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Simple Meatloaf Recipe – Hearty and Healthy

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You don’t have to live in the midwest to crave a good meat and potatoes meal.

Meatloaf is such a comforting, easy meal to make. Yes, it is rustic. No, it’s not fancy. But it’s good. And filling. And fairly nutritious, depending on the ingredients used. Think of this recipe as a base. You can easily add some shredded carrots or zucchini to up the nutrition factor. Meatloaf freezes beautifully, so I always make 2, then put one in the freezer for another night.

Serve this easy meatloaf with some roasted sweet potatoes.

What is so great about this recipe is that if you can remember WHAT to put into it, it is really easy to eyeball the amounts you need.

Simple Meatloaf Recipe

What You Need:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 onion
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup barbecue sauce, divided
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper

Mix everything together in a large bowl, but only use 4 tbsp of the barbecue sauce. In an ungreased glass pan, form into a loaf. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Drizzle the rest of the barbecue sauce over the top, then bake another 20-30 minutes.

If you’re cooking from frozen, follow the same directions, but it may take up to 20 minutes more.

If you don’t have an hour to bake the meatloaf,a tip I use is baking the simple meatloaf recipe mixture in muffin tins. The smaller size cooks in nearly half the time. Just keep an eye on it. Start at about 15 minutes, and go from there.

Does your family eat meatloaf? Have you ever frozen it?

sarahbio

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10 Comments

  1. Meatloaf is a staple in our family. We barter for meat and always have alot of burger in the house. I love to cook it in the crockpot all day so I don’t have to worry about it, and then I can focus on my day and just the side dish. Our kids LOVE a “pizza loaf”, similar to the recipe above but with pizza sauce. If you put 2 string cheeses in the middle of it, it’s a fun stuffed meatloaf! We do mexi-loaf with salsa and nacho cheese and put it in tortilla wraps, and even french onion meatloaf. Thanks for your recipe. I can always use another twist on a favorite!

  2. Meatloaf is so comforting. My recipe is similar, very simple and now memorized from longtime use. I like the muffin tin idea, I’m thinking those could be very portable for lunches.

  3. I have had trouble making a loaf that doesn’t fall apart when I cut it. My mother always added whole oats to hers. I made some last night with one egg, 1/4 cup oats, minced onion and barbecue sauce. It has good flavor, but crumbled when cut. I even let it stand before slicing. Any tips?

    1. My mother in law taught me many years ago to add a bit of milk, beat together the eggs,milk,mixin the bread crumbs,then continue on with your other seasonings,ketsup,s & p etc

  4. This is a staple in our home. We make a 5pm one because my husband can eat 1/2 on his own!! It makes for yummy sandwiches next day. My dad makes it with ketchup instead of BBQ and mixes ketchup and hot sauces and glazes the top while baking. I do that plus add some diced kalsomine to the mix!

  5. My guy claims he hates meatloaf. So, I form little loaves and call them Salisbury steaks and he loves them. Go figure! I will try this recipe tonight.

  6. When i make a meatloaf, i make a huge batch, and end up with 2 full size meatloaves, half dozen burger patties and roll the rest into meatballs. Can make up to 8 meals if you include the meatloaf sammies the next day. Thanks for sharing your recipe.

  7. My family loves meatloaf! Many times I have made it with ground turkey and for the spiced I used poultry seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, and put them into four mini loaf pans. It’s perfect for all four of us. My hubby has eaten it and said he liked it, but then divulged his secret that he despises ground turkey in place of beef. Bless his heart for sparing my feelings. Lol! But with the turkey and the seasonings it tasted just like a little thanksgiving meal. Now I’ll be making meatloaf with beef and your recipe sounds delightful!

  8. I always make enough for 3 loaves. Have one for dinner and save the other for to more nights. Love a good meatloaf.