Meatloaf has been an American comfort food icon for generations, and its popularity is only growing. This hearty dish has seen a remarkable 17% increase in popularity over the past year according to food trend analytics company Tastewise,1 and even made headlines in the New York Times.2
Today, meatloaf remains the ultimate cozy family dinner. This classic recipe delivers all the traditional flavors you crave, with a few tips and tricks to make it extra moist and delicious every time.
How to Make It Healthier
One easy change is to use lean ground beef that is 90-95% lean, which will significantly reduce the fat content. For an even leaner option, you can substitute ground turkey for some or all of the beef.
Another way to sneak in some extra nutrients is to add finely grated or chopped veggies to the mix, such as carrots, zucchini, or bell peppers. The veggies will blend in nicely with the ground meat, so even picky eaters won’t mind their addition.
Finally, for a healthier glaze, use a low-sugar ketchup or substitute tomato paste thinned with a little vinegar and sweetened with a touch of honey or maple syrup. This will cut down on the sugar and calories in the topping while still providing that irresistible sticky, tangy finish we all love on a good meatloaf.
Keto-Friendly Meatloaf Tips
With a few simple ingredient swaps, you can enjoy meatloaf while sticking to a keto diet. Here’s how:
- Replace the breadcrumbs with an equal amount of almond flour or crushed pork rinds. These low-carb options work well to bind the meat mixture together.
- Instead of milk, use heavy cream. It adds the same moisture and richness without the carbs.
- For the meatloaf and glaze, use a sugar-free ketchup. There are many tasty store-bought options, or you can make your own sugar-free ketchup.
- Pack in low-carb veggies like mushrooms, which add bulk, moisture and umami flavor while keeping carbs in check.
Serving Suggestions
Meatloaf pairs well with so many classic sides. Here are some of its common sides:
- Mashed potatoes (regular, garlic or loaded)
- Baked potatoes or sweet potatoes
- Buttered egg noodles
- Creamy mac and cheese
- Steamed or roasted green beans, broccoli, carrots or Brussels sprouts
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Garden salad with ranch or Italian dressing
- Dinner rolls or garlic bread
Leftover meatloaf also makes amazing sandwiches. Slice it up and serve on toasted bread with mayo, lettuce and tomato. Or crumble it into pasta sauce or stuff it into bell peppers for a tasty new spin.
Classic Meatloaf
Ingredients
Meatloaf
- 2 lbs ground beef 80-85% lean
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup milk
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs preferably Panko
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
Meatloaf Glaze
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line a baking sheet with foil.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, onion, eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, garlic, 1/4 cup ketchup, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. Mix until well combined, but do not overmix.
- Shape the mixture into a loaf and place in the prepared pan or on the baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, mix together the glaze ingredients. Brush half of the glaze evenly over the meatloaf.
- Bake for 45 minutes, then brush with the remaining glaze. Continue baking for another 15-30 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Let the meatloaf rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Source:
1. https://tastewise.io/foodtrends/meatloaf
2. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/13/magazine/meatloaf-quebec-recipe.html
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.