Best 4 Basic Meat Loaf Recipes

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**Meatloaf: A Classic Comfort Food with Endless Variations**

Meatloaf is a beloved comfort food enjoyed by people of all ages. This versatile dish can be made with a variety of meats, including beef, pork, and lamb. It is typically seasoned with herbs and spices, and often includes a binder such as eggs or breadcrumbs. Meatloaf can be baked, roasted, or grilled, and is often served with a savory glaze or sauce. In this article, we'll share three delicious meatloaf recipes that are sure to please everyone at your table. From a classic beef meatloaf to a unique turkey meatloaf with a cranberry glaze, these recipes offer something for every taste. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to create a hearty and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

BASIC MEAT LOAF



Basic Meat Loaf image

Since I can't have much salt, I've come up with a recipe for easy meatloaf that is really tasty without it. -Lillian Wittler, Wayne, Nebraska

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h

Yield 5 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup 2% milk
3 slices whole wheat bread, torn into pieces
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon rubbed sage
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
3 tablespoons ketchup

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, whisk egg and milk. Add bread; let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in onion, Worcestershire sauce and seasonings. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well., Shape into a loaf in a greased 11x7-in. baking pan. Bake, uncovered, for 35 minutes; drain. , Spoon ketchup over loaf. Bake until a thermometer reads 160°, 10-20 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 226 calories, Fat 10g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 96mg cholesterol, Sodium 276mg sodium, Carbohydrate 12g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

BASIC TEXAS MEAT LOAF



Basic Texas Meat Loaf image

Provided by Marialisa Calta

Categories     dinner, main course

Time 1h

Yield Four to six servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup chopped canned tomatoes, drained
1/2 cup finely diced celery
1/2 cup finely diced onion
1/2 cup finely diced green pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 large clove garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
4 thick slices bacon

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees
  • In a bowl, thoroughly combine the ground beef and pork. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs. Stir in the milk and oats. Pour into the meats. Mix thoroughly.
  • Add Worcestershire sauce, tomatoes, celery, onion, green pepper, salt, pepper, herbs and garlic. Mix well.
  • Form into oval loaf in a roasting pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste and lay the bacon lengthwise on top. Bake 50 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 469, UnsaturatedFat 18 grams, Carbohydrate 13 grams, Fat 34 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 27 grams, SaturatedFat 13 grams, Sodium 611 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 1 gram

OLD-FASHIONED MEAT LOAF - AKA 'BASIC' MEATLOAF RECIPE



Old-Fashioned Meat Loaf - Aka 'Basic' Meatloaf Recipe image

Provided by á-170456

Number Of Ingredients 12

TOPPING:
1 pound ground beef
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
1 egg lightly beaten
8 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juice
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon prepared mustard

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix all meat loaf ingredients well and place in a baking dish. Shape into a loaf. Topping: Mix ingredients for topping and spread on loaf. Bake for 1 hour. This recipe yields 4 servings.

BASIC LEAN MEAT LOAF



Basic Lean Meat Loaf image

Provided by Florence Fabricant

Categories     dinner, weekday, main course

Time 1h45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 1/3 cups finely chopped onion
4 large cloves garlic, minced
1 cup, packed, fine fresh white or whole wheat bread crumbs
1 1/2 pounds ground lean beef
White of 1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon finely minced fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon finely minced fresh sage
1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon tomato paste
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Basic lean tomato sauce (optional), or ketchup

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Heat a nonstick skillet, add onion and cook over low heat, stirring, about five minutes, until the onion starts to soften. Add garlic, stir, and cook over low heat 10 to 15 minutes longer, until onion and garlic start to brown. Remove from heat.
  • While the onion and garlic are cooking, put the bread crumbs in a bowl, moisten with half a cup of water and allow to soak.
  • Put the ground beef in a mixing bowl, the bowl of an electric mixer or a food processor. Add the egg white, cooked onion and garlic, thyme, sage, vinegar, tomato paste, salt and pepper. Squeeze out be bread crumbs and add them. Mix all the ingredients until they are very well blended by hand, with an electric beater or in a food processor.
  • Pack the mixture into a loaf pan 8 by 4 by 2 inches. Put in the oven and bake an hour and 15 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and pour all the liquid in the pan into a bowl. Skim off all the fat. Use the remaining juices as a light sauce for the meat loaf or add them to the tomato sauce. Serve with tomato sauce if desired, or prepared ketchup.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 374, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 29 grams, Fat 9 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 43 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 645 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 0 grams

Tips:

  • Use a variety of ground meats. This will give your meatloaf a more complex flavor. Ground beef, pork, and veal are all good choices.
  • Don't overmix the meatloaf mixture. Overmixing will make the meatloaf tough. Just mix until the ingredients are well combined.
  • Season the meatloaf mixture well. Use a variety of herbs and spices to give your meatloaf flavor. Some good choices include garlic, onion, salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, and basil.
  • Add some moisture to the meatloaf mixture. This will help keep the meatloaf moist and prevent it from becoming dry. Some good choices include eggs, milk, and bread crumbs.
  • Bake the meatloaf in a loaf pan. This will help the meatloaf hold its shape and cook evenly.
  • Let the meatloaf rest before slicing it. This will help the meatloaf hold its juices and prevent it from falling apart.

Conclusion:

Meatloaf is a classic comfort food that is easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious and flavorful meatloaf that your family and friends will love. So next time you're looking for a hearty and satisfying meal, give meatloaf a try!

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