Meatloaf

For years, meatloaf was my go-to Sunday dinner. My kids knew that if it was Sunday, there was a good chance there'd be meatloaf on the table, along with potatoes (either baked or mashed), another veggie, and dessert.

So, with that, here are six yummy meatloaf recipes to help you through tonight's dinner (and maybe even with left-overs; yum!), including Cajun-Style Meatloaf and Individual Meat Loaves. Enjoy!

SIMPLE MEATLOAF WITH OPTIONAL TOPPING

This comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “This delicious and simple meatloaf recipe is a great fit for Sunday dinner. Feel free to use plain ketchup to top this dish, or, if you're feeling a little adventurous, make the optional topping. For a tasty meal, serve the meatloaf with homemade mashed potatoes and peas and carrots or your favorite vegetables.

“Note: Ground beef with a ratio of 80/20 or 85/20 will produce the moistest and most flavorful meatloaf. Baking the meatloaf in a specialty meatloaf pan or on a rack will help drain away some of the excess fat. If you don't have either, you can make a free-form loaf on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet or 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking pan.”

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 80 minutes; Total Time: 95 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For the Optional Glaze/Topping:

4 tablespoons ketchup

4 tablespoons maple syrup (or honey)

2 tablespoons Dijon (or similar mustard)

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

For the Meatloaf:

2 pounds ground beef

2 large eggs (lightly beaten)

1/2 cup milk

1 cup fine dry breadcrumbs (plain)

2 tablespoons dried minced onion (or 1/2 cup finely minced fresh onion)

1 1/2 teaspoons burger seasoning (or 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper)

1/2 cup ketchup (plus more for topping, if desired)

Directions

Gather the ingredients.

Heat over to 350 degrees F.

Spray a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

If using the optional topping, in a small bowl, combine 4 tablespoons ketchup, maple syrup, mustard and Worcestershire until well mixed. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, onion, burger seasoning, and 1/2 cup of ketchup.

Mix until well blended and pack into the prepared loaf pan.

Bake the meatloaf for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Carefully drain off any excess fat and then top the loaf with the optional topping mixture or about 4 tablespoons of ketchup. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes longer.

Serve and enjoy!

Tips

Ground beef with a ratio of 80/20 or 85/20 will produce the moistest and most flavorful meatloaf. Baking the meatloaf in a specialty meatloaf pan or on a rack will help drain away some of the excess fat. If you don't have either, you can make a free-form loaf on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet or 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan.

Experiment with meat mixtures in meatloaf. While beef gives excellent flavor and holds together well, adding a portion of lean ground pork will provide juiciness. Ground veal would add lightness to a loaf, and ground chicken or turkey would reduce some of the fat and calories.

Top the meatloaf with prepared barbecue sauce just before it's finished baking.

Use cracker crumbs or soft breadcrumbs in the meatloaf instead of fine dry breadcrumbs.

Line the loaf pan with parchment paper or foil, like a sling. Just grab the ends of the paper or foil and lift the meatloaf out of the pan when it's done.

Bake the meatloaf in individual muffin cups. Use about 1/4 cup of meatloaf mixture for each muffin cup.

Pack the meatloaf mixture into individual oiled ramekins, and then invert them onto a rimmed baking sheet for perfectly shaped individual meatloaves.

Instead of breadcrumbs, use crushed cheese crackers in the meat mixture.

Top a meatloaf with strips of bacon before baking, or add crumbled cooked bacon to the meat mixture.

INDIVIDUAL MEAT LOAVES

This yummy recipe is from Ina Garten on the Food Network. Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; Level: Intermediate; Yield: 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/individual-meat-loaves-recipe-1952034.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon good olive oil

3 cups chopped yellow onions (3 onions)

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1/3 cup canned chicken stock or broth

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 1/2 pounds ground chuck (81 percent lean)

1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs (recommended: Progresso)

2 extra-large eggs, beaten

1/2 cup ketchup (recommended: Heinz)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan. Add the onions, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent but not brown. Off the heat, add the Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Allow to cool slightly.

In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck, onion mixture, bread crumbs, and eggs, and mix lightly with a fork. Don't mash or the meatloaf will be dense.

Divide the mixture into 6 (10 to 11-ounce) portions and shape each portion into a small loaf on a sheet pan. Spread about a tablespoon of ketchup on the top of each portion. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the internal temperature is 155 to 160 degrees F and the meat loaves are cooked through. Serve hot.

PHILLY-STYLE MEATLOAF

This recipe begins, “Bring the warmth and rich flavor of Philly into your home with this delicious meatloaf. And it only takes an hour to bake with limited amount of prep time.”

This is from Diabetic Connect.

View this online at http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/6672-philly-style-meatloaf

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

1 egg

1 dash ground black pepper

1 cup soft bread crumbs

1/2 cup milk

1/3 cup steak sauce, (e.g. Heinz 57)

1 onion, chopped

1/2 cup diced green bell pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch loaf pan.

In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, salt, egg, black pepper and bread crumbs. Pour in the milk, 3 tablespoons of the steak sauce, onion and green bell pepper.

Place the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and shape into a loaf. Brush the top with the remaining steak sauce.

Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour or until done. Allow to stand 5 minutes before slicing.

Nutritional Facts: Servings: 6; Calories – 286; Carbohydrates – 9.5g; Total Fat – 17.9g; Protein – 20.9g; Sodium – 805mg; Dietary Fiber - 0.9g

CAJUN-STYLE MEATLOAF

This comes from Diana Rattray at The Spruce Eats. She wrote, "This Cajun-style meatloaf is packed with flavor and healthy ingredients. The loaf is made with ground beef and ground pork, making for a moist and flavorful meatloaf. The "holy trinity" of onion, bell pepper, and celery, along with Cajun seasonings give the meatloaf Louisiana flavor.

"Use ketchup or chili sauce as a topping for the meatloaf, or make a delicious homemade Creole sauce for topping and serving. Fresh or store-bought salsa is another excellent option.

"Serve meatloaf sliced with some ketchup or salsa on the side. Some sides that go well with meatloaf are boiled or mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, green beans, corn, peas, and broccoli."

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 75 minutes; Total Time: 95 minutes; Makes 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/spicy-cajun-seasoned-meatloaf-3058296.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1/4 cup onion (finely chopped)

1/4 cup red bell pepper (or green, finely chopped)

1/4 cup celery (finely chopped)

1 large egg (beaten)

1/4 cup milk

1/3 cup finely ground breadcrumbs

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

1/2 pound ground pork (or more beef)

1 medium tomato (seeds removed, cored, finely chopped)

1 1/2 teaspoons salt-free Cajun seasoning

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Optional: ketchup (or chili sauce)

Directions

Heat the oven to 350 F.

Line a rimmed baking pan with foil or spray a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside to cool.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg with the milk; add the breadcrumbs, beef and pork, chopped tomato, Cajun seasoning, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Add the cooled vegetable mixture and blend well with your hands.

Optionally, to check a meatloaf for seasoning, take a small amount and shape it into a flat patty. Fry the patty until it is cooked through and taste it. Adjust the seasonings, as needed.

Loosely pack the meatloaf mixture into the prepared baking pan or loaf pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

If desired, spread ketchup or chili sauce over the top of the meatloaf about 10 minutes before done.

Tips

If your Cajun seasoning contains salt, increase the Cajun seasoning to 2 1/2 teaspoons and decrease the salt to 1/2 teaspoon.

To check a meatloaf for doneness, use a reliable instant-read thermometer. The minimum safe temperature for ground beef or pork is 160 F. Ground poultry must be cooked to a temperature of at least 165 F.

Instead of the classic loaf shape, bake the meatloaf mixture in muffin tins.

Bake two loaves and freeze one for a future meal.

CHEESY TACO MEATLOAF

This comes from Campbell's Soup, and begins, “It takes just 10 minutes and a few ingredients to put together this scrumptious meatloaf...and when it comes out of the oven you've got two family favorites, tacos and meatloaf, combined into one tasty dish!”

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hr 15 minutes; Serves: 8

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef

1 jar (16 ounces) Pace® Chunky Salsa or Pace® Picante Sauce - Medium

1 1/2 ounces tortilla chips, crushed (about 1/2 cup)

1 egg

1 teaspoon chili powder

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

Set the oven to 350°F. Thoroughly mix the beef, 1 cup salsa, tortilla chips, egg, chili powder, salt and black pepper in a large bowl. Place the beef mixture into a 3-quart shallow baking pan and shape into an 9x4-inch loaf.

Bake for 1 hour or until the meatloaf is cooked through.

Spread the remaining salsa over the meatloaf and sprinkle with the cheese. Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

TURKEY MEATLOAF WITH FETA AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

This is from Giada de Laurentiis on the Food Network show, Giada at Home.

Total: 1 hr 5 min; Prep: 15 min; Inactive: 5 min; Cook: 45 min; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Vegetable cooking spray

1/2 cup plain bread crumbs

1/3 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1/4 cup chopped garlic and herb-marinated sun-dried tomatoes

2 cloves garlic, minced, optional

2 eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons whole milk

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 pound ground turkey, preferably dark meat

Directions

Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Spray a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, stir together the bread crumbs, parsley, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, if using, eggs, milk, feta, salt, and pepper. Add the turkey and gently stir to combine, being careful not to overwork the meat.

Carefully pack the meat mixture into the prepared pan and bake until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and slice. Put on a serving platter and serve.