nice and yummy crispy exterior.
Rest the Meatloaf
Rest the meatloaf up to 10 to 15 minutes after baking it in the oven to let the loaf absorb all the flavors and make it easier to slice without falling apart.
How to long cook meatloaf?
It takes roughly 55 to 56 minutes to cook the 2 pound meatloaf recipe at 350°F. While at the 375°F for 45 to 55 minutes. You can use a meat thermometer to check it reaches an internal tempature of 160°F.
How to store and freeze meatloaf?
Meatloaf is the best option for mealing. Its storage and freezing process is given below:
Assemble in Advance
Assemble it 1 to 2 days before baking. Use plastic wrap to wrap it tightly and refrigerate until ready to cook.
Refrigerate Leftovers
Store the meatloaf for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. So, use the leftovers to make meatloaf tacos, sandwitches, etc.
Freezing Raw Meatloaf
Prepare the meatloaf according to the instructions and shape it into a loaf pan. Cover it with plastic cover or wrap it in aluminum foil and freeze up to 6 month. Defrost covered in the refrigerator for 24 hours and add 5 minutes to the baking time.
Freezing cooled meatloaf
When the meatloaf is cooled, freeze the portions in freezer-zip bags for 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven or air fryer.
Can I bake meatloaf in a loaf pan?
Before oven, we were used to make meatloaf in a pan. Here is the process for making this recipe in a pan:
- Firstly, line the loaf pan with parchment paper for easier removal.
- Shape the meatloaf mixture into the loaf pan.
- Avoid pressing it down too firmly.
- Bake the loaf by following the instructions but increasing the temperature up to 375°F.
- It will take more baking time.
What to serve with meatloaf?
- Potatos: Mashed potatoes, Baked potatoes, Roasted potatoes
- Salad: Coleslaw, Caesar salad
- Vaggies: Roasted carrots, roasted cauliflower, green beans
- Pasta: Baked Mac and Cheese, Buttered Pasta
Nutritions
| 338 kcal caleries | 17g carbs | 24g proteins | 19g fat |
FAQs
How much time will I require to bake meatloaf?
- lb Meatloaf: 45 minutes
- lb Meatloaf: 55 minutes
- lb meatloaf: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Can I use broccoli to serve with the meatloaf recipe?
Yes, you can use broccoli to serve it with the meatloaf recipe.
Conclusion
In short, above is the guideline to follow and bake the meatloaf recipe to get ideal results. So follow the recipe process and enjoy.