Top 10 Must-try Meatloaf Recipes (2024)

When it’s a comfort that you seek, nothing satisfies quite like a classic meatloaf. It reminds you of your mother, grandmother, or your favorite aunt. And they are always there to comfort you.

One of the classic American dinners is meatloaf. Everybody has a meatloaf recipe, but honestly, it’s about as good as it gets. It takes all the best seasoning and additions and puts them in a meatloaf topped with the most delicious glaze.

It is easy to make, you can make it in advance, keep it in the freezer, and bake it when you feel like it. It can save you the time you desperately needed for yourself and your family. Or, it can really save the dinner with friends and family if you run out of ideas. It is perfect for any occasion.

Today there are tons of variations of meatloaf: turkey, chicken, beef, parmesan, stuffed, glazed, you name it, and we are happy to share it with you and the world. Get some ground meat, add eggs, breadcrumbs, form a loaf, and bake it or smoke it.

That is how a meatloaf is made. It’s quite an easy and brilliant process. All you need to do is follow your gut and your heart when adding anything else than just the basics. Why not make the meal even more tasty and different?

Have a look at the list below. We have selected the best meatloaf recipes there are for you to see. Let these top ten meatloaf recipes be your inspiration for cooking a great meal!

Turkey Meatloaf Recipe

Top 10 Must-try Meatloaf Recipes (1)

If you thought that good meatloaf is only beef, think again. This turkey meatloaf is full of flavor, moist in the middle and it will turn the turkey skeptics into turkey lovers. The catch for moisture and softness is in the mushrooms inside the meat. It makes it moist and flavorful to eat it and enjoy it.

Parmesan Meatloaf – Gluten Free

Top 10 Must-try Meatloaf Recipes (2)

Are you tired of your old meatloaf recipe? Give this new one a try. Great Italian flavors are what make it special. The meatloaf is not very thick, it’s tender, it stays together and, above all, it doesn’t crumble when cut. Add some sauce and cheese in the middle for more taste, if you try layering the meatloaf. Don’t forget to sprinkle it with cheese on the top for more softness.

Gourmet Meatloaf

Top 10 Must-try Meatloaf Recipes (3)

Some say that meatloaf has to have a combination of ground beef, veal, and pork to be great. This meatloaf adds ground pork to the mixture of ground beef and it improves the flavor. But the addition of dried cherries and bacon ground together in a food processor is what sets this recipe apart. It adds, along with carrots, celery, and onions, a nice sweet and smoky flavor to the meatloaf.

Best Meatloaf

Top 10 Must-try Meatloaf Recipes (4)

It’s not your grandma’s meatloaf, it’s even better! Tender, juicy meatloaf topped with crispy bacon and a sweet tomato glaze. Isn’t this all you need for a great comfort meal? This meatloaf recipe is the kind of delicious that will have you sneaking back to the fridge to nibble on leftovers anytime you can.

Mozzarellissima Gourmet Meatloaf

Top 10 Must-try Meatloaf Recipes (5)

Turn your next meal into a retro gourmet feast with this twist on a classic meatloaf. With a little creativity, this cheesy meatloaf will turn into a classic gourmet feast. The tomato slices on top give it the perfect juiciness and the side dish of carrots, potatoes, and onions make it the perfect meal for any comfortable occasion.

Italian-Stuffed Meatloaf

Top 10 Must-try Meatloaf Recipes (6)

This meatloaf recipe, which is simple to follow, makes it ideal for a traditional family meal or an informal dinner party. Although it might look like a very difficult thing to make, it actually is very easy, maybe the easiest meal to prepare ever. And to love it too.

Petite Turkey Meatloaves

Top 10 Must-try Meatloaf Recipes (7)

A great recipe for children’s parties would be individual mini meatloaves. Or even better, when you have your nephews for a sleepover. They’re easy to make, kid-friendly, and they cook faster than making a big loaf. And it’s going to be much more fun for everybody if you involve the kids in the making.

The BEST Classic Meatloaf (Mini Meatloaves)

Top 10 Must-try Meatloaf Recipes (8)

We all have those days when we either run out of time to cook or we just don’t feel like it. So, with this recipe, it is nice that you can make double or triple batches and freeze them for later. Storing food helps you have a homemade meal on the day you need it, with virtually no effort. It makes it even better for you to save some money, although you pay something extra up-front.

Easy Meatloaf Recipe

Top 10 Must-try Meatloaf Recipes (9)

This Simple Meatloaf recipe is one of the best if you want a meatloaf that slices well for sandwiches and is superb for leftovers. The trick is that you prepare the meat for a usual meatloaf, and then top it with sauce. The sauce beautifully sinks into the meat making it soft and moist.

Turkey meatloaf enchilada style

Top 10 Must-try Meatloaf Recipes (10)

This meatloaf is to die for because it’s delicious and so juicy! Many recipes for meatloaf are so dry in texture and grainy. The secret lies in swapping ground beef with turkey and throwing a little Mexican enchilada theme: Old El Paso Refried Beans. Perhaps it sounds a little insane to put refried beans in meatloaf, but it keeps the meat together and very moist.

This is the list of the top 10 meatloaves to die for. Try them all and share your experience with us in the comments below.

Top 10 Must-try Meatloaf Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to a great meat loaf? ›

Use high-fat meat.

For a meatloaf made with a leaner beef or turkey, consider mixing in some ground pork and/or veal in order to achieve a moist, tender meatloaf. Chopping up bacon and adding it to the mix is always a great way to add fat. Oh, and covering it in bacon never hurts, either.

What ingredient keeps meatloaf from falling apart? ›

When this happens, it's because you didn't use enough. Next time, try adding in an extra egg and/or some more breadcrumbs. Alternatively, rice, barley, corn flakes, crackers, and dried soup mix can also stand in as binding ingredients as well. Including larger quantities of these items should help solve the problem.

How to make a Bobby Flay meatloaf? ›

directions
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Heat the oil in a large sauté pan over high heat. ...
  3. Whisk together the eggs and herbs in a large bowl. ...
  4. Whisk together the remaining ketchup and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl then brush the mixture over the entire loaf.
  5. Bake the meatloaf for approximately 1 to 1 1/4 hours.

What to add to meatloaf for flavor? ›

Salt and pepper reigns, but it's easy to add complexity and character by going deeper into the spice rack. Try adding minced garlic, parsley, and thyme for a deeply savory taste. For mouthwateringly bold meatloaf, add Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and ketchup to the pre-baked mixture.

Why do you put milk in meatloaf? ›

Milk and other dairy products, like heavy cream and buttermilk, contain both water and fat, adding two types of moisture to our meatloaf. There's a long-held theory that milk can tenderize ground meat, and this is the reason often cited for cooking ground meat in milk to make a Bolognese-style ragù.

What is the basic meatloaf formula? ›

The Basic Meatloaf Formula

All recipes for meatloaf start with the same basic formula: 2 pounds of ground meat and a “panade” made of bread or crackers soaked in milk. Along with a few eggs, this panade helps to hold the ground meat together and adds some essential moisture to the mix.

What happens if you put too many eggs in meatloaf? ›

Fewer eggs will create a denser and firmer meatloaf that will be more compact and easier to slice, but more eggs can create a more tender and light texture that allows the meatloaf to melt in your mouth.

How to not over mix meatloaf? ›

Mixing your ingredients too much is a very common mistake that can really make for meatloaf with a tough, dry texture. Self-control is the key; once the ingredients are mixed in, stop. Remember, the meatloaf is going to be mixed more as it's shaped before baking.

What can I put in meatloaf instead of breadcrumbs? ›

Bread Crumb Substitutes

¼ cup panko. ¼ cup cracker or pretzel crumbs. ¼ cup crushed cornflakes or other unsweetened cereals. ⅔ cup regular rolled oats (Use this only as a substitute for bread crumbs in meat loaf and other meat mixtures, such as burgers.

Does Gordon Ramsay have a meatloaf recipe? ›

Gordon Ramsay's meatloaf recipe is made with ground beef, although you could use ground lamb, pork, veal, venison, or poultry as well if you like. When your meatloaf is cooked, you can slice it like a loaf of bread to make individual portions and serve them to your family or guests.

Should you bake meatloaf covered or uncovered? ›

Should I cook my meatloaf covered or uncovered? The meatloaf can be cooked uncovered. However, if you are concerned about it burning, you can cover the meatloaf with foil for the first 45 minutes and uncover it for the final 15 minutes to allow the meatloaf to brown on top.

Why put ketchup in meatloaf? ›

Whether you slather a thick layer of ketchup on top of the meatloaf before it goes into the oven, add a few tablespoons to the ground meat mixture, or serve extra ketchup on the side, this tangy-sweet, umami-rich condiment balances out the richness of the beef, making it an essential part of the dish.

How to season meat loaf? ›

One common meatloaf seasoning recipe for a 2-pound meatloaf is:
  1. ½ tsp. salt.
  2. 1 tsp. pepper.
  3. 2 tsp. paprika.
  4. 1 tsp. basil.
  5. 1 tsp. garlic powder.
  6. 1 tsp. onion powder.
  7. 2 tsp. dried mustard.
  8. ¼ tsp. dried thyme.
Sep 1, 2023

Should I cook my meatloaf covered or uncovered? ›

Should I cook my meatloaf covered or uncovered? The meatloaf can be cooked uncovered. However, if you are concerned about it burning, you can cover the meatloaf with foil for the first 45 minutes and uncover it for the final 15 minutes to allow the meatloaf to brown on top.

What causes dry meatloaf? ›

Beware Breadcrumbs: Overusing breadcrumbs can soak up moisture and leave your meatloaf dry. Use breadcrumbs in moderation or try using alternatives like oats or crushed crackers. Use Extra Egg: Eggs act as binders and provide moisture. Add one or two eggs per pound of meat for a moist texture.

What can you put under meatloaf to soak up grease? ›

A neat trick to soak up the grease under your meatloaf is to line the bottom of the pan with bread slices. The bread soaks up the grease as the loaf bakes. When the meatloaf is done, you can either throw out the bread or bake it to make some truly indulgent toast.

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