Quick & Easy Joy Of Cooking Meatloaf Recipe Everyone Loves

Meatloaf transforms humble ingredients into a hearty dinner that speaks comfort and nostalgia.

Traditional American kitchens have long celebrated this rustic dish as a family favorite.

Savory and satisfying, meatloaf represents more than just a meal – it’s a culinary canvas where home cooks blend flavors and textures.

Rich ground meats combine with carefully selected seasonings to create a memorable centerpiece.

Generations have passed down secret techniques for achieving the perfect balance between moistness and robust taste.

Each slice promises a delicious journey through familiar, warming ingredients that connect us to home-cooked traditions.

Prepare to elevate your weeknight dinner with a recipe that balances simplicity and extraordinary flavor.

Meatloaf Recipe Recap

Classic meatloaf whispers comfort from grandma’s kitchen, promising hearty satisfaction with each savory slice.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this humble dish, transforming simple ingredients into memorable meals.

Rich ground beef blends with aromatic herbs, creating layers of depth that warm hungry souls.

Precise baking techniques guarantee tender texture and robust flavor profiles for discerning palates.

Served alongside creamy mashed potatoes or crisp green salads, this meatloaf becomes more than sustenance – it connects families through shared culinary traditions.

Because extraordinary meals spark conversation and memories, you’ll want to share this recipe with loved ones, capture their reactions on social media, and invite friends to experience this timeless American classic.

Reasons to Love Meatloaf Recipe

• Savor Comfort Classic: This meatloaf delivers pure home-cooked comfort with its traditional recipe that feels like a warm hug from grandma's kitchen.
• Master Quick Weeknight Cooking: The simple preparation method allows busy home cooks to create a delicious meal in just about 90 minutes, with minimal complicated steps and straightforward ingredients.
• Customize Flavor Adventure: Easily adapt the basic recipe by adding personal favorite herbs, spices, or mixing different ground meats to create a unique family signature dish that keeps everyone excited about dinner.
• Foolproof Cooking Technique: The recipe provides clear instructions with temperature guidance and cooking tips, making it perfect for beginner cooks who want to build confidence in preparing hearty main courses without stress.

Key Ingredients for Meatloaf Recipe

• Ground Beef: Rich, flavorful meat base that provides the primary structure of the meatloaf.
• Ground Pork: Adds extra moisture and depth of flavor to the meat mixture.

• Eggs: Helps bind the meat together and provides structural integrity.
• Bread Crumbs: Absorbs moisture and helps keep the meatloaf tender and cohesive.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a softer, more tender texture.

• Onion: Provides a subtle, sweet aromatic base that complements the meat.
• Garlic: Adds a robust, deep flavor to the meatloaf.
• Salt: Enhances the overall taste and helps season the meat.
• Black Pepper: Adds a mild heat and complexity to the flavor profile.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Brings a tangy, umami depth to the meat mixture.
• Parsley: Offers a fresh, green note to brighten the overall flavor.

How to Make Meatloaf Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to 350°F (175°C) and get ready for a mouthwatering meal.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Pan

Grab a 9″ x 5″ baking pan and give it a light grease to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Gather and Mix Ingredients

• Ground meat (beef, pork, or a mix)
• Breadcrumbs
• Eggs
• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Pepper
• Your favorite herbs and spices

Step 4: Blend the Meat Mixture

Mix the ingredients carefully, avoiding overmixing to keep the meatloaf tender and juicy.

Step 5: Shape the Meatloaf

Form the mixture into a beautiful loaf shape and place it in the greased baking pan.

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

Set the baking pan on a larger baking sheet to catch any dripping fat and make cleanup easier.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Cook the meatloaf for 60 to 75 minutes. For best results, use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).

Step 8: Remove Excess Fat

Once baked, carefully drain away any excess fat from the pan.

Step 9: Let It Rest

Allow the meatloaf to cool for 15 minutes before slicing. This helps it hold its shape and keeps the juices locked in.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Slice and serve with your favorite sauces, sides, or accompaniments.

Helpful Tips for Meatloaf Recipe

• Boost Flavor Gradually: Experiment with Worcestershire sauce to layer taste complexity without overwhelming the meat's natural richness.
• Rest and Relax Technique: Give your meatloaf a short break after baking, allowing juices to redistribute and creating more tender slices.
• Mix Wisely, Eat Happily: Gently combine ground meats with minimal handling to prevent a tough, compact texture.
• Salt Smart: Balance seasonings carefully, remembering that ketchup brings its own salty punch to the dish.
• Blend Fat Strategically: Combine ground beef cuts with varying fat percentages for a more nuanced and satisfying meatloaf profile.

Meatloaf Recipe Storage Tricks You Should Know

• Vacuum Seal Method: Extract air completely from airtight bags to prevent freezer burn and maintain maximum flavor integrity. Slide cooled meatloaf slices into vacuum-sealed bags, press out residual air, and store flat in freezer for pristine preservation up to 4 months.
• Glass Container Strategy: Select high-quality, leak-proof glass containers with tight-sealing lids for optimal moisture retention. Portion meatloaf into individual servings, allowing minimal air exposure, which extends refrigerator storage life to 5 days and preserves texture quality.
• Parchment Layer Technique: Create protective barriers between meatloaf slices using parchment paper when stacking in storage containers. Prevents sticking, maintains individual slice integrity, and simplifies reheating process while keeping meat's moisture and structural composition intact during refrigeration or freezing.

Twists on Meatloaf Recipe

• Mediterranean Meatloaf Fusion: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, chopped kalamata olives, and dried oregano into the meat mixture for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Meatloaf: Add diced green chilies, ground cumin, chili powder, and top with pepper jack cheese to create a zesty southwestern-style version.
• Mushroom Swiss Comfort Meatloaf: Mix in sautéed cremini mushrooms, fold in grated Swiss cheese, and drizzle with a light mushroom gravy for an earthy, rich alternative.
• Herb Garden Lean Meatloaf: Replace some ground beef with ground turkey, mix in fresh chopped parsley, thyme, and rosemary for a lighter, herb-infused option that feels garden-fresh and nutritious.

Joy Of Cooking Meatloaf Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Classic meatloaf from Joy of Cooking brings comfort and nostalgia to dinner tables across America. Savory ground beef blended with herbs, breadcrumbs, and a tangy glaze creates a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) Ground beef chuck
• 12 ounces (340 grams) Ground beef round
• 3 large Eggs

Binding and Filling:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) Quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) Onions (finely chopped)

Seasoning and Sauce:

• ⅔ cup (160 milliliters) Ketchup
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Ground thyme
• ½ teaspoon Ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F (175°C), ensuring an even cooking environment for the meatloaf.
2. Thoroughly grease a standard 9-inch by 5-inch (23 centimeters by 12.7 centimeters) loaf pan to prevent sticking and facilitate easy removal.
3. In a spacious mixing bowl, gently combine all ingredients, taking care to incorporate them evenly without overworking the meat mixture.
4. Use clean hands to blend the ingredients, being cautious not to compact the meat too densely, which could result in a tough texture.
5. Artfully shape the mixture into a uniform loaf, ensuring consistent thickness throughout for even cooking.
6. Carefully transfer the formed loaf into the prepared greased pan, positioning it centrally.
7. Place the loaf pan on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any potential drippings and prevent oven mess.
8. Slide the baking sheet with the meatloaf into the preheated oven, allowing it to cook for 60 to 75 minutes.
9. Verify doneness by inserting a meat thermometer; the internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C) to ensure food safety.
10. Once cooked, remove from the oven and let excess fat drain completely.
11. Allow the meatloaf to rest for 15 minutes, which helps the juices redistribute and makes slicing easier.
12. Slice into generous portions and serve alongside your favorite accompaniments or sauces.

Notes

• Experiment with ground beef blends ranging from lean to medium-fat for rich, complex taste profiles.
• Handle meat mixture gently when combining ingredients to maintain a light, tender texture.
• Taste-test seasonings beforehand to ensure perfect balance without overwhelming the dish.
• Splash in Worcestershire sauce sparingly to elevate the meat’s natural savoriness.
• Allow meatloaf to settle after cooking, creating a more cohesive and juicy final result.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 364 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 422 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 139 mg