Best 8 Chef Johns Classic Meatloaf Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Meatloaf is a classic comfort food, and Chef John's recipe is one of the most beloved. His version is incredibly moist and flavorful, thanks to a combination of ground beef, pork, and veal, as well as a blend of herbs and spices. The meatloaf is also topped with a sweet and tangy ketchup glaze that adds a delicious crust. If you're looking for the perfect meatloaf recipe, look no further than Chef John's classic meatloaf.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

CHEF JOHN'S MEATBALL-INSPIRED MEATLOAF



Chef John's Meatball-Inspired Meatloaf image

The main point of this Italian meatball-inspired meatloaf is to show you what happens when you make meatloaf like your grandparents did. During the Great Depression, this type of dish was a popular strategy for stretching what little meat you had into as filling a meal as possible.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Meatloaf Recipes

Time 2h

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 onion, diced
salt to taste
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ cups very dry white bread crumbs
1 ½ cups milk
2 pounds ground chuck
½ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 ounces grated Parmesan cheese
2 large eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
3 cups tomato sauce, or to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Heat olive oil and butter together in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onion with a pinch of salt in hot oil and butter until onion is golden brown and soft, 5 to 10 minutes. Add garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove skillet from heat and cool onion mixture to room temperature.
  • Place bread crumbs in a large bowl. Add milk and stir with a fork until combined. Let sit until all of the milk is absorbed into the breadcrumbs, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Combine ground chuck, cooled onion mixture, parsley, Parmesan cheese, eggs, 2 teaspoons salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a bowl. Grab a handful of breadcrumbs and squeeze very gently to remove excess milk. Repeat with remaining breadcrumbs, transfer breadcrumbs to ground chuck mixture, and discard excess milk. Stir ground chuck mixture until evenly combined.
  • Turn chuck mixture out into prepared baking dish, and shape meat into a 3x4x10-inch meatloaf. Pour tomato sauce over the loaf and into the bottom of the dish.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, about 1 hour 10 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Let meatloaf rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 286.3 calories, Carbohydrate 19.4 g, Cholesterol 85.8 mg, Fat 14.5 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 19.6 g, SaturatedFat 5.9 g, Sodium 1129.3 mg, Sugar 6.3 g

CLASSIC MEATLOAF



Classic Meatloaf image

Keep this meatloaf recipe handy: It's the only one you'll need.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 1/2 pounds ground meatloaf mix (equal parts ground beef, pork and veal or turkey)
1 cup dried breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 medium onion, grated
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons light brown sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
  • Combine the meatloaf mix, breadcrumbs, parsley, eggs, onion, garlic, 1/4 cup of the ketchup, 1 tablespoon of the Worcestershire, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a large mixing bowl. Using your hands, mix together until well combined.
  • Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet and form it into a compact oval-shaped loaf about 9 inches by 5 inches. Bake the meatloaf for 30 minutes.
  • Stir the brown sugar together with the remaining 1/4 cup ketchup and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire in a small bowl for the glaze. Brush the top and sides of the meatloaf all over with the glaze. Return to the oven and bake until the glaze starts to caramelize and a thermometer inserted in the center of the meatloaf registers 160 degrees F, about 25 minutes more. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

JEFF AND GEOFFREY'S ULTIMATE MEATLOAF



Jeff and Geoffrey's Ultimate Meatloaf image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h40m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 23

Nonstick cooking spray, for spraying pan
8 ounces ground beef
8 ounces ground lamb
8 ounces ground pork
1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, finely chopped
1/2 cup finely diced white onions (about 1 small)
1/2 cup coarsely crushed saltines (8 to 10 crackers)
1/2 cup whole-milk Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons finely minced fresh mint
2 tablespoons finely minced fresh oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large egg
1 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Tabasco
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup crumbled feta
Mint Tzatziki, recipe follows, for serving
1 English cucumber
Kosher salt
1 cup whole-milk Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons minced fresh mint
1 clove garlic, minced or pressed

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8 1/2-by-4 1/2-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Line the pan lengthwise with a long strip of parchment, rubbing it to adhere it to the pan and making sure it is long enough to hang over the ends of the pan.
  • Put the beef, lamb and pork into a large mixing bowl and add the olives, onions, crushed saltines, yogurt, mint, oregano, cumin, garlic and egg. Add the hot sauce, salt and some ground pepper and very gently mix with your hands until the ingredients are evenly incorporated. Add the feta and mix lightly, incorporating the feta in whole crumbles if possible. Try not to overmix; it can make the meatloaf tough.
  • Transfer the meat mixture to the pan and press it gently to eliminate any air pockets. Set the loaf pan on a baking sheet and bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 155 degrees F, 40 to 45 minutes.
  • Let the meatloaf cool in the pan for about 20 minutes before using the parchment paper to lift it out of the pan and transfer it to a serving platter. Slice while warm and serve with the Mint Tzatziki on the side.
  • Grate the cucumber on the large holes of a box grater into a large fine-mesh strainer set over a bowl. Sprinkle the cucumber generously with salt, tossing a few times with your hands to evenly distribute it; let stand for 10 minutes to drain.
  • Using your hands, squeeze the cucumber to drain any excess moisture. Transfer to a mixing bowl and add the yogurt, mint and garlic. Stir well to combine, taste and adjust the seasoning with salt if necessary.
  • Store the tzatziki in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

CHEF RAMSAY'S MEATLOAF RECIPE - (3.9/5)



Chef Ramsay's Meatloaf Recipe - (3.9/5) image

Provided by flipper26

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/4 cup butter
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 celery stalks, finely sliced
1 green pepper, finely chopped
4 spring onions, sliced
2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chilli sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup tomato ketchup
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork or sausage meat
2 free-range eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup breadcrumbs
Freshly ground salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Melt the butter in a large saucepan and add the onion, celery, pepper, spring onions, garlic, parsley, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves. Cook over a gentle heat, stirring occasionally, for about 6 minutes. Add the evaporated milk and ketchup and continue to cook for a further 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Discard the bay leaves. Preheat the oven to 350° F (180°F.) Place the beef and pork in a large bowl, add the eggs, breadcrumbs and vegetable mixture, and season. Place the mixture in an un-greased roasting dish and bake for 25 minutes. Raise the temperature 400°F and bake for a further 35-40 minutes. Serve from the roasting dish.

JOHN'S MEAT LOAF



John's Meat Loaf image

You know how everyone always says, "I never liked meat loaf until I tried this one" -- well, here's another one. This is truly the only meat loaf I and my husband eat. It's different and full of flavor. The recipe was given to my sister by a good friend of her's, hence the name.

Provided by Cindy W.

Categories     Pork

Time 2h

Yield 1 loaf, 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 lb lean ground beef
1 lb maple sausage
1 lb ground turkey
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
1 cup dry Stove Top stuffing mix (cornbread flavor is best)
1/4 cup honey-flavored barbecue sauce (I use Kraft brand)
salt
pepper
garlic powder
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Steps:

  • Mix all ingredients together, keeping mixture light and chunky. Don't overmix.
  • Place mixture in ungreased loaf pan. Dent top of loaf and baste with extra Honey BBQ sauce.
  • Place loaf in oven and bake at 400-425 for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes for a single loaf. (Mixture can be divided into two loaf pans. Use 350 degree oven and shorten cooking time to 40 minutes.).
  • Let loaf rest for 10 minutes before removing to serving plate for slicing. (If leaving in loaf pan, drain excess oil and juices from pan after meat rests.).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 402.9, Fat 22.7, SaturatedFat 8, Cholesterol 219.1, Sodium 250.6, Carbohydrate 1.9, Sugar 0.5, Protein 44.7

CHEF JOHN'S ZOMBIE MEATLOAF



Chef John's Zombie Meatloaf image

After seeing various versions of this Halloween-themed meatloaf on social media over the years, I decided it was time to post my very own. I've seen many approaches to this, such as covered in 'blood', or mummified in strips of pastry, but the ones wrapped in bacon always looked the most realistic, and the most appetizing.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Meatloaf Recipes     Pork Meatloaf Recipes

Time 2h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 21

½ cup unsalted butter
1 ½ cups diced yellow onion
½ cup diced celery
1 (8 ounce) package brown mushrooms, finely chopped
1 tablespoon kosher salt, divided
3 cloves minced garlic
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 pounds lean ground beef
¾ cup plain dry bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
3 tablespoons buttermilk
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 onion
2 whole cloves
1 pound bacon strips
¼ cup barbeque sauce
¼ cup ketchup
1 dash hot sauce, or to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Melt butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Saute diced onion, celery, mushrooms, and 1 teaspoon salt until the mixture dries out and starts to turn golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in garlic, black pepper, thyme, and cayenne pepper. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes.
  • Combine remaining 2 teaspoons salt, ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, buttermilk, 2 tablespoons ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl. Add cooled vegetable mixture. Mix with your hands until thoroughly combined. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator.
  • Slice 2 round sides, about 1/2-inch-thick, off the second onion for the zombie eyes. Push 1 clove into the center of each slice. Cut a 1-inch-wide section off the remaining onion and dice into chunks to form zombie teeth.
  • Transfer meatloaf mixture to the prepared baking sheet and use damp hands to shape into a zombie skull shape that is 3 to 4 inches tall. Form indents to represent the eyes, nose, and mouth. Drape bacon over the face, covering most of the meatloaf. Add onion eyes and teeth. Tuck in loose ends of bacon under the sides with a spatula. Cover the onion eyes with aluminum foil to prevent browning.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 155 degrees F (68 degrees C), about 1 hour.
  • Stir barbeque sauce, 1/4 cup ketchup, and hot sauce together in a bowl to make the blood sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 640.8 calories, Carbohydrate 21.5 g, Cholesterol 196 mg, Fat 40.6 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 46.1 g, SaturatedFat 18 g, Sodium 1600 mg, Sugar 8.9 g

MR. JOHN'S MEATLOAF



Mr. John's Meatloaf image

The chorizo sausage nestled in the center of the meatloaf really sets this dish apart. If you cannot find fresh chorizo, substitute any fresh, spicy sausage.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Beef Recipes     Ground Beef Recipes

Time 1h30m

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 pound ground beef chuck
1/2 pound ground pork
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
1 green bell pepper (ribs and seeds removed), finely chopped
1/2 cup heavy cream
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 tablespoon Creole Seasoning
8 ounces fresh chorizo sausage (not smoked)
1/2 cup bottled chili sauce

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil; set aside. In a large bowl, combine beef, pork, eggs, onion, breadcrumbs, bell pepper, cream, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and creole seasoning. Gently mix to combine (do not overmix).
  • Place half of meat mixture on prepared sheet; form into a 9-by-4-inch loaf. Using a paring knife, remove casing from chorizo (keeping the shape intact). Place chorizo lengthwise down center of loaf. Cover with rest of meat mixture, enclosing the chorizo and patting to adhere.
  • Brush chili sauce over meatloaf. Bake, basting occasionally with pan juices, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in center of loaf registers 160 degrees, about 1 hour. Let rest 15 minutes before serving.

CLASSIC MEATLOAF



Classic Meatloaf image

The secrets to this meatloaf are fresh, very finely diced vegetables that give it moisture and flavor--and a light touch in mixing together the ingredients. This hearty meatloaf is the perfect meal for cool fall and winter evenings, served with mashed potatoes and simple mushroom gravy.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Meatloaf Recipes     Beef Meatloaf Recipes

Time 1h15m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 carrot, coarsely chopped
1 rib celery, coarsely chopped
½ onion, coarsely chopped
½ red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
4 white mushrooms, coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
2 ½ pounds ground chuck
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup plain bread crumbs
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
hot pepper sauce to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Place the carrot, celery, onion, red bell pepper, mushrooms, and garlic in a food processor, and pulse until very finely chopped, almost to a puree. Place the minced vegetables into a large mixing bowl, and mix in ground chuck, Worcestershire sauce, and egg. Add Italian herbs, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix gently with a wooden spoon to incorporate vegetables and egg into the meat. Pour in bread crumbs. With your hand, gently mix in the crumbs with your fingertips just until combined, about 1 minute.
  • Form the meatloaf into a ball. Pour olive oil into a baking dish and place the ball of meat into the dish. Shape the ball into a loaf, about 4 inches high by 6 inches across.
  • Bake in the preheated oven just until the meatloaf is hot, about 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and hot sauce. Stir until the brown sugar has dissolved.
  • Remove the meatloaf from the oven. With the back of a spoon, smooth the glaze onto the top of the meatloaf, then pull a little bit of glaze down the sides of the meatloaf with the back of the spoon.
  • Return meatloaf to oven, and bake until the loaf is no longer pink inside and the glaze has baked onto the loaf, 30 to 40 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the loaf should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Cooking time will depend on shape and thickness of the meatloaf.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 284.1 calories, Carbohydrate 14.8 g, Cholesterol 85.3 mg, Fat 14.9 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 21.6 g, SaturatedFat 5.6 g, Sodium 755.4 mg, Sugar 5.3 g

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your meatloaf.
  • Don't overmix the meatloaf mixture. Overmixing can make the meatloaf tough.
  • Use a variety of spices and herbs to flavor the meatloaf. This will give it a more complex flavor.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different ingredients. There are many different ways to make meatloaf, so feel free to get creative.
  • Let the meatloaf rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This will help the juices redistribute throughout the meatloaf and make it more tender.

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 delicious meatloaf that your family and friends will love. So next time you're looking for a hearty and satisfying meal, give meatloaf a try. You won't be disappointed.

Related Topics