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Authentic Meatloaf Recipe United States of America, North America
JUMP TO RECIPEWe strongly advise you to read the cooking tips before jumping to the recipe though
Introduction & history
A dish firmly labeled as a homemade specialty, meatloaf is a popular, economic and, most of all, versatile way of preparing ground meat. Most common meat choices include beef, veal, pork, and turkey, which are expanded with milk-soaked bread crumbs and bound together with eggs. Very often, the meat is enriched with sautéed onions, garlic, celery, and carrots, which help retain moisture. Filling the meatloaf is also a popular option, and usually includes hard boiled eggs, spinach, bacon, cheese, peppers, dried fruit, spinach and other leafy vegetables such as spinach or Swiss chard. The ingredients are combined by hand in a large bowl and seasoned at the very end with salt, pepper, paprika, powdered garlic, and herbs. Next, the mixture is formed into a shape of a log or placed into a loaf baking pan and baked at 350˚F for 60 to 75 minutes. Classic American recipes often suggest glazing the meatloaf with ketchup and serving it with mashed potatoes and green beans. The ideal meatloaf ... Read more
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Cooking tips
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meat
Fresh ground meat is the number one building block for a meatloaf, and the type of the meat depends on your preferences. It is advisable, however, to mix different kinds of meat, like veal, beef, and pork, since they will yield a fluffier, richer meatloaf. Go for lesser cuts of meat marbled with fat because they make the meatloaf juicier. For lighter versions, use turkey, but combine white and dark ... Read more -
breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs are the most commonly used to strech out the recipe yield. You can prepare them yourself by baking slices of bread in the oven for 10-15 minutes and processing them in a blender or a food processor. Alternatively, you can use panko crumbs, rice, oat flakes, or crushed tortilla chips; just soak them in milk and add them to the ground meat. -
seasoning
Besides salt and pepper, a meatloaf can be seasoned with a whole array of spices, which should be chosen considering the side dish. Red pepper, allspice, chili powder, and garlic powder are the most common. Add them to the meat mixture and keep in mind to add the salt at the very end. -
vegetables
Onions, garlic, celery, and carrots are often added to the meatloaf to help it retain moisture. It is best to cut them into small pieces and sauté them shortly before adding them to the meat mixture because this way they will develop their full flavor. -
mixing
The ingredients are always combined by hand — this way you will get the idea if the mixture is too dry or too moist. Avoid over-mixing — the mixture is ready when all the ingredients are just combined. -
filling
A meatloaf can be filled with hard boiled eggs, green leafy vegetables, bacon, cheese, dried fruit such as apricots and prunes, and mushrooms. Divide the meat mixture in two, form the first half into a long rectangle or place it into a loaf pan. Distribute the filling along the middle, cover with the other half of the meat mixture, and pat gently, so the filling is enclosed on all sides. -
forming
The meatloaf can be baked in a well-greased loaf pan, or formed into a shape of a log by hand. Make sure not to squeeze it too hard since it needs to remain spongy and soft. -
baking
Most recipes suggest baking the meatloaf at 350˚F for 60 to 75 minutes. To check if it is done, insert an instant thermometer to the center of the meatloaf. If the thermometer reads between 155 and 165˚F, the meatloaf is done.
Recipe variations
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Old-fashioned Meatloaf
Ready in 1h 35minThe following is an example of a typical 1950s meatloaf and was adapted from the Betty Crocker’s Picture Cook Book. The pork and veal are bound with eggs and breadcrumbs and seasoned with sage. At the time, this meatloaf was usually served with mashed potatoes and canned green beans.
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Egg and Spinach Stuffed Meatloaf
Ready in 1h 10minEgg-stuffed meatloaves are most commonly seen in Italian and Greek cuisine, and this recipe is more on the Italian side since it involves Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese and mortadella, plus the spinach pairs beautifully with eggs. Additionally, this meatloaf makes for great sandwich stuffing.
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Turkey Meatloaf with Mushrooms and Spicy Tomato Jam
Ready in 1h 30minThe following is the recipe for a light yet extra-tasty type of meatloaf. Dark and white turkey meat and shiitake mushrooms are the main ingredients, and the meatloaf is bound with breadcrumbs and generously seasoned. A spicy tomato jam accompanies the meatloaf, the instructions for which are also included in the recipe.
Classic Meatloaf
PREP 35min
COOK 1h 15min
READY IN 1h 50min
The following recipe gives directions on how to make a classic meatloaf with a combination of ground beef and pork. The vegetables are sautéed shortly to accentuate their flavors, and the meat is bound by eggs and breadcrumbs and glazed with ketchup.
Ingredients
Classic Meatloaf
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1/3 cup whole milk
1 medium onion
1 celery stalk
4 garlic cloves
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 ¼ tsp kosher salt, divided
1 ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, divided
3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 ½ lb ground beef chuck, preferably 20% fat
1/2 lb ground pork
2 large eggs
1/2 cup ketchup, divided, plus more for serving
Preparation
1
Classic Meatloaf
Step 1/7
Preheat the oven to 350˚F and adjust the rack to a central position. In a large bowl, soak breadcrumbs in milk. Line a baking dish with foil.
Step 2/7
Finely chop the onion, celery, and garlic by hand or in a food processor.
Step 3/7
Take a large skillet, place it over medium heat and heat the oil. Add onion, celery, and garlic with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, and then remove from heat.
Step 4/7
Mix in the Worcestershire sauce, and transfer this mixture to the bowl containing the soaked breadcrumbs. Now, add beef, pork, eggs, 1/4 cup ketchup, and the remaining salt and pepper. Combine using your hands.
Step 5/7
Form a meatloaf on a prepared baking sheet: it should be about 5-inches wide and well-packed. Apply the remaining 1/4 cup ketchup on the top using a brush.
Step 6/7
Bake for 60 to 75 minutes. The meatloaf is ready when the thermometer inserted in the center reads 155˚F.
Step 7/7
Leave the meatloaf to rest for 15 minutes and then slice. Serve with additional ketchup.
Other Variations
-
Old-fashioned Meatloaf
Ready in 1h 35minThe following is an example of a typical 1950s meatloaf and was adapted from the Betty Crocker’s Picture Cook Book. The pork and veal are bound with eggs and breadcrumbs and seasoned with sage. At the time, this meatloaf was usually served with mashed potatoes and canned green beans.
-
Egg and Spinach Stuffed Meatloaf
Ready in 1h 10minEgg-stuffed meatloaves are most commonly seen in Italian and Greek cuisine, and this recipe is more on the Italian side since it involves Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese and mortadella, plus the spinach pairs beautifully with eggs. Additionally, this meatloaf makes for great sandwich stuffing.
-
Turkey Meatloaf with Mushrooms and Spicy Tomato Jam
Ready in 1h 30minThe following is the recipe for a light yet extra-tasty type of meatloaf. Dark and white turkey meat and shiitake mushrooms are the main ingredients, and the meatloaf is bound with breadcrumbs and generously seasoned. A spicy tomato jam accompanies the meatloaf, the instructions for which are also included in the recipe.
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