Welcome to the ultimate guide to creating the best meatloaf, a classic dish beloved for its comforting flavors and versatility. Whether you prefer a traditional recipe or a more adventurous twist, this article will provide you with expert tips and tricks to ensure a perfectly cooked, moist, and flavorful meatloaf every time. From selecting the right ingredients to mastering the cooking techniques, we'll take you on a culinary journey that will elevate your meatloaf skills to the next level. So, get ready to tantalize your taste buds and impress your family and friends with a mouthwatering meatloaf that will become a staple in your recipe collection.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
BEST EVER MEAT LOAF
The best meat loaf I have ever found. Try it and you will see.
Provided by Matt O
Categories Main Dish Recipes Meatloaf Recipes Beef Meatloaf Recipes
Time 1h20m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Whisk eggs, milk, salt, and ground black pepper in a large bowl. Add crumbled bread and stir until dissolved. Mix ground beef, onion, Cheddar cheese, and carrot into bread mixture; transfer mixture to a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Combine brown sugar, ketchup, and mustard in a small bowl; spread over meat mixture.
- Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 409.5 calories, Carbohydrate 22.3 g, Cholesterol 155 mg, Fat 22.7 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 28.4 g, SaturatedFat 10.3 g, Sodium 1227.3 mg, Sugar 14.4 g
BEST-EVER MEAT LOAF
The combination of onion, carrots, parsley and cheese-plus the tomato-mustard topping-makes this meat loaf really colorful. The recipe lends itself easily to being doubled or halved to suit the number you're cooking for, and it freezes well, too. It's the best meatloaf ever! -Anna Baker, Blaine, Washington
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a large bowl, beat eggs. Add milk and bread; let stand until liquid is absorbed. Stir in the onion, carrot, cheese and seasonings. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. , Shape into a 7-1/2x3-1/2x2-1/2-in. loaf in a shallow baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 45 minutes. , Combine the topping ingredients; spoon half of the mixture over meat loaf. Bake 30 minutes longer or until meat is no longer pink and a thermometer reads 160°, occasionally spooning remaining topping over loaf. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 398 calories, Fat 17g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 164mg cholesterol, Sodium 771mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29g carbohydrate (22g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 30g protein.
MOM'S BEST MEAT LOAF
This is no ordinary meat loaf - the recipe is so good it's been passed down in our family for three generations. The zesty seasoning gives the flavor a spark. I remember Mom's delicious meals. She loved to serve this meat loaf. -Linda Nilsen, Anoka, Minnesota
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h25m
Yield 6-8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the first 11 ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Press into an ungreased 8x4-in. loaf pan. , Bake at 350° for 1 hour. Drizzle top of loaf with ketchup; bake 15 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 160°.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 179 calories, Fat 8g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 72mg cholesterol, Sodium 569mg sodium, Carbohydrate 7g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 19g protein.
BEST MEAT LOAF
If you're like my husband, you enjoy a hearty meat loaf. Everyone who's ever tried it agrees it lives up to its name. This delicious dish doesn't last long!-Dorothy Pritchett, Wills Point, Texas
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h45m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the first nine ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture; mix well. Combine the milk, eggs and Worcestershire sauce; mix into the beef mixture. Add crumbs., Grease a large sheet of foil. Place bacon on foil. Mold meat mixture into a loaf and place over bacon. Seal foil tightly around loaf. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight. , Place wrapped loaf on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 1 hour. Open foil; drain juices. Combine sauce ingredients and spoon over loaf. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes longer or until no pink remains and a thermometer reads 160°.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 394 calories, Fat 23g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 139mg cholesterol, Sodium 1094mg sodium, Carbohydrate 17g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 28g protein.
MY MOM'S BEST MEAT LOAF
The Rice Krispies used in this recipe are my mom's secret ingredient. While they may seem odd or out of place, they help hold the meat loaf together. And once they are cooked, no one realizes they're even there. -Kelly Simmons, Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h10m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, mix chili sauce and ketchup. In a large bowl, combine Rice Krispies, onion, green pepper, cheese, egg, salt and pepper; stir in half of the chili sauce mixture. Add beef; mix lightly but thoroughly., Transfer beef mixture to an ungreased 9x5-in. loaf pan. Make a shallow indentation down center of loaf. Spread remaining chili sauce mixture over loaf, being sure to fill indentation., Bake 60-70 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°; use a turkey baster to remove drippings every 20 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.
Nutrition Facts :
MATTHEW'S BEST EVER MEAT LOAF
This is comfort food at its best. Mushrooms, beef stock, tomato paste, Worcestershire and soy sauce help boost the meaty flavor of this classic diner staple. -Matthew Hass
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h45m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Combine bread and stock; let stand until liquid is absorbed. , Meanwhile, pulse mushrooms, onion, carrot, celery and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add mushroom mixture; cook and stir until vegetables are tender and liquid is evaporated, 5-6 minutes. Stir in tomato paste; cook 1 minute longer. Cool slightly., Add next 7 ingredients and cooked vegetables to bread mixture; mix thoroughly. Place a 12x7-in. piece of foil on a rack in a foil-lined rimmed baking pan. Transfer meat mixture to the foil and shape into a 10x6-in. loaf. , Bake 1 hour. Mix together glaze ingredients; spread over loaf. Bake until a thermometer reads 160°, about 15-25 minutes longer. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing., Freeze option: Shape meat loaf on a plastic wrap-lined baking sheet; wrap and freeze until firm. Remove from pan and wrap securely in foil; return to freezer. To use, unwrap meat loaf and bake as directed, increasing initial baking time to 2 hours. Mix together glaze ingredients; spread over loaf. Bake until a thermometer inserted in center reads 160°, 15-25 minutes longer. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 341 calories, Fat 18g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 119mg cholesterol, Sodium 832mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 25g protein.
Tips:
- Use a combination of ground meats. This will give your meatloaf a more complex flavor and texture. Some good combinations include ground beef and ground pork, ground beef and ground veal, or ground turkey and ground chicken.
- Soak your bread crumbs in milk before adding them to the meatloaf mixture. This will help to bind the ingredients together and make the meatloaf moist.
- Don't overmix the meatloaf mixture. Overmixing can make the meatloaf tough. Mix the ingredients just until they are combined.
- Shape the meatloaf mixture into a loaf and place it in a baking dish. Bake the meatloaf at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour, or until it is cooked through.
- Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This will help to keep the juices in the meatloaf.
Conclusion:
Meatloaf is a classic comfort food that is easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a few simple tips, you can make a meatloaf that is moist, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. So next time you're looking for a hearty and satisfying meal, give meatloaf a try.
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