11 Meatloaf Recipes Your Family Will Love
There's a comforting meatloaf here for every occasion.
Meatloaf: A Divisive Comfort Food
Meatloaf is a divisive comfort food compared to chicken noodle soup and mac and cheese. You either love it or hate it. If you’re reading this article, I’m going to assume you’re in the “love it” category. I couldn’t agree more.
The market next to our house sells a meatloaf sandwich and it always reminds me of my dad. He would take a meatloaf sandwich to work with the leftovers from dinner. Honestly, I’m surprised that there were leftovers to take; I sure don’t have any when I make it for my family.
Tips for Making a Perfect Meatloaf
Meatloaf is an easy dinner to make but here are a couple of tips to ensure success. If you're adding vegetables to the loaf, make sure to dice them (the food processor is perfect for this job). Large pieces make it hard for the loaf to stay together. Also, I use an instant read thermometer to take the guesswork out of cooking it. An overcooked meatloaf can become dry and crumbly.
Traditional meatloaf is made with ground beef (or a blend of ground beef, pork, and veal) but you can use any type of ground meat to make a flavorful loaf. For the adventurous, below you'll find recipes using lamb, turkey, and plant-based meat products. Which one will you make first?
Delicious Meatloaf Recipes to Try
Sheet Pan Mini Meatloaves with Crispy Broccoli and Mustard Potatoes: Sheet pan meatloaf? Count me in! The meatloaf cooks in half the time and eliminates the need to cook sides to go along with it.
My Dad's Favorite Meatloaf: Our most popular meatloaf on the site! Take dad’s word for it and use beef along with Italian sausage in your meatloaf.
Vegetarian Meatloaf: You don’t have to be vegetarian to enjoy this plant-based meatloaf. Vegetarian ground beef, sauteed vegetables, and a ketchup glaze will bring you right back to mom’s kitchen.
Cuban Pulpeta: Pulpeta is a fried Cuban meatloaf that author Marisel Salazar eats around the holidays. “Rather than being baked and glazed like most meatloaves, it is fried on the stove top, then simmered in a sofrito to finish. Slice into the loaf and the cross-section of a hard boiled egg is revealed, a sort of culinary unboxing.”
Easy Meatloaf: This is a one bowl meatloaf; no chopping, sauteing, or extra dishes required. Plus, you can keep your hands clean by combining the ingredients with a mixer.
BBQ Meatloaf Bites: I can get meatloaf out of the oven and into hungry mouths quicker with the help of a muffin tin. Serve the meatball bites with steamed broccoli.
Greek Meatloaf with Spinach and Feta: Throw out the rule book and make meatloaf stuffed with cubes of feta and garlicky wilted spinach. Once it's out of the oven, make sure to let the meatloaf rest for 15 minutes for the cleanest slices.
Turkey Meatloaf: I’m always looking for ways to use ground turkey besides burgers. This meatloaf adds moisture and flavor by using grated zucchini, lemon, and sweet chili sauce.
BBQ Meatloaf: This classic meatloaf is punched up with a bourbon BBQ glaze. The food processor makes quick work of mincing the vegetables but if you don’t have one, use a box grater and grate them instead.
Stovetop Meatloaf with Mushroom Sauce: Marcella Hazan turned meatloaf into a showstopping main by cooking it on the stovetop and adding a mushroom sauce, and so can you. Serve with garlic mashed potatoes and crusty bread to sop up the extra sauce.
Spiced Lamb Meatloaf: I can’t get enough of the warm Moroccan spices in this ground lamb and beef meatloaf. Serve with couscous and a carrot salad.
