Fast and Easy Meatloaf Recipe with Few Ingredients (2024)

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With a few simple ingredients, you can have this Traditional Fast and Easy Meatloaf Recipejust like Mom used to make!

Fast and Easy Meatloaf Recipe with Few Ingredients (1)

Nothing says comfort food like a meatloaf. And not just any meatloaf. I’m talking about the meatloaf your mom made when you were a kid. The kind that with one whiff, you are transported back to yourchildhood. Memories of running in the door, STARVING after a long day of school, and being envelopedin not only the warmth of mom’s kitchen but of all the incredible smells coming from the oven. Nothingelse matters at that point, only wondering when dinner is and if you can possibly survive until then.

Mom smiles and offers you a glass of milk to curb your appetite while you wait. But you can only wait solong.

That is the way meatloaf makes me feel like I am in mom’s cozy kitchen. The recipe isn’t fancy. Itdoesn’t need to be. Whatever struggles and stresses the day might have brought, melt away with onesmell, and all of those childhood memories come flooding back. And now you can pass down thisamazing memory to the next generation, who in turn can pass it on to theirs.

Fast and Easy Meatloaf Recipe

This easy meatloaf dish is perfect for a midweek meal as well as a Sunday dinner. Serve the meatloaf with homemade mashed potatoes, peas, carrots, or your preferred steamed or roasted vegetables for a delicious meal. Moreover, meatloaf goes nicely with , rice pilaf, or scalloped potatoes. This amazing homemade meatloaf recipe has a tangy and sweet garnish and is juicy and soft on the inside. This seasoning is wonderfully balanced. Ketchup-based toppings have a fantastic flavor boost. You could scoff at the idea of comfort food, but meatloaf is unquestionably on the list. This recipe for traditional homemade meatloaf is flavorful, moist, and tender.

Everyone has their recipe for this dish, which is commonly handed down through generations, whether it is cooked with ground beef or ground turkey, ketchup, or sauce. A hearty, dense dish called meatloaf is created with meat, vegetables, and sometimes a stabilizing ingredient like breadcrumbs. You have complete control over the ingredient mix! Make a meatloaf that the entire family will eat and appreciate. As mouthwatering as meatloaf is, it’s hardly a stand-alone dish. Many sides pair well with meatloaf. Pair it with a starchy side like mash or boiled potatoes for a robust supper filling.

Fast and Easy Meatloaf Recipe with Few Ingredients (2)

Other Recipes

Of course, meatloaf would be amazing by itself, but everyone knows mom wouldn’t make just that.Creamy mashed potatoes with homemade gravy are a favorite or macaroni and cheese with those littleFrench fried onion rings on top are a couple of sides she loved to serve along with it.

Many times green beans cooked with bacon and onions or broiled asparagus spears were added into themix. And of course, rolls served hot or a big crusty piece of bread and butter goes fantastic with it, aswell.

A warm fruit cobbler or baked apples make for a lovely and lighter dessert after this wonderfullyfulfilling meal.

Nothing says “Made with love” like this delicious, incredibly fast, and easy meatloaf.

Fast and Easy Meatloaf Recipe with Few Ingredients (3)

Be sure to make plenty of this fast and easy Meatloaf, you may want leftovers so you can enjoy this Meatloaf Sandwich – another classic childhood favorite!

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Fast and Easy Meatloaf Recipe with Few Ingredients (4)

Fast and Easy Meatloaf

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With a few simple ingredients you can have Meatloaf just like Mom used to make.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 mins
  • Yield: 68 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 pounds of Ground Beef
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup ketchup

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
  2. Mix all ingredients except ketchup together in a large bowl until well combined
  3. Shape into loaf pan
  4. Pour ketchup over top
  5. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes or until cooked through
  6. Let stand 5 minutes before serving
  • Author: PocketChangeGourmet.com
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Main Dish

Why You’ll Love this Fast and Easy Meatloaf Recipe?

A no-fuss recipe: There are only a few simple ingredients needed to make this meatloaf. It is very simple to prepare, making it ideal for hectic evenings.

It slices beautifully: meatloaf is simple to portion, and it’s excellent for leftovers, lunches, and dinner preparation.

Super hearty: The meatloaf is made tender and incredibly hearty, nourishing, especially during the winter.

Some Tips and Tricks

  • By preventing the proteins from binding too soon, adding baking soda to the beef keeps it wet (which dries out the meat).
  • The meatloaf is kept soft and moist by soaked breadcrumbs.
  • Both the glaze and the ketchup in the meatloaf mixture give the dish richness and added depth of flavor

Health Benefits of Fast and Easy Meatloaf

1. Source of Protein

High sources of protein are found in meat. As a result, it is a typical dietary plan for those who want to gain muscle or exercise for a better body type. The protein also helps in many other body systems that perform diverse growth and health functions.

2. Brain Development

Due to its high protein content, the dish is also beneficial for brain development. The protein can aid to increase the brain’s capacity and keep the brain nerves in peak operating condition. Thus, it is beneficial for both children and the elderly to continue eating this food daily in sufficient amounts. It will enable effective brain growth control.

3. Improve Muscle

An additional benefit is that it helps to build muscles. The meat will assist in both the development of the muscle and the addition of muscular mass. Regular exercise will help you get good abdominal and a well-shaped body. The same benefits of glutamine can aid to increase muscle strength.

4. Fully Stomach

One food that can assist to speed up stomach fullness is meat. It makes sense that this cuisine should be a staple of any diet or fast. This is crucial for people who are on a diet or fasting to keep their stomachs full for an extended amount of time. As a result, hunger will be reduced and weight control will improve.

5. Improve Memory

Homemade meatloaf has many beneficial properties, including enhancing memory. This food’s protein, vitamins, and minerals can help to strengthen the brain’s memory-related nerves. This helps tomaintain a healthy brain and memory.

6. Avoid Dementia

The food’s protein content is beneficial for enhancing aged people’s mental capacity. Therefore, it is a fantastic strategy to decrease your risk of developing dementia as well. The capacity of the brain and memory will decline with advancing age. This food’s mineral content will aid in maintaining mental stability and preventing dementia’s early symptoms.

7. Avoid Anemia

Furthermore, meatloaf contains iron, which helps control the production of red blood cells. This is one of the crucial components to help reduce the risk of developing anemia. Additionally, it can optimizemuch oxygen is delivered to each blood cell. The same health advantages of guava for anemia also help prevent anemia.

8. Better Bone Development

The meatloaf contains calcium, which is beneficial for managing better bone. It aids in increasing bone mass and promotes healthy bone growth.

9. Source of Energy

A considerable source of energy can be found in meat. It is a terrific dish to prepare for breakfast or lunch because it will help you the most in maintaining daily activities. Furthermore, it will ensure that athletes have enough energy to practice.

10. Improve Metabolic Rate

Meat helps the metabolic system function better since it can conserve energy needs. As a result, it converts food into essential energy with a stronger metabolism and an even greater metabolic rate.

Storage Tips

After combining the ingredients and shaping the loaf, cover it tightly in plastic wrap before putting it in an airtight freezer bag. In the freezer, raw meatloaf should remain edible for up to six months. It is important to take into account whether the meat was frozen before being used to make the meatloaf.

Nutrition Information

Per serving:

Calories289 kcalCarbohydrates26 g
Protein28 gFat8 g
Saturated Fat4 gPotassium539 mg
Iron5 mgSodium860 mg
Vitamin A180IUFiber1 g
Sugar12 gVitamin C2 mg
Cholesterol110 mgCalcium55 mg

Fast and Easy Meatloaf Recipe with Few Ingredients (5)

Chef

Fast and Easy Meatloaf Recipe with Few Ingredients (2024)

FAQs

What is the basic meatloaf formula? ›

The Basic Meatloaf Formula

All recipes for meatloaf start with the same basic formula: 2 pounds of ground meat and a “panade” made of bread or crackers soaked in milk. Along with a few eggs, this panade helps to hold the ground meat together and adds some essential moisture to the mix.

What do you put in meatloaf to keep it from falling apart? ›

In meatloaf, this is most commonly the eggs and breadcrumbs. Your binding ingredient is only second to the meat itself in your recipe and the reason why meatloaf crumbles. When this happens, it's because you didn't use enough. Next time, try adding in an extra egg and/or some more breadcrumbs.

Do you cover meatloaf when baking? ›

Should I cook my meatloaf covered or uncovered? The meatloaf can be cooked uncovered. However, if you are concerned about it burning, you can cover the meatloaf with foil for the first 45 minutes and uncover it for the final 15 minutes to allow the meatloaf to brown on top.

What not to put in meatloaf? ›

Onions, garlic and celery do pose one problem though: they don't cook down easily. Little bits of crunchy onion or celery or potent, hot garlic will spoil the comforting aspect of eating meatloaf.

Why milk instead of water in meatloaf? ›

Is it better to add milk or water in meatloaf? Without question, it is better to use milk in meatloaf. The added fat adds richness and moist texture to the meatloaf, and the added milk proteins encourage additional browning reactions (which means more flavor).

Is it better to bake meatloaf in glass or metal? ›

Metal pans are great conductors of heat; in other words, they heat up quickly, but in turn, they also cool down more rapidly once removed from the heat source. Additionally, metal pans can withstand higher temperatures than glass.

What is traditional meatloaf made of? ›

Combine ground beef, onion, milk, bread crumbs and egg in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper. Transfer into prepared loaf pan. Mix ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard together in a small bowl until well combined; pour over meatloaf and spread it evenly over the top.

What to use instead of breadcrumbs in meatloaf? ›

What Can You Substitute Bread Crumbs in Meatloaf With?
  1. Rolled Oats: When it comes to breadcrumb substitutes, rolled oats are one of the leading contenders. ...
  2. Crushed Crackers: An equally viable alternative is crushed crackers.
Sep 1, 2023

How to season meat loaf? ›

One common meatloaf seasoning recipe for a 2-pound meatloaf is:
  1. ½ tsp. salt.
  2. 1 tsp. pepper.
  3. 2 tsp. paprika.
  4. 1 tsp. basil.
  5. 1 tsp. garlic powder.
  6. 1 tsp. onion powder.
  7. 2 tsp. dried mustard.
  8. ¼ tsp. dried thyme.
Sep 1, 2023

Why do you need ketchup in meatloaf? ›

Most of the other ingredients can be switched out, such as oatmeal or crackers instead of breadcrumbs or egg substitute instead of eggs, but without ketchup inside the mixture and as part of the glaze on top, you're missing that touch of sweetness and acidity that balances out the other ingredients.

What is the best binder for meatloaf? ›

If you don't have any bread, you can substitute it for breadcrumbs, crackers, cereal grains, oatmeal, instant rice, instant barley, or even potato flakes! However, bread is still the best choice of all the potential options.

What are the compounds of meat loaf? ›

The typical meatloaf contains ground meat and bread crumbs, together with eggs, vegetables and seasonings (salt, pepper, catsup, etc.). Each of these ingredients in turn is composed of various combinations of proteins, carbohydrates, fat, water, vitamins and minerals, the building blocks of all foods.

What is American meatloaf made of? ›

Mix ground beef, quick oats, onion, milk, eggs, 1/4 cup ketchup, parsley, garlic, salt, basil, and black pepper together in a large bowl until thoroughly combined; pat the mixture into a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Bake meatloaf in the preheated oven until firm and no longer pink inside, 1 to 1 1/4 hours.

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