How to Make Meatloaf
Here I am right in the middle of making a meatloaf. I'm crushing the crackers right in the package. I'm making the meatloaf recipe called, "Easy Meatloaf."
There must be hundreds of ways to cook meatloaf. I believe every family has their own recipe. The key to a juicy meatloaf is not over-mixing it, and not overcooking it.The first recipe below is the recipe I generally use. It's an easy recipe that I call "Georgia style". Great with mashed potatoes and green beans or corn. Use leftovers for meatloaf sandwiches. You can make miniature meatloaves for a change of pace too.
Note: Try meatloaf with chunks of Mozzarella cheese inside. That sounds GOOD!
My Favorite Meatloaf
- 1 lb ground beef plus 1/2 lb ground sausage
- 1 pkg crackers, crushed ( or 1 cup dry instant oats)
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons sage
- salt and pepper
- small chopped onion
- 1/2 cup catsup (or enough to bind altogether)
Put all the above ingredients in a bowl and then stir it up with both your hands. Keep mixing it until it starts to stick together. Add a little more catsup if you need to, to get it to stick together.
Recipe from Catherine in Georgia
Topping for Meatloaf:
1/4 cup catsup
2 tsp brown sugar
Small squirt of mustard
Mix together and spread on meatloaf before cooking. Place meatloaf on your pan and form into a loaf shape. Cook in 350 oven 45 minutes to 1 hr.
My Note: Here lately, I've just been laying strips of bacon on the top. This make a pretty big meatloaf.
Easy Meatloaf
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 pkg crackers, crushed
- 1 egg
- salt and pepper
- small chopped onion (optional)
- 1/2 cup catsup
Preheat your toaster oven to 325°. Make sure you have your pan out, ready to form the meatloaf in. Put all the above ingredients in a bowl. Mix it up with your hands until it sticks together. Add a little more catsup if you need to, or another egg, whatever it will take to get it to stick together.
Cook 45 min at 325°.
My Note: This is enough for a couple to eat, with some meatloaf sandwiches the next day. This is generally the recipe I use. You can also use half a package of Dry Onion Soup mix, instead of the chopped onion, and salt and pepper.
Real Easy Meatloaf
- 2 lbs hamburger
- 1 cup mushroom soup
- 2 eggs
- salt, pepper
- 2 cups cracker or bread crumbs.
Mix well and bake in a pan set in a pan of water.
Meat Loaf 1
- 1 lb hamburger
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1 1/4 c. dry bread crumbs
- 1 1/4 c. milk
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/4 c. minced onion
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1/4 tsp. celery salt
- 1/4 tsp. garlic salt
- 1/4 tsp. sage
- 1 Tblsp. Worcestershire sauce
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Put in ungreased 9x5 loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hrs.
Recipe from Southern South Dakota
Meatloaf Stuffed Pumpkin: If you want to try something new, how about a meatloaf in a pumpkin?!
Meatloaf Stuffed Pumpkin
- Clean out pumpkin and soak in salt water 4 hours or overnight.
- Make a meatloaf and stuff inside.
- Top with 2 or 3 tablespoons molasses.
- Put the top back on and roast in a 350 oven for an hour and a half to 2 hours depending on size.
- When done remove top, cut open like a flower in 6 slices and serve.
- Scrape pumpkin from peel on your plate and add butter.
Recipe from a friend.
Here's what the Meatloaf in a Pumpkin looks like sliced. Everyone gets their own slice.
Meatloaf 2
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 egg, slightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped onion
- 2/3 cup soft or dry bread crumbs
- 2/3 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well. Press into a greased loaf pan. Bake in a moderate oven 350 for 30 to 40 minutes. Serve with tomato sauce or mushroom sauce.
Recipe from a 1961 recipe book
Here's what the Meatloaf in a Pumpkin looks like sliced. Everyone gets their own slice.
Meatloaf Recipe 3
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
- 1 cup uncooked oatmeal
- 1 onion, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup tomato juice
- 1 egg
Mix together. Pack in loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Let set 5 minutes before slicing.
Recipe from a 1977 cookbook
Meatloaf and Gravy Recipe
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 4 slices bread
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 small can tomato sauce
Soak bread in a little milk, add other ingredients. Shape into loaf. Place in shallow pan. Bake 10 minutes then add 1/2 can water to remaining tomato sauce and pour over loaf. Continue baking for 50 minutes 350 degree oven. Remove meat loaf from pan and add a little water to the juice in pan and thicken with water and flour to make gravy to serve over meatloaf.
See the recipe: Meatloaf with Gravy
Ann Landers Meatloaf
- 2 lbs. ground round steak
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 3/4 cup catsup
- 1 tsp. Accent
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1 pkg. Lipton Onion soup mix
Beat ingredients thoroughly. Put into loaf pan. Cover with 2 strips bacon. Pour over all, one 8 oz can Hunt's tomato sauce. Bake 1 hour at 350°. Serves 4.
Golden Meat Loaf
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 2 tsp. salt
- 3 slices bread
- 1 small onion
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
Mix together well and put into a loaf pan.
Mix together and spread on top: 1/4 cup ketchup, 1 tbsp dry mustard, 1/4 cup brown sugar
Bake at 350 for one hour.
Cheese Meatloaf
- 1 small onion
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup uncooked quick rolled oats
- 1/2 cup cut up cheese
Chop onion. Mix all ingredients well. Shape in a loaf in a baking pan. Bake at 350 (moderate oven) about 1 hour until browned.
Italian Meatloaf
- 2 lbs. hamburger
- 1/2 lb. pork
- 12 saltines, crushed
- 1 egg
- 1 small bell pepper, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped fine
- salt and pepper to taste
Mix. Shape into loaf. Dust with flour all around. Brown on both sides in 1 Tblsp. bacon grease. Add 1 large can whole tomatoes. Mix 1 Tblsp. flour in some water and add with tomatoes. Simmer or bake in oven for 1 hour.
Recipe from Faith Lutheran Church, Parkston, SD recipebook pg 115
More Ground Beef recipes
- Easy Beef Stew Recipe - Easy to make, my own recipe.
- Beef and Steak recipes - Beef Stroganoff and similar dishes.
- Easy Casserole Recipes - Macaroni and Cheese casseroles are here.
- Easy Chili Recipes - My own recipe for chili, I prefer it not hot!
- Ground Beef RecipesStuffed Green Peppers and more.
- Sweet and Sour Dishes - Chinese sweet and sour over rice.
- KrautBurgers - Krautburgers are one of my favorites!
- Meat Pies Recipes - Original recipe for meatpies, just like hot pockets!
- Spaghetti and Sauce Recipes - Spaghetti sauce from scratch, Ziti and Lasagna.
- Taco Recipes - Every recipe I could find using taco seasoning.
- Easy Rice Dishes Recipes - My favorite easy dishes for rice.
Food for Thought:
"The best thing about growing older is that all those things you wanted and couldn't afford when you were younger, you no longer want."