Beef and Pork Meatloaf Recipes

Meatloaf makes the perfect dinner any night of the week. Read on for a roundup of delicious beef and pork meatloaf recipes to get on the table tonight!

Perfectly cooked slice of meatloaf with red sauce drizzled over the top.

Not only is meatloaf the ultimate comfort food, it also makes an incredibly easy family dinner. This meaty dish doesn’t need to be boring, either, as its name definitely implies. Get creative with your next loaf!

Use beef and pork as your delicious savory templates and create and expand from there! Use this yummy roundup as your guide for inspiration. Whichever route you go, enjoy tonight’s meaty dinner!

FAQ About Meatloaf

What meat is best for meatloaf?

Meatloaf turns out great when any variety of ground meat is used. Keep in mind that the fattier the meat (beef or sausage), the more grease will hang out in the bottom of the pan. Leaner meats such as ground turkey, lean beef or even venison still produce a delicious end result!

Why put crackers in meatloaf?

The purpose of adding crackers to meatloaf is to help the mixture stick together (along with eggs!). They also add flavor to the final dish. Just be sure not to add too many cracker crumbs or the opposite problem can happen: your meatloaf may fall apart.

Can I use crackers instead of breadcrumbs for meatloaf?

You can use equal parts cracker crumbs to replace breadcrumbs in just about any meatloaf recipe. Be sure the cracker crumbs are finely ground or the meatloaf may have issues with falling apart.

Meatloaf cook time?

If you are wondering about cooking times for cooking meatloaf all the way through, it takes an entire hour and a half. Make sure to place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet before putting it into the oven!

What should meatloaf internal temp be?

To ensure your meatloaf is fully cooked, stick a meat thermometer into the center. You will want to achieve an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.

Why does my meatloaf fall apart?

Letting it sit for at least 15 minutes after pulling it out of the oven is a vital step if you wish to keep your meal intact. The egg and crackers will work their magic and hold the meatloaf together, but it may fall apart if you slice too soon.

Spins on Beef and Pork Meatloaf Recipes

Go traditional, mixing beef and pork or using just one of the above.
Give it an Italian spin, using Italian seasoning and pork.
Turn your loaf into “muffins” for a unique spin on the standard size and shape.
Dress it up with a unique sauce such as a creamy gravy or a sweet and tangy red sauce.
Throw your next meatloaf into your air fryer or Instant Pot!
Add cheese to the meat mixture and/or on top.
Veggies always add a nice crunch and flavor, such as bell peppers, onions or mushrooms. Be sure to chop them finely to avoid a crumbly end result.
Load up on the pork by adding bacon! Line up bacon slices over the top before baking.

What To Serve With Meatloaf

Check out this comprehensive list of side dishes that pair perfectly with meatloaf! You will find 44 options to choose from, ranging from a simple hash brown casserole to a chopped salad to marinated carrots (and so much more!).

What To Do With Leftover Meatloaf

Make meatloaf tacos.
Add to a batch of chili, yum!
Create leftover meatloaf sandwiches.
Crumble it up and throw into spaghetti sauce to create leftover meatloaf spaghetti.
Break into pieces and add it to your next batch of nachos.
Build a few meatball subs, substituting meatballs for chunks of meatloaf.

Substitute for Bread Crumbs in Meatloaf

Whether you are looking for a gluten-free replacement or you just don’t have bread crumbs on hand, learn what to substitute for bread crumbs in this dish!

Affordable Dinner Ideas Using Ground Beef as a Main Ingredient

Make dinner and affordable with this delicious list of dinner ideas using ground beef. Ground beef does not need to be boring!

Ground Beef and Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipes

Simplify dinner tonight! Create an easy, affordable and delicious meal using two hearty main ingredients. Click over for a handful of ground beef and cream of mushroom soup recipes!

Meatloaf Recipe with Crackers

A fork stuck into the top of a slice of meatloaf topped with sauce.

This is the best meatloaf recipe with crackers you’ll ever eat and it is such an easy classic dish. It’ll quickly become a favorite family meal!

Mini meatloaf muffins sitting on a white plate.

This Italian meatloaf muffin recipe (from Butter and Baggage) is an easy way to share individual servings of meatloaf. Top it with a tasty homemade marinara sauce or catchup for a new take on a classic dinner recipe. Mini meatloaf portions are easy to freeze in lunch or dinner portions and make for perfect left-overs.

Serving platter with brown gravy covering large slices of meatloaf.

This Brown Gravy Meatloaf (from Mantitlement) is the best meatloaf recipe ever! Every time we make this meatloaf, it comes out perfect – and we make it a lot!

Thin sliced meatloaf on a serving platter.

Making meatloaf in the Air Fryer (from My Forking Life) became a game changer for us. Now you can make delicious moist meatloaf in less time in your Air Fryer.

White baking pan with Italian sauce on top of meatloaf sitting on a bed of pasta.

Slow Cooker Italian Meatloaf (from Mama Gourmand) tastes exactly like a giant meatball served on spaghetti. This easy weeknight recipe combines ground beef, parmesan, seasonings, and bread crumbs, all smothered in marinara sauce, and cooked in the crock pot.

Top view of a meatloaf sitting on parchment paper in a tin pan with slices cut into it.

This Smoked Meatloaf (from Hot Pan Kitchen) recipe is a healthy version of the classic. Made on your wood pellet grill (like a Traeger), or on a smoker, it’s easy to make and tastes delicious. It’s also gluten free, paleo, and Whole30 compliant!

Cast iron skillet with meatloaf cut into triangles like a pie.

This Cast Iron Meatloaf recipe (from Grilled Cheese Social) has been passed down to me from my mom! It’s super easy to make and incredibly moist and delicious! And best of all, it doesn’t have to be made in a cast iron – but it does make it extra delish! This dinner recipe has been a staple in my family for my whole life so I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Slices of meatloaf on a cutting board next to a glass jar of sauce.

This easy to make meatloaf recipe (from Chef Billy Parisi) is the ultimate comfort food made from few ingredients and that is guaranteed to bring smiles around your table

Slices of meatloaf on a plate with cooked carrots and potatoes.

The Best Cheesy Meatloaf Recipe Ever (from Montana Happy) is going to put an end to your hunt for the best meatloaf recipe in existence. Strong statement, I know. It’s something I can say with confidence.