The Best Meatloaf Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
50 mins
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Servings
8 mini meatloaves
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Calories
418 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
The Best Meatloaf Recipe
Description
The Best Meatloaf Recipe uses a blend of ground turkey and beef combined with finely processed onion, carrot, celery, red bell pepper, and garlic. These veggies add moisture and subtle flavor without leaving large chunks. The mixture includes seasoned bread crumbs and a mixture of salt, black pepper, cayenne, caraway seeds, and thyme for seasoning. The meat and veggie mixture are formed into eight uniform loaves, which ensures even cooking and consistent portions.
The meatloaves are brushed with a glaze made from chili sauce, balsamic vinegar, honey, and cumin, imparting a gentle sweetness and tang that complements the savory meat. The baking is done at 360°F until the internal temperature reaches 160°F, then rested briefly for juiciness.
This recipe suits small gatherings or meal prep, offering an easy way to prepare several loaves at once. The glaze provides a distinctive finish, and the use of turkey with beef keeps the texture tender and the flavor rich.
To make the meatloaf dairy-free or grain-free, omit the bread crumbs and milk, substituting with gluten-free and dairy-free alternatives as needed.
Ingredients
Simple Meatloaf Recipe:
- 1 1/2 cups seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon caraway seeds
- 1 teaspoon thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh, dried
- 1/2 onion roughly chopped
- 1 carrot roughly chopped
- 1 celery roughly chopped, stalk
- 1/2 red bell pepper roughly chopped
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Glaze:
- 1/2 cup chili sauce (Heinz)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin ground
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 360 degrees F. Place all the veggies and garlic in the food processor and pulse until it’s the consistency of apple sauce.
- Place the veggie pulp in the bowl with the bread crumbs, herbs and spices, ground meats, egg, milk and Worcestershire.
- Toss together, then mix thoroughly by hand, but don’t squeeze the mixture too much!
- Separate the mixture into 8 equal portions—I like to do this by cutting the mixture in the bowl. This ensures consistency in size. Shape each portion into a loaf, and place them on a rimmed cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Mix all the ingredients for the glaze in a small bowl.
- Brush the loaves with glaze, leaving extra on the top. Place in the oven and bake until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees F—approximately 30 minutes.
- Tint with foil and let rest 5 minutes out of the oven before serving. *For one large classic meatloaf, shape all the mixture into a loaf measuring 10x5x4 inches. Bake approximately 1 1/2 hours to 160 degrees F.
Notes
- To make the meatloaf dairy-free or grain-free, omit the bread crumbs and milk, substituting with gluten-free and dairy-free alternatives.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8mini meatloaves
Amount Per Serving
Calories 418 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 418kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 24g | 8% |
| Protein | 33g | 66% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 113mg | 38% |
| Sodium | 1088mg | 45% |
| Potassium | 630mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 1782IU | 36% |
| Vitamin C | 15mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 94mg | 9% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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