Recipe Meatloaf Recipes

[ReneeT]

MMM.... aka: Marvelous Meatloaf

I was never a fan of meatloaf until a friend stayed with Hubby and I for a few months. He asked for meatloaf, and was appalled that I didn't have a recipe - so here is his recipe:

2 lbs ground beef
1 packet onion soup mix
1 8oz can tomato sauce (I use ketchup)
1/3 cup bread crumbs
1 egg

Mix all ingredients together, let rest in fridge for a bit to let flavors meld.

I use this recipe for:
Meatloaf
Meatloaf burgers
Meatballs
BBQ meatballs
Stuffed peppers

If I have leftover cooked meatloaf, I crumble it up and add assorted seasonings to make:
Taco meat
Enchilada filling
Sloppy Joes
SOS (crumbled meatloaf in gravy over mashed potatoes)
Add to veggie soup
Probably other things

 

[WalknTrot]

I generally don't use a recipe for most things, including meatloaf. Just a loose "philosophy".

Ya need:

Ground meat. Beef or pork or both.
Eggs. One or two or enough to make it all sticky.
Milk. Because it works.
A starch binder. Oatmeal, cooked rice, bread crumbs, cracker crumbs. Any will serve the purpose.
Spices.

Mix it all together to the right "feel"/consistency - (where the milk comes in handy).

I prefer to either top with ketchup, or slices of bacon laid across the top. The bacon is my preferred method.

 

[patriotgal]

Don't forget onion and garlic. Mix up some brown sugar and ketchup for the topping.

 

[Kathy in FL]

I used to cook meatloaf on a regular basis when the kids were all little. But I used the really good stuff to keep the grease down. These days I might as well grill steaks. Sigh.

My mother in law made the best meatloaf and then leftovers were meatloaf sandwiches. Yum.

 

[patriotgal]

Made it on a regular basis too when kids were home. Would mix it up by adding mushrooms or by putting a layer of cheese in the middle, etc. Didn't matter what variation I used, it disappeared fast. Always used 3 to 4 lbs of meat. Now I make a 1 lb version for us but grown kids expect meatloaf to be one of the meats at every family get together. A with-ketchup batch and a without-ketchup batch. Couple of the grands were ketchup traumatized in childhood.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

This is the recipe I used last night.

Crockpot Meatloaf

2 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup breadcrumbs, I use store bought.
1 packet of onion soup mix
2 lbs. ground beef
1/4 cup ketchup

I use a crockpot liner and spray it good with non-stick spray.

In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, and soup mix. Mix well. Add ground beef. Mix well. I squish it all up with my hands to mix it good. Shape into a loaf that doesn't touch the sides of the crockpot. Cook on low for 6 hours. 10 minutes before it's done, spread with ketchup. Cover and finish cooking.

We loved the firm texture, but it needed salt, black pepper, and garlic to add a bit more flavor. You can use your own judgement on that, though. It was really good, and it will be my "go to" meatloaf recipe from now on. Before taking it out of the crockpot, I cut it in half for easy lifting with a wide spatula.

 

[patriotgal]

I might try my favorite recipe in same. Autocorrect keeps changing it to crackpot.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I might try my favorite recipe in same. Autocorrect keeps changing it to crackpot.

I've been looking for new recipes, and to my surprise, most foods that are cooked in the oven can be cooked just as well in a crockpot. I found several casserole recipes that are made in crockpots. I love it, because there is no messy cleanup afterwards if you use liners. I don't see why you can't use your own meatloaf recipes in the crockpot. If I had only one choice between a microwave and a crockpot, I'd choose the crockpot.

 

[nomifyle]

My recipe is about the same as ReneeTs except I use oatmeal instead of bread crumbs. DH's deceased wife put boiled eggs in the middle and he keeps telling me about it, so I haven't made any in a long time. He mostly doesn't like what I cook but I may give the meatloaf a shot in the crockpot. I finally found the crockpot liners, never could find them at wm so I ordered them from amazon. We both like meatloaf.

 

[aviax2]

This is the recipe I’ve used for over 45 years and the one DH prefers. I like to try different recipes from time to time because I get bored but always come back to this one.

Saucy Meatloaf

1 egg beaten (sometimes I use 2 depending on the size of the eggs)
2 Tablespoons of ketchup
1 Tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
1 & 3/4 teaspoons of salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
3/4 teaspoon of chili powder
1/3 cup of diced onion
1/2 cup of milk
1 cup of oats (I‘ve used one minute oats or old fashioned oats, depending on what was on hand)
1 1/2 lb of ground beef

Combine first 9 ingredients, add ground beef and mix well and shape or pat down into a loaf pan which is how I make it. Bake at 350 until done, for me that’s at least an hour.

Saucy topping
1 Tablespoon of brown sugar
4 Tablespoons of ketchup

Mix and spread over cooked meatloaf and bake 10 minutes longer.

I also use about the same amount of diced bell pepper because we like it. When my oldest DD was little she would sometimes ask me to add tiny cubes of Velveeta to the mix. And sometimes when I want a change I’ll cut back on the salt and add a Lipton onion soup mix, the beefy onion is a good one.

 

[patriotgal]

I use oatmeal too. Dash of chili powder, fresh onions and garlic.

 

[patriotgal]

This is the recipe I’ve used for over 45 years and the one DH prefers. I like to try different recipes from time to time because I get bored but always come back to this one.

Saucy Meatloaf

1 egg beaten (sometimes I use 2 depending on the size of the eggs)
2 Tablespoons of ketchup
1 Tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
1 & 3/4 teaspoons of salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
3/4 teaspoon of chili powder
1/3 cup of diced onion
1/2 cup of milk
1 cup of oats (I‘ve used one minute oats or old fashioned oats, depending on what was on hand)
1 1/2 lb of ground beef

Combine first 9 ingredient, add ground beef and mix well and shape or pat down into a loaf pan which is how I make it. Bake at 350 until done, for me that’s at least an hour.

Saucy topping
1 Tablespoon of brown sugar
4 Tablespoons of ketchup

Mix and spread over cooked meatloaf and bake 10 minutes longer.

I also use about the same amount of diced bell pepper because we like it. When my oldest DD was little she would sometimes ask me to add tiny cubes of Velveeta to the mix. And sometimes when I want a change I’ll cut back on the salt and add a Lipton onion soup mix, the beefy onion is a good one.

You, ma'am, are using my recipe.

 

[aviax2]

Haha, how about that? I’m not entirely sure but I believe I came across this recipe in a booklet that came with an electric skillet that was a wedding gift back in 1976!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Ya'll are all giving me new ideas when using my recipe. Adding bacon across the top and omitting the ketchup at the end, using Italian breadcrumbs instead of plain, using beefy onion soup mix, and adding finely chopped bell peppers!

Who said meatloaf had to be boring, LOL!

 

[aviax2]

I've been looking for new recipes, and to my surprise, most foods that are cooked in the oven can be cooked just as well in a crockpot. I found several casserole recipes that are made in crockpots. I love it, because there is no messy cleanup afterwards if you use liners. I don't see why you can't use your own meatloaf recipes in the crockpot. If I had only one choice between a microwave and a crockpot, I'd choose the crockpot.

I don’t think I’ve ever made meatloaf in the crockpot but I‘ll have to give it go. Last year with the excessive heat we had we went months and months without using our oven. We used either the crockpot, instant pot, stove top, countertop oven and only when necessary we used the Nesco out in the garage. I expect we’ll be doing the same before too much longer. We’re just not sure how much longer until our a/c unit will hold up and we want to keep as much heat out of the house as possible.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I don’t think I’ve ever made meatloaf in the crockpot but I‘ll have to give it go. Last year with the excessive heat we had we went months and months without using our oven. We used either the crockpot, instant pot, stove top, countertop oven and only when necessary we used the Nesco out in the garage. I expect we’ll be doing the same before too much longer. We’re just not sure how much longer until our a/c unit will hold up and we want to keep as much heat out of the house as possible.

I use my crockpot year around, especially during the hot summer months. It really saves on electricity, too, in more ways than one. I try not to ever use my oven in the summer, either. If my kitchen were large enough to have more countertop space, I would have one of those new-fangled toaster oven/ air fryers/grills all in one! Plus, a Kitchen Aid mixer.

 

[patriotgal]

I have a spare electric Range in garage. I use it more than the one in the kitchen.

 

[TxGal]

We used the copycat recipe for Cracker Barrel's meatloaf, tasted exactly the same to us. I still have it somewhere, but we rarely eat beef anymore.

 

[parsonswife]

I add some crushed pineapple to ours

 

[Kathy in FL]

I add some crushed pineapple to ours

Yuummmm

 

[skwentnaflyer]

Accidentally had it with raisins once, made oatmeal with raisins and MIL used the leftover in meatloaf. Wasn't bad, actually

 

[ComCamGuy]

Americas test kitchen has a great one I use as my base

The meat- half ground beef, quarter veal, and quarter pork
Two eggs
16 saltine crackers, crumbled
Quarter cup precooked chopped onions
Quarter cup plain Bulgarian yogurt
Combine all and shape into a loaf on a sheet pan

The sauce- a bottle of chili sauce (spiced katsup) heated in a saucepan, to which a quarter cup of brown sugar and a teaspoon of Worcestershire and a dash of liquid smoke

Spread a thin layer of the sauce on the loaf, then cover the entire loaf with a layer of bacon strips

It all goes in the oven 350 for an hour, at the end of the hour, spread a little more sauce over the bacon, back into the oven for ten more minutes.

Pull from the oven and let it rest 10-15

Slice and serve with the option for a last drizzle of the sauce

 

[Border Collie Dad]

1 packet of onion soup mix

Those make it too salty for my taste.
I look at a lot of Allrecipes recipes and so many of them use the seasoning mixes.

While they look good, I just click off them.
No offense

 

[nomifyle]

I got 4 pounds of ground venison and ground pork out of the freezer to thaw. I was going to put a meatloaf in the crockpot for tomorrow but DH remembered church is having lunch tomorrow for pastors birthday, so I'll cook the meatloaf for Monday. And I'm thinking about putting some green beans along side of the loaf to cook down with it.

Its been over a year since my brother brought me enough greens beans for a year and I've not used very many of them.

 

[Idaho 2O]

I love meatloaf with brown gravy on a slice of white bread. I cannot stand catsup on meatloaf.

 

[Krayola]

Just this week I ran across a recipe for meatloaf on youtube that uses Stovetop stuffing. I think I'm gonna try making it sometime soon.

 

[Wildwood]

My recipe is a little different from any posted so I'll add it. Like WalknTrot, I don't really use a strict recipe so this is approximate.

Meat Loaf
4 lbs lean ground beef
around a cup of ketchup (this one goes inside the meat loaf)
worcestershire to taste...several good shakes for me
soy sauce to taste...also several good shakes
a sleeve of ritz crackers crushed
1/2 or more of a large onion grated...the onion haters have no idea it's even in there
around 1/2 to one cup diced bell pepper
garlic salt and cavenders to taste...since I add no salt, I'm not stingy with these
2 eggs

Topping
a second cup of ketchup or enough to cover the entire top about 1/4" deep.

I mix all that up really well and put it in my extra large pyrex pan, shaping it like a loaf and then form a small valley right down the middle because that much meat is hard to get done in the middle if I don't. I leave enough room on the sides for any fat to run off. I spread the ketchup on top right from the start because the sugar in the ketchup caramelizes just a little during the long bake and I like that...I cook it for about two hours at 350. I like to have time for it to rest for at least 15 or 20 minutes after I take it out of the oven. By then it's cool enough to pour off any fat that may be in the pan.

I know that's a lot of ketchup but DH loves it and so does the rest of my bunch. The ketchup inside the meat loaf really adds an extra depth of taste that I like...if it were up to me, there would be no ketchup on top. I only cook it now when the kids will be around because I can't hardly make it on a smaller scale. If there's any left, it never goes to waste. We love meat loaf sandwiches. I use to always serve it with sweet potatoes and ford hook lima beans but nowdays, we are more likely to have it with mac and cheese, green beans and homemade rolls. Both DIL's and grands love mac and cheese.

I forgot the eggs the last time I made it and I could tell.

 

[Txkstew]

I use my Instant Pot. 3lbs 80/20 hamburger or 2lbs hamburger with 1lb of fresh ground pork. 1/2 large onion chopped fine. 1 large fresh jalapeño de-seeded and pith removed, chopped fine. 2 large eggs. Bread crumbs by feel. Half pack of onion soup mix. Tony Chachere's creole seasoning (can be bought online if not in your area) by feel (careful, it's salty). Black pepper and garlic powder by feel. 1 large can of crushed tomatoes. 1 table spoon Italian seasoning and pinch of Rosemary.

Mix everything by hand in the Instant Pot except Italian seasoning and Rosemary. Only use 1/3 can or less of the crushed tomato sauce in the meat.

Form the meat mixture into a dome and pour the remaining tomato sauce over the top. Add Italian and Rosemary seasoning to top sauce. Little salt, pepper and garlic to sauce as well. Cover with glass lid and power on low.

After cooking gets going, take a spatula and gently loosen meat mixture from the bottom to prevent sticking and scorching. Let it rip for a while. When cooked through, drain most of the fat off into a bowl without dumping the whole thing out into the sink. Might take three hands to do that.

Feeds a bunch of folks, or leftovers for later.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Americas test kitchen has a great one I use as my base

The meat- half ground beef, quarter veal, and quarter pork
Two eggs
16 saltine crackers, crumbled
Quarter cup precooked chopped onions
Quarter cup plain Bulgarian yogurt
Combine all and shape into a loaf on a sheet pan

The sauce- a bottle of chili sauce (spiced katsup) heated in a saucepan, to which a quarter cup of brown sugar and a teaspoon of Worcestershire and a dash of liquid smoke

Spread a thin layer of the sauce on the loaf, then cover the entire loaf with a layer of bacon strips

It all goes in the oven 350 for an hour, at the end of the hour, spread a little more sauce over the bacon, back into the oven for ten more minutes.

Pull from the oven and let it rest 10-15

Slice and serve with the option for a last drizzle of the sauce

What the heck is bulgarian yogurt? LOL

 

[raven]

This is the recipe I’ve used for over 45 years and the one DH prefers. I like to try different recipes from time to time because I get bored but always come back to this one.

Saucy Meatloaf

1 egg beaten (sometimes I use 2 depending on the size of the eggs)
2 Tablespoons of ketchup
1 Tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
1 & 3/4 teaspoons of salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
3/4 teaspoon of chili powder
1/3 cup of diced onion
1/2 cup of milk
1 cup of oats (I‘ve used one minute oats or old fashioned oats, depending on what was on hand)
1 1/2 lb of ground beef

Combine first 9 ingredients, add ground beef and mix well and shape or pat down into a loaf pan which is how I make it. Bake at 350 until done, for me that’s at least an hour.

Saucy topping
1 Tablespoon of brown sugar
4 Tablespoons of ketchup

Mix and spread over cooked meatloaf and bake 10 minutes longer.

I also use about the same amount of diced bell pepper because we like it. When my oldest DD was little she would sometimes ask me to add tiny cubes of Velveeta to the mix. And sometimes when I want a change I’ll cut back on the salt and add a Lipton onion soup mix, the beefy onion is a good one.

that's the one mom used to make
I was looking for it last week.
thanks

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Those make it too salty for my taste.
I look at a lot of Allrecipes recipes and so many of them use the seasoning mixes.

While they look good, I just click off them.
No offense

Using the onion soup mix in my particular recipe didn't make it salty at all. Next time I make it, I'm adding salt and garlic salt to it for added taste. I don't overdo the salt when I'm cooking, but I do like enough to add flavor.

 

[ComCamGuy]

What the heck is bulgarian yogurt? LOL

Difference Between Bulgarian Yogurt, Greek Yogurt, and Skyr – Bacillus Bulgaricus

You may be wondering how these yogurts can be so different when they all contain the same two bacterial strains: Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. The fascinating difference between Bulgarian, Greek, and Skyr yogurts lies in the balance of the bacterial strains — the ratio...

bacillusbulgaricus.com

https://www.heb.com/product-detail/white-mountain-bulgarian-whole-milk-probiotic-yogurt/404980

 

[Wildwood]

What the heck is bulgarian yogurt? LOL

It's the good stuff just like Bulgarian buttermilk. I think the cultures are more beneficial. Our family doctor use to have my sister drink the Bulgarian buttermilk for the ulcers in her mouth. That was years ago before we had the options we do now. It helped a lot.

 

[Millwright]

Roll the meatloaf mix out flat.

Put a layer of thin sliced prosciutto ham and smoked gouda cheese on it, then roll it up in a loaf and cook.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Roll the meatloaf mix out flat.

Put a layer of thin sliced prosciutto ham and smoked gouda cheese on it, then roll it up in a loaf and cook.

Oh geez. Thanks. Not like I don't have enough to do. Hubs was reading over my shoulder and now has added to my to do/to try list. Now even the meatloaf is gonna get tweaked. LOL

 

[Publius]

I never thought there would so many variations to making a meatloaf.
I cook it often here and keep it simple just Italian bread crumbs, onion powder, garlic powder, some Italian seasoning, a pinch of nutmeg and no more than a pinch as it will make it taste too salty, add one egg once all the other stuff is mixed in and add ketchup to the top and bake for an hour at 350 degrees (I really toss this tougher). Have to use some judgement on time and temperature as some ovens bake differently.
During the warmer months I cook it in a Dutch Oven and comes out great every time, wife likes it and son can't get enough of it.

 

[Profit of Doom]

Couple of the grands were ketchup traumatized in childhood.

You want trauma? I’ll give you trauma! Never had cheese as a child. Neighbors made sandwiches, looked like apricot jam. Loved apricot jam. Used to, anyway. Grilled cheese is not apricot jam.

 

[Border Collie Dad]

Coincidentally, I just watched a handful of smoked meatloaf recipes on YouTube.
Barbecue Pit Boys do a lot of bacon weave meatloaf.
I was looking for some ideas.
My daughter doesn't like regular meatloaf but does like some smoked loaf

 

[nomifyle]

I used the recipe in the OP and it was quite good, I did make a mistake of not mixing in the catsup and put it on top. I'll mix it in next time when I make it next week.

 

[MaisieD]

I learned a valuable lesson when I made meatloaf the other day. Never tell himself all of the ingredients in the meatloaf.
I used the recipe in the OP with one exception, I used half beef and half ground turkey. We had a nice dinner. After we ate himself said that was the best meatloaf I ever made for him.
Then I said that it was made with half ground turkey. Wrong thing to say. Himself wouldn't touch it after that!
It was a very tasty meatloaf and it didn't fall apart. Oh well, live and learn...