Meatloaf is a classic favorite—a comfort food that comes together with a few pantry staples: ground beef and aromatics. While everyone has a go-to heirloom meatloaf recipe they grew up eating, they can mix things up for a welcome change and still take care of those nostalgic cravings. So, the next time one craves something nourishing and hearty, they can trade their tried-and-tested recipe for a few variations that are just as easy to prepare.
1. Classic meatloaf
The classic meatloaf deserves to be on top of the list and makes for a budget-friendly meal. To make it, one will need a few everyday ingredients: ground beef, eggs, onion, BBQ sauce, and breadcrumbs. Combine all the ingredients, then shape the meatloaf on a foil-lined baking sheet. Put it into an oven and bake for about 45 minutes at 350°F. A tip here is to sauté the onions till they are slightly brown in a neutral oil to bring out the flavors. Keep checking whether the meatloaf is cooked, and enjoy it with a side of mashed potatoes.
2. Meatloaf with a special glaze
While meatloaf tastes delicious just by itself, a glaze can go a long way in bringing out the meaty flavor. Coat the meatloaf in a mixture of Panko breadcrumbs, mustard, fresh parsley, milk, and one’s preferred seasoning to enhance the flavor. For the glaze, mix ketchup with brown sugar, garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, and vinegar. Slather on the meatloaf with the glaze, place it on a baking sheet for crispier edges and cook it at about 160°F. Test to check whether it’s done with a meat thermometer, then rest it for about 15 minutes before slicing it.
3. Air-fryer meatloaf
An air fryer is a good choice if one wants to reduce the cooking time of a meatloaf by almost half. A classic oven-baked meatloaf takes about an hour; however, this recipe is ready to serve in just 30 minutes. Plus, it is juicy and just as delicious as the oven-baked version.
For the loaf, one will need eggs, milk, crushed saltines, ground beef, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix these together, and place the mixture/loaf in the air fryer for about 20 minutes. Remove the loaf, add a glaze of one’s choice, and cook it for another 10 minutes till the meat is at 160°F. Let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving with a side of veggies and mashed potatoes.
4. Mini cheddar meatloaf
This recipe is a delicious, cheesy twist on the classic meatloaf; plus, it is gluten-free, as it uses oats instead of the usual breading. The mini cheddar meatloaf comes together with ground beef, milk, eggs, oats, onion, ketchup, and the star of the recipe, which is cheddar cheese. To make this umami flavor bomb, preheat the oven to about 350°F while whisking together the egg and milk in a large bowl. Top the mixture with oats, onion, salt, and cheese. Then, crumble the ground beef, add the ingredients mentioned before, and shape the mixture into eight loaves before placing them on a baking dish. In a smaller bowl, combine equal parts ketchup and mustard with some brown sugar to make a glaze. Slather it evenly on the loaves. Bake them for about 25 to 30 minutes till 160°F and serve them hot with a side of other goodies.
5. Grilled meatloaf
Head over to the grill to whip this delicious meatloaf. But before that, mix quick-cooking oats, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup in a bowl. Next, add the ground beef and mix everything well before shaping the mixture into two loaves. Place these on heavy-duty foil and cook for about 50 minutes till the thermometer reads 160°F. Once cooked, brush some ketchup over the top to bring out the flavor. Let the loaves rest for 10 minutes before slicing them up and digging in.
6. Instant pot meatloaf
This instant pot meatloaf is juicy, cooks under an hour, and retains the flavor of traditional meatloaf. To make this quick and easy version, all one needs to do is combine soft bread crumbs, milk, eggs, diced onions, ketchup, dried parsley flakes, and seasoned salt in a bowl. Add some ground beef and pork sausages into the bowl and mix thoroughly. Shape the mixture and place the loaf on an aluminum foil before sealing the sides of the loaf. Make sure that the loaf is not completely covered. Then, place it in an electric cooker or pot and remove it when ready. Brush it with some homemade BBQ sauce and serve with a side of mashed potatoes and veggies for a wholesome meal.
7. Meatloaf muffins
Here’s a recipe that can be prepped and frozen to be eaten on a later day. For this, one will need some root vegetables, ground beef, an egg, bread crumbs, BBQ sauce, and ketchup. Mix these ingredients in a large bowl. Then, coat a 12-cup muffin tin with some neutral oil and add the mixture to greased cups. Ensure that the cups are only 3/4th covered, and then bake these for about 15 minutes before brushing the tops with some ketchup. Continue baking these until the centers of the muffins are at 160°F. Eat them fresh or store them in airtight containers to be relished later.
