Meatloaf has been a family favorite for decades. This simple, traditional recipe originates from a 1936 General Electric Kitchen Institute cookbook, "The New Art of Modern Cookery." The meatloaf gains its flavorful boost from dry onion soup mix and ketchup. While it calls for only six ingredients—one of them is water—you can enhance it with your special touch, such as a dash of thyme and sage, Worcestershire sauce, or freshly cracked pepper.
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Ground Beef Ratios
For the best flavor and texture, use ground beef with a ratio of about 85/15 or 90/10. Very lean ground beef can result in a dry, less flavorful loaf. To keep the meatloaf from baking in the excess drippings, use a meatloaf pan or crumple a sheet of foil and put it in the bottom of the pan.
Souped-Up Meatloaf
If you prefer your meatloaf saucy, top it with more ketchup before serving. Any kind of dry breadcrumbs will work, whether they're plain store-bought, homemade, or panko. The mixture has just enough moisture and binders, making it easy to slice without falling apart. Plus, leftovers are delicious, and slices make for an excellent meatloaf sandwich.
Moist Meatloaf Secrets Revealed
Meatloaf requires a certain amount of fat to remain moist and tender. If the meat is too lean, it can result in a dry, tough loaf. Consider adding fattier ground beef or ground pork if your ground meat (or poultry) is very lean. Another way to add moisture is to drape several strips of bacon over the meatloaf before it goes into the oven.
Overmixing can make a meatloaf dense and dry. Mix the ingredients thoroughly but gently, and don't pack it tightly when you put it in the pan.
Baking Time
Depending on the size of the meat mixture, a meatloaf is typically done after 1 to 1 1/2 hours in a 350 F oven. To ensure it's thoroughly cooked, insert an instant-read thermometer into the center of the loaf. For ground beef, the meatloaf should register 160 F. For ground chicken or turkey, continue baking until it reaches 165 F.
What is a Meatloaf Pan?
A meatloaf pan is a loaf pan with a separate inner pan with perforations. The meat mixture is placed in the inner pan. As the meatloaf cooks, excess fat drips into the outer pan. If you don't have a meatloaf pan, don't worry. A rectangular loaf pan or a baking dish works just as well.
Tips for Making Great Meatloaf
- Choices—Shaping and cooking the meatloaf on a baking sheet or shallow pan allows the sides to become crisper, while baking in a loaf pan keeps the sides and bottom moist.
- A word about onion soup mix—Lipton is the most popular onion soup mix for this recipe, but any brand should produce a flavorful meatloaf.
- Delicious sandwiches—If you have any leftovers, we suggest making meatloaf sandwiches the next day. For a gourmet sandwich, take a slice of reheated meatloaf and place it between two slices of toasted garlic ciabatta bread. Top with a little mayo, crispy fried onions, quick pickled red onion, a few sweet and hot pickle chips, pickled peppers, and barbecue sauce.
- Bake uncovered—Be sure to bake this meatloaf uncovered. With plenty of moisture-rich ingredients in the mixture, it won't dry out, and covering it with foil would prevent a deliciously crispy crust from forming. This meatloaf pairs excellently with mashed potatoes and steamed green beans or broccoli for a balanced family meal.
"Simple, budget-friendly, and moist, this meatloaf is a great option for when you want a no-hassle, flavorful meal. You're essentially just mixing all of the ingredients together, molding them into a loaf, and baking. Jazz things up and add some chopped onion for more texture or add Worcestershire and/or soy for added depth." —Victoria Heydt
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Ingredients
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2 large eggs, beaten
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1 packet dry onion soup mix, such as Lipton
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3/4 cup water
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1/3 cup ketchup, more for topping, if desired
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1 cup plain, dry breadcrumbs
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2 pounds ground beef
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 350 F.
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In a large bowl, combine 2 large eggs, beaten, 1 packet dry onion soup mix, 3/4 cup water, and 1/3 cup ketchup. Mix to combine well.
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Add 1 cup plain, dry breadcrumbs, and 2 pounds lean ground beef. Mix well.
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Shape the meat mixture into an oblong loaf and place it in a foil-lined baking dish, loaf pan, or meatloaf pan.
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Bake until crisp on the outside and cooked through, about 1 1/4 hours. Top with additional ketchup, if desired.
Allow the meatloaf to cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
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Feeling Adventurous? Try This:
- Cracker crumbs—Instead of breadcrumbs, use cracker crumbs, fresh torn bread soaked in milk, cooked rice, or oatmeal.
- For a keto-friendly loaf—Replace the breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds.
- Swaps for ketchup—instead of ketchup, use thick salsa, chili sauce, barbecue sauce, tomato sauce, or canned diced tomatoes to top the meatloaf.
- Everybody has one—For picky eaters, increase the nutritional value by adding grated sautéed carrots or finely chopped vegetables to the meat mixture.
How To Store and Freeze
- Storing leftover meatloaf—Transfer leftover cooked meatloaf to a shallow, covered container. Refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Reheat the meatloaf in the oven or microwave until it reaches 165 F, the minimum safe temperature for leftover cooked food.
- Reheat slices easily—Reheat slices in a skillet over medium-low heat, flipping them for even cooking.
- Long-term storage— If you don't plan to use the leftovers soon, freeze the cooked, cooled meatloaf in airtight containers or zip-top bags for up to 3 months
- To reheat frozen meatloaf—Place it in a baking dish while still frozen and cover tightly with foil. Heat in a preheated 350 F oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until it reaches 165 F.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
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347 | Calories |
15g | Fat |
16g | Carbs |
35g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 6 to 8 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 347 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 15g | 19% |
Saturated Fat 6g | 29% |
Cholesterol 124mg | 41% |
Sodium 689mg | 30% |
Total Carbohydrate 16g | 6% |
Dietary Fiber 1g | 3% |
Total Sugars 3g | |
Protein 35g | |
Vitamin C 1mg | 3% |
Calcium 55mg | 4% |
Iron 4mg | 24% |
Potassium 589mg | 13% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
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