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!
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
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
Beef and Pork Meatloaf Recipes
Meatloaf Recipe with Crackers
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!
Italian Meatloaf Muffin Recipe
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.
Brown Gravy 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!
How To Make Meatloaf In Your Air Fryer
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.
Italian Meatloaf
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.
Smoked Meatloaf
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!
My Mom’s Cast Iron Meatloaf
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!
Country Style Meatloaf
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
Cheesy Meatloaf Recipe
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.
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