Although there are many varieties of meatloaf, it is generally defined as ground meat formed in the shape of a loaf that is baked or smoked. It is usually made from ground beef, but ground lamb, seafood, poultry, veal, venison, and pork all make great substitutions.
Because the meat tends to dry out, it is often stuffed with ingredients like cheese or vegetables or topped with sauce to help lock in the moisture.
It is difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of meatloaf, but it may have evolved as years went by. It can be traced back to times as early as the 5th century when a similar dish was featured in an ancient Roman cookery collection.
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Since then, it has evolved in German, Scandinavian and Belgian cultures who recognize it as a cousin to the Dutch meatball.
The recipe did not appear in American cookbooks until the late 19th century. In this culture, it was said to have its origins in scrapple, which is scraps of pork and other meat stewed with cornmeal and shaped into loaves for slicing and frying.
So, we see that a meatloaf recipe is as varied as the cook who makes it. Some make meatloaf as an old-fashioned comfort food, carrying on a tradition of a home cooked reliable meal the family can gather around.
Others use a meatloaf recipe as a way to take boring ground meat and give it a big injection of flavor through different spices and seasonings.
While this meatloaf recipe is our favorite, we also offer other meatloaf recipes that are just as tasty. Each one has a distinctly different flavor so you’re sure to find one that suits your taste perfectly.
A meatloaf recipe is as varied as the cook who makes it. Some make meatloaf as an old-fashioned comfort food, carrying on a tradition of a home cooked reliable meal the family can gather around.
- 4-serving meals starting at $3.77 per serving (up to 25% cheaper than HelloFresh).
- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
Others use a meatloaf recipe as a way to take boring ground meat and give it a big injection of flavor through different spices and seasonings.
More Easy Meatloaf Recipes
While this meatloaf recipe is our favorite, we also have other meatloaf recipes that are just as tasty. Each one has a distinctly different flavor so you're sure to find one that suits your taste perfectly.
Check out our Best Meatloaf Recipe, our Easy Meatloaf Recipe, Simple Meatloaf Recipe, and the healthy Turkey Meatloaf Recipe for other tasty meatloaf recipe variations.
Mama Shirley's Meatloaf recipe takes a bit longer, but is a delicious old-fashioned version.
This meatloaf recipe is one that mixes the flavor of good old fashioned basic meatloaf with the added hint of sweetness from brown sugar. It isn't too sweet, and it definitely isn't boring. You can use plain ground beef, or a meatloaf mixture (like ground beef, ground pork, and ground veal mixed together).
You can add ground sausage for a bit of a kick, or ground turkey for a leaner version. Whichever meat you choose, the ingredients in this meatloaf recipe will help you create a meatloaf you'll make over and over again.
Lipton Meatloaf Recipe and Ingredients
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Meatloaf Recipe
(24 votes, average: 4.17 out of 5)
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- 4-serving meals starting at $3.77 per serving (up to 25% cheaper than HelloFresh).
- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
- Total Time: 90 Minutes
Description
A meatloaf recipe is as varied as the cook who makes it. Some make meatloaf as an old-fashioned comfort food, carrying on a tradition of a home cooked reliable meal the family can gather around.
Ingredients
- package Lipton Onion Soup Mix
- pounds lean ground beef
- 1 large egg
- 2/3 cup milk
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Mix the onion soup mix, ground beef, egg and milk together.
- In a separate bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar and mustard.
- Spoon half the sauce mixture on the bottom of a 13 x 9 x 2 loaf pan.
- Form the meat combination into a well packed loaf shape, on top of the sauce mixture in the loaf pan.
- Spoon the remaining brown sugar sauce mixture onto the top of the meatloaf.
- Bake uncovered, for about an hour. When done, take the meatloaf out of the pan and place on a serving plate. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Prep Time: 30 Minutes
- Cook Time: 60 Minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Sides to Serve with Meatloaf
Meatloaf makes for a great dinner, but on its own it may not be enough. Check out some of our ideas for great side dishes to serve with meatloaf:
- Mashed potatoes. This is an extremely common side dish to see served alongside meatloaf. It's a great compliment to the sweetness of this meatloaf recipe.
- French fries. While less common as a side dish for meatloaf than mashed potatoes, French fries are still a great option. They're a great choice if you have kids, since they'll likely prefer them over mashed potatoes.
- Macaroni and cheese. Meatloaf is often seen as a comfort food, so why not serve another comfort food as a side dish? Mac and cheese is a beloved American classic. Make the boxed variety for ease or try making a baked mac and cheese.
- Cottage cheese. Sometimes, a cold side is a great addition to a hot meal. Cottage cheese is packed with protein, making it a great choice. Buy the low-fat variety if you want to keep it as healthy as possible.
- Salad. On the topic of cold sides, salad is another great choice. A traditional house salad with your favorite dressing will do just fine. If you want something a little fancier, try making a Caesar salad.
- Green beans. If you want to serve a veggie with your meatloaf, then green beans are a great choice. Vegetables are necessary for a balanced diet, so including them with your meatloaf dinner will ensure you're feeding your family a balanced meal.
- Broccoli and cheese. If you have picky eaters in your family that hate vegetables, try this to help them get their necessary vegetables for the day. By mixing in some cheese with the broccoli, the bitterness will be masked and your kids will be more likely to eat.
- Applesauce. Applesauce is a great side dish to choose for the fall. When mixed with cinnamon, applesauce is a true comfort food that many enjoy. It's also packed with nutrition, making it an excellent choice for a balanced meal.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Donna Vincent/Shutterstock.com.