Fast and Easy Meatloaf Recipe with Few Ingredients (2024)

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With a few simple ingredients, you can have this Traditional Fast and Easy Meatloaf Recipejust like Mom used to make!

Fast and Easy Meatloaf Recipe with Few Ingredients (1)

Nothing says comfort food like a meatloaf. And not just any meatloaf. I’m talking about the meatloaf your mom made when you were a kid. The kind that with one whiff, you are transported back to yourchildhood. Memories of running in the door, STARVING after a long day of school, and being envelopedin not only the warmth of mom’s kitchen but of all the incredible smells coming from the oven. Nothingelse matters at that point, only wondering when dinner is and if you can possibly survive until then.

Mom smiles and offers you a glass of milk to curb your appetite while you wait. But you can only wait solong.

That is the way meatloaf makes me feel like I am in mom’s cozy kitchen. The recipe isn’t fancy. Itdoesn’t need to be. Whatever struggles and stresses the day might have brought, melt away with onesmell, and all of those childhood memories come flooding back. And now you can pass down thisamazing memory to the next generation, who in turn can pass it on to theirs.

Fast and Easy Meatloaf Recipe

This easy meatloaf dish is perfect for a midweek meal as well as a Sunday dinner. Serve the meatloaf with homemade mashed potatoes, peas, carrots, or your preferred steamed or roasted vegetables for a delicious meal. Moreover, meatloaf goes nicely with , rice pilaf, or scalloped potatoes. This amazing homemade meatloaf recipe has a tangy and sweet garnish and is juicy and soft on the inside. This seasoning is wonderfully balanced. Ketchup-based toppings have a fantastic flavor boost. You could scoff at the idea of comfort food, but meatloaf is unquestionably on the list. This recipe for traditional homemade meatloaf is flavorful, moist, and tender.

Everyone has their recipe for this dish, which is commonly handed down through generations, whether it is cooked with ground beef or ground turkey, ketchup, or sauce. A hearty, dense dish called meatloaf is created with meat, vegetables, and sometimes a stabilizing ingredient like breadcrumbs. You have complete control over the ingredient mix! Make a meatloaf that the entire family will eat and appreciate. As mouthwatering as meatloaf is, it’s hardly a stand-alone dish. Many sides pair well with meatloaf. Pair it with a starchy side like mash or boiled potatoes for a robust supper filling.

Fast and Easy Meatloaf Recipe with Few Ingredients (2)

Other Recipes

Of course, meatloaf would be amazing by itself, but everyone knows mom wouldn’t make just that.Creamy mashed potatoes with homemade gravy are a favorite or macaroni and cheese with those littleFrench fried onion rings on top are a couple of sides she loved to serve along with it.

Many times green beans cooked with bacon and onions or broiled asparagus spears were added into themix. And of course, rolls served hot or a big crusty piece of bread and butter goes fantastic with it, aswell.

A warm fruit cobbler or baked apples make for a lovely and lighter dessert after this wonderfullyfulfilling meal.

Nothing says “Made with love” like this delicious, incredibly fast, and easy meatloaf.

Fast and Easy Meatloaf Recipe with Few Ingredients (3)

Be sure to make plenty of this fast and easy Meatloaf, you may want leftovers so you can enjoy this Meatloaf Sandwich – another classic childhood favorite!

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Fast and Easy Meatloaf Recipe with Few Ingredients (4)

Fast and Easy Meatloaf

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With a few simple ingredients you can have Meatloaf just like Mom used to make.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 mins
  • Yield: 68 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 pounds of Ground Beef
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup ketchup

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
  2. Mix all ingredients except ketchup together in a large bowl until well combined
  3. Shape into loaf pan
  4. Pour ketchup over top
  5. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes or until cooked through
  6. Let stand 5 minutes before serving
  • Author: PocketChangeGourmet.com
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Main Dish

Why You’ll Love this Fast and Easy Meatloaf Recipe?

A no-fuss recipe: There are only a few simple ingredients needed to make this meatloaf. It is very simple to prepare, making it ideal for hectic evenings.

It slices beautifully: meatloaf is simple to portion, and it’s excellent for leftovers, lunches, and dinner preparation.

Super hearty: The meatloaf is made tender and incredibly hearty, nourishing, especially during the winter.

Some Tips and Tricks

  • By preventing the proteins from binding too soon, adding baking soda to the beef keeps it wet (which dries out the meat).
  • The meatloaf is kept soft and moist by soaked breadcrumbs.
  • Both the glaze and the ketchup in the meatloaf mixture give the dish richness and added depth of flavor

Health Benefits of Fast and Easy Meatloaf

1. Source of Protein

High sources of protein are found in meat. As a result, it is a typical dietary plan for those who want to gain muscle or exercise for a better body type. The protein also helps in many other body systems that perform diverse growth and health functions.

2. Brain Development

Due to its high protein content, the dish is also beneficial for brain development. The protein can aid to increase the brain’s capacity and keep the brain nerves in peak operating condition. Thus, it is beneficial for both children and the elderly to continue eating this food daily in sufficient amounts. It will enable effective brain growth control.

3. Improve Muscle

An additional benefit is that it helps to build muscles. The meat will assist in both the development of the muscle and the addition of muscular mass. Regular exercise will help you get good abdominal and a well-shaped body. The same benefits of glutamine can aid to increase muscle strength.

4. Fully Stomach

One food that can assist to speed up stomach fullness is meat. It makes sense that this cuisine should be a staple of any diet or fast. This is crucial for people who are on a diet or fasting to keep their stomachs full for an extended amount of time. As a result, hunger will be reduced and weight control will improve.

5. Improve Memory

Homemade meatloaf has many beneficial properties, including enhancing memory. This food’s protein, vitamins, and minerals can help to strengthen the brain’s memory-related nerves. This helps tomaintain a healthy brain and memory.

6. Avoid Dementia

The food’s protein content is beneficial for enhancing aged people’s mental capacity. Therefore, it is a fantastic strategy to decrease your risk of developing dementia as well. The capacity of the brain and memory will decline with advancing age. This food’s mineral content will aid in maintaining mental stability and preventing dementia’s early symptoms.

7. Avoid Anemia

Furthermore, meatloaf contains iron, which helps control the production of red blood cells. This is one of the crucial components to help reduce the risk of developing anemia. Additionally, it can optimizemuch oxygen is delivered to each blood cell. The same health advantages of guava for anemia also help prevent anemia.

8. Better Bone Development

The meatloaf contains calcium, which is beneficial for managing better bone. It aids in increasing bone mass and promotes healthy bone growth.

9. Source of Energy

A considerable source of energy can be found in meat. It is a terrific dish to prepare for breakfast or lunch because it will help you the most in maintaining daily activities. Furthermore, it will ensure that athletes have enough energy to practice.

10. Improve Metabolic Rate

Meat helps the metabolic system function better since it can conserve energy needs. As a result, it converts food into essential energy with a stronger metabolism and an even greater metabolic rate.

Storage Tips

After combining the ingredients and shaping the loaf, cover it tightly in plastic wrap before putting it in an airtight freezer bag. In the freezer, raw meatloaf should remain edible for up to six months. It is important to take into account whether the meat was frozen before being used to make the meatloaf.

Nutrition Information

Per serving:

Calories289 kcalCarbohydrates26 g
Protein28 gFat8 g
Saturated Fat4 gPotassium539 mg
Iron5 mgSodium860 mg
Vitamin A180IUFiber1 g
Sugar12 gVitamin C2 mg
Cholesterol110 mgCalcium55 mg

Fast and Easy Meatloaf Recipe with Few Ingredients (5)

Chef

Fast and Easy Meatloaf Recipe with Few Ingredients (2024)

FAQs

What is the basic meatloaf formula? ›

In essence, it boils down to a few simple steps: Combine ground meat, eggs, breadcrumbs, and other flavorful ingredients of your choice. Put this mixture in a lightly greased loaf pan and bake it until it's cooked through.

What is the key to a good meatloaf? ›

Use high-fat meat.

The leaner the meat, the dryer and grainier the meatloaf. For an all-beef meatloaf, always use a higher-fat cut, at least 15 percent. For a meatloaf made with a leaner beef or turkey, consider mixing in some ground pork and/or veal in order to achieve a moist, tender meatloaf.

What ingredient keeps meatloaf from falling apart? ›

Bread crumbs serve as a binding agent for the loaf, helping it not crumble after it's cooked.

Should I cook my meatloaf covered or uncovered? ›

Should I cook my meatloaf covered or uncovered? The meatloaf can be cooked uncovered. However, if you are concerned about it burning, you can cover the meatloaf with foil for the first 45 minutes and uncover it for the final 15 minutes to allow the meatloaf to brown on top.

What is traditional meatloaf made of? ›

No bells and whistles - just a few ingredients including beef, egg, bread crumbs and a simple tomato-based topping. Use a gentle touch with ground beef. Over-mixing will result in burgers, meatballs or meatloaves with a firm texture.

Why milk instead of water in meatloaf? ›

Milk and other dairy products, like heavy cream and buttermilk, contain both water and fat, adding two types of moisture to our meatloaf. There's a long-held theory that milk can tenderize ground meat, and this is the reason often cited for cooking ground meat in milk to make a Bolognese-style ragù.

Is it better to bake meatloaf on a sheet pan or loaf pan? ›

Not only does sheet pan meatloaf bake up faster than its traditional loaf-shaped cousin, it also has more surface area, meaning every bite is laden with that deliciously caramelized topping.

What can you put under meatloaf to soak up grease? ›

A neat trick to soak up the grease under your meatloaf is to line the bottom of the pan with bread slices. The bread soaks up the grease as the loaf bakes. When the meatloaf is done, you can either throw out the bread or bake it to make some truly indulgent toast.

Is it better to cook meatloaf at 350 or 375? ›

The oven temperature is typically set at 350 degrees F for making meatloaf. That's the temperature you want to be sure to use so the meatloaf cooks and doesn't dry out. Too high, and the outer crust will burn before the interior is cooked all the way, too low and you don't get that delicious crust.

What happens if you put too many eggs in meatloaf? ›

For an average meat loaf, use 1/2 to 3/4 cup fresh, soft bread crumbs to every pound of meat. When using fine, dry crumbs, use half as much. Other Ingredients: Eggs bind the mixture, add flavor and increase browning, but too much egg will make a meat loaf tough and rubbery.

What helps hold meatloaf together? ›

Luckily, some of the same things that keep our meatloaf moist also keep it together: binders. The name should make it clear, obviously, but binders like breadcrumbs and eggs cook together to give your meatloaf structure. There is one more thing that helps to hold a meatloaf together, and that is mixing.

What is the basic meatloaf formula with ketchup? ›

Mix ground beef, onion, salt, pepper and garlic powder in a bowl. Mix in bread, milk, egg, 1 tbsp mustard, and 1/4 cup ketchup. Press mixture into a loaf and put in baking dish.

What is the ratio of meat in meatloaf mix? ›

The ratio of meatloaf mix is usually 1:1:1, meaning that you'll need equal parts ground beef, ground pork, and ground veal. Just figure out how much meat your recipe needs, divide by three, and use that measurement for each type of meat.

What is the best binder for meatloaf? ›

The most traditional meatloaf binder is probably torn up bread soaked in milk, but you can also use bread crumbs, Panko, dehydrated potato (instant mashed potatoes), or just about any other grain.

What percent ground beef is best for meatloaf? ›

Like meatballs, many meatloaf recipes include a blend of meat, which will determine whether you need fattier or leaner beef. If it's an all-beef recipe, avoid 90/10, and go for 80/20 or 85/15. Most recipes call for 70/30 or 80/20 ground beef, which makes a rich and juicy burger patty with a good exterior crust.

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