Easy Meatloaf Recipes

Basic Easy Meatloaf Recipe

This basic meatloaf recipe is an easy family dinner and a good place to start if your kids have never helped make meatloaf before. Serve it with potatoes, vegetables or another favorite dinner side.

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
• 3 teaspoons seasoning salt
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 pounds ground beef

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Add the eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, seasoning salt, Worcestershire sauce and pepper to a large mixing bowl.
3. Add the ground beef and gently mix until the ingredients are evenly combined. Avoid overmixing, which can make meatloaf dense.
4. Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in a loaf pan or on a foil-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake for about 60-75 minutes, or until the center of the meatloaf reaches 160F on a food thermometer.
6. Let the meatloaf rest for about 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Pizza Meatloaf Recipe

Pizza Meatloaf combines two kid favorites in one dinner. Pizza sauce, Italian seasoning and mozzarella give this meatloaf familiar pizza flavor, and you can add pepperoni on top for an extra fun finish.

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce, plus extra for topping if desired
• 1/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Pepperoni slices, optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg, pizza sauce, breadcrumbs and Italian seasoning.
3. Add the ground beef and about 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Gently mix until everything is evenly combined.
4. Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in a loaf pan or on a foil-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake for about 45 minutes.
6. Spread additional pizza sauce over the top, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Add pepperoni slices if desired.
7. Return to the oven and continue baking until the cheese is melted and the center of the meatloaf is cooked through.
8. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf

Turn cheeseburger flavors into an easy family meatloaf with cheddar cheese, bacon and barbecue sauce. This recipe makes two loaves, so you can bake both for a larger meal or save one for another day.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground chicken, or use 2 pounds ground beef
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 5-6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled, or bacon bits
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Barbecue sauce, for topping

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Add the ground beef, ground chicken, eggs, breadcrumbs and cheddar cheese to a large mixing bowl.
3. Add the crumbled bacon, garlic, salt and pepper. Gently mix until the ingredients are evenly combined.
4. Divide the mixture between two loaf pans and shape into loaves.
5. Spread barbecue sauce over the top of each loaf.
6. Bake until the meatloaf is cooked through. If using ground chicken, check that the center reaches 165°F on a food thermometer.
7. Let the meatloaf rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Mom's Yummy Meatloaf

Recipe contributed by Mary, US

This homemade meatloaf uses crushed crackers and ketchup in the meat mixture, then gets topped with a sweet and tangy brown sugar barbecue glaze.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup salted soda crackers, crushed
• 1 cup ketchup

Meatloaf Topping

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup molasses or honey
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 tablespoon stone-ground mustard

Note: This makes a generous, sweet meatloaf topping. Use as much or as little as your family prefers.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Add the ground beef, onion, eggs, crushed crackers and ketchup to a large mixing bowl.
3. Gently mix until the ingredients are evenly combined.
4. Divide between two small loaf pans or shape into one larger loaf, depending on the size and shape you prefer.
5. Bake until the meatloaf is nearly cooked through.
6. While the meatloaf bakes, stir together the brown sugar, ketchup, molasses or honey, barbecue sauce and mustard.
7. Carefully drain excess grease if needed, then spread the topping over the meatloaf.
8. Return to the oven for about 10 minutes, or until the meatloaf is fully cooked and the topping is hot.
9. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Easy Meatloaf with Black Beans

Recipe contributed by Judy

Black beans and stewed tomatoes give this easy meatloaf a different twist. Serve it as a loaf for dinner or shape the mixture into smaller meatballs.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 can stewed tomatoes
• 1 package onion soup mix
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Add the ground beef, black beans, onion, stewed tomatoes, onion soup mix, garlic powder, salt and pepper to a large mixing bowl.
3. Gently mix until the ingredients are evenly combined.
4. Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in a loaf pan or baking dish.
5. Bake until the meatloaf is cooked through and the center reaches 160°F on a food thermometer.
6. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Mama's New Style Meatloaf

Recipe contributed by Joshua Gruenberg, New Jersey

Fresh tomatoes and spinach add vegetables and color to this homemade meatloaf, while Italian seasoning and soy sauce add extra flavor. It's an easy variation when you want to change up a traditional meatloaf dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup chopped spinach
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon canola oil
• Soy sauce, as desired
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Add the ground beef, diced tomatoes, spinach, egg, panko breadcrumbs and Italian seasoning to a large mixing bowl.
3. Add the canola oil and season with soy sauce, salt and pepper.
4. Gently mix until the ingredients are evenly combined.
5. Shape the mixture in a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
6. Bake until the top is browned and the center of the meatloaf reaches 160F on a food thermometer.
7. Using oven mitts, carefully remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Meatloaf Baskets with Mini Potatoes

Turn meatloaf into little baskets and add a mini potato to each one for a fun twist on meat and potatoes. Carrot and celery are blended into the meatloaf mixture for extra flavor and vegetables.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
• 1 stalk celery
• 1 carrot
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Mini potatoes

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Add the ground beef, egg, oatmeal, seasoning salt and Worcestershire sauce to a mixing bowl.
3. Purée the celery and carrot in a blender or food processor, then add them to the meat mixture.
4. Gently mix until the ingredients are evenly combined.
5. On a baking sheet, divide the meat mixture into individual portions. Shape each portion into a small ring or basket with an indentation in the center.
6. Place a mini potato in the center of each meatloaf basket.
7. Bake for about 30-45 minutes, or until the meatloaf is cooked through and the potatoes are tender.
8. Check the meatloaf with a food thermometer and test the potatoes with a fork before serving.