Quick Paula Deen BBQ Meatloaf Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Paula Deen’s BBQ meatloaf represents a nostalgic culinary treasure that transforms ordinary ground meat into a mouth-watering main course.

Family gatherings always feel more special with this classic comfort dish on the table.

Rich, savory flavors mingle with a sweet and smoky sauce that elevates traditional meatloaf to new heights.

Home cooks appreciate how simple ingredients can create such a memorable meal.

The combination of tender meat and zesty barbecue glaze promises a crowd-pleasing experience that feels both rustic and refined.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary with this hearty recipe that connects generations through delicious, home-cooked goodness: get ready to impress everyone at the table!

What Makes Paula Deen’s BBQ Meatloaf a Favorite

• Savor Sweet-Tangy BBQ Fusion: The homemade BBQ sauce transforms classic meatloaf with an explosive blend of brown sugar, vinegar, and Dijon mustard, creating a mouthwatering flavor profile that elevates this comfort food.
• Master Effortless One-Pan Wonder: This recipe simplifies cooking with minimal prep time, requiring just one baking pan and straightforward mixing, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious meals without complicated techniques.
• Experience Moisture-Locked Perfection: Regular basting during cooking ensures the meatloaf remains incredibly juicy and tender, preventing the common dry texture that plagues many traditional meatloaf recipes and delivering a succulent dining experience.
• Customize for Any Gathering: Versatile enough for weeknight dinners, weekend family meals, or casual potlucks, this BBQ meatloaf adapts seamlessly to different occasions while guaranteeing crowd-pleasing satisfaction every single time.

Key Ingredients for Paula Deen’s BBQ Meatloaf

• Ground Beef: A classic meatloaf protein with rich flavor and juicy texture, choose lean or medium for best results.
• Egg: Helps bind the meat mixture together and adds moisture to the meatloaf.

• Breadcrumbs: Provides structure and helps hold the meatloaf together, absorbs moisture and prevents dryness.
• Onion: Adds depth of flavor and subtle sweetness to the meat mixture.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the meatloaf.

• Tomato Sauce: Forms the base of the BBQ sauce and provides tangy moisture.
• Vinegar: Adds a sharp, acidic note to balance the sweetness.
• Brown Sugar: Creates a caramelized, sweet undertone in the BBQ sauce.
• Dijon Mustard: Brings a tangy and slightly spicy element to the sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds complex, umami depth to the BBQ sauce.
• Water: Optional ingredient to adjust sauce consistency if needed.

How to Make Paula Deen’s BBQ Meatloaf

Step 1: Prep the Oven

Warm up your oven to 180°C / 350°F, getting it ready for a delicious meatloaf adventure.

Step 2: Mix Meatloaf Ingredients

• Ground beef
• Breadcrumbs
• Diced onion
• Egg
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Tomato sauce

Blend all ingredients until well incorporated, using your hands for the best mixing.

Step 3: Shape the Meatloaf

Gently form the meat mixture into a classic loaf shape, placing it in a shallow baking pan. Smooth the top for even cooking.

Step 4: Craft the Zesty BBQ Sauce

• Remaining tomato sauce
• Vinegar
• Brown sugar
• Dijon mustard
• Worcestershire sauce
• Water (if needed to thin the sauce)

Step 5: Sauce Up the Meatloaf

Generously drizzle the homemade BBQ sauce over the entire meatloaf, ensuring complete and even coverage.

Step 6: Bake and Baste

Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour, basting with pan juices every 15 minutes to lock in moisture and enhance flavor.

Step 7: Final Check and Serve

Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Verify internal temperature reaches 160°F for food safety. Slice and serve with your favorite side dishes, enjoying the mouthwatering BBQ goodness.

Pro Tips for Paula Deen’s BBQ Meatloaf

• Slice with Precision: Cut the meatloaf carefully using a sharp knife for clean, even slices that showcase the tender interior and preserve the loaf's structure.
• Preserve Moisture Masterfully: Wrapping leftovers in plastic wrap or storing in an airtight container prevents drying out, keeping the meatloaf juicy for future meals.
• Balance Binding Ingredients: Mix eggs, breadcrumbs, and milk gently to create a cohesive mixture that holds the meatloaf together without becoming tough or compact.
• Choose Quality Meat Wisely: Select ground beef with a moderate fat content (80/20 blend) to guarantee rich flavor and prevent the meatloaf from becoming dry or crumbly.
• Control Sauce Coverage: Brush barbecue sauce evenly, avoiding thick pools that might burn and ensuring a consistent glaze across the entire surface of the meatloaf.

How to Store Paula Deen’s BBQ Meatloaf

• Vacuum Seal: Protect your BBQ meatloaf from freezer burn by using a vacuum sealer. Extract all air from the packaging, creating an airtight barrier that preserves flavor and texture for up to 4 months. This method prevents moisture loss and keeps your meatloaf tasting fresh.
• Individual Portion Wrap: Slice the cooled meatloaf into single servings before freezing. Wrap each piece separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. This technique allows quick thawing and prevents waste, giving you convenient meal options for busy days.
• Refrigerator Storage: Transfer cooled meatloaf to a sealed glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Place in the coldest part of your refrigerator, where it will stay fresh and delicious for 3-4 days. Keep the container away from raw foods to prevent cross-contamination.

Creative Twists on Paula Deen’s BBQ Meatloaf

• Spicy Southwest Meatloaf: Replace traditional BBQ sauce with a zesty chipotle-based sauce, add diced jalapeños, and mix in corn kernels for a southwestern kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Meatloaf: Swap ground beef for a mix of ground lamb and beef, incorporate feta cheese, chopped olives, and use a tomato-oregano sauce instead of classic BBQ.
• Turkey Lean Makeover: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey, add grated zucchini for moisture, and use a lighter honey-mustard glaze to create a healthier version of the original recipe.
• Bacon-Wrapped Comfort Meatloaf: Wrap the entire meatloaf with bacon strips before baking, use a maple-infused BBQ sauce, and sprinkle crispy bacon bits on top for extra flavor and crunch.

Final Thoughts on Paula Deen’s BBQ Meatloaf

Savory BBQ meatloaf emerges as Paula Deen’s quintessential comfort classic, blending southern charm with hearty flavor profiles.

Southern kitchens whisper culinary magic through this timeless recipe, transforming simple ingredients into a memorable meal.

Tender ground beef mingles with zesty BBQ sauce, creating a symphony of taste sensations that dance across taste buds.

Each slice promises a delectable journey through robust marinades and carefully balanced seasonings.

Home cooks can easily craft this crowd-pleasing dish that bridges generations with its irresistible aroma and rich complexity.

Grab your apron, gather ingredients, and prepare for a mouthwatering experience that screams home-cooked perfection – you’ll want to share this recipe, tag friends, and spread the delicious love across social media platforms.

Paula Deen Bbq Meatloaf Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 8 reviews

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

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Paula Deen’s BBQ meatloaf combines Southern comfort with zesty barbecue flavors in a hearty main dish. Juicy ground beef mingles with tangy sauce, creating a memorable meal that brings family and friends together around the dinner table.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons pepper

Aromatic and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 diced onion
• 1 lightly beaten egg
• 2 8-ounce (226 grams) cans tomato sauce
• 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) water (to thin sauce if necessary)
• 3 tablespoons vinegar
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating it to 180°C / 350°F, ensuring an even temperature for optimal baking.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, finely chopped onion, beaten egg, salt, ground black pepper, and 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) of tomato sauce until the ingredients are well integrated.
3. Gently shape the meat mixture into a cohesive loaf, carefully transferring it to a shallow baking pan to maintain its form.
4. Create a tangy BBQ sauce by whisking together the remaining tomato sauce, white vinegar, dark brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and a small amount of water if needed to achieve desired consistency.
5. Generously drizzle the prepared BBQ sauce over the meatloaf, ensuring an even and complete coverage that will infuse flavor during cooking.
6. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour, periodically basting the meatloaf with pan juices every 15 minutes to preserve moisture and enhance flavor.
7. Verify the meatloaf is fully cooked by checking its internal temperature reaches 71°C (160°F), then allow it to rest for a few minutes before slicing to help retain its juices.
8. Slice the meatloaf into thick, hearty portions and serve immediately with complementary side dishes for a satisfying meal.

Notes

• Unleash juicy flavors by gently mixing ingredients without overworking the meat mixture.
• Fresh breadcrumbs create a light, tender texture that transforms ordinary meatloaf into a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
• Finely diced onions blend seamlessly, distributing savory notes throughout every delicious bite.
• Loose shaping prevents dense, tough results, keeping the meatloaf wonderfully soft and succulent.
• Continuous basting locks in moisture, building layers of rich, deep flavor with each pass.
• Resting allows juices to redistribute, ensuring each slice is perfectly moist and holds together beautifully.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 452.7 kcal
• Sugar: 8.0 g
• Sodium: 1,416.8 mg
• Fat: 25.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 10.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 31.4 g
• Fiber: 2.4 g
• Protein: 24.9 g
• Cholesterol: 115.9 mg