Recipes

[ScrapHappy]

First time I made mealoaf, I tried Ina Garten's recipe.  I found it to be waaaay too much onion and didn't hold.  I now use the recipe from the Lipton dry onion soup mix.  Perfect every time.  I also use the sauce from Ree Drummonds meatloaf recipe.  Yummy!  I actually plan on making this on Monday.  My family doesn't particulary care for meatloaf but it's my birthday and I can make what I want.  LOL!

[novamc1]

One idea for boosting the flavor of any meat loaf topping that involves ketchup or tomato sauce might be to add some Worcestershire sauce to it.

I appreciate a good meat loaf and a good tomato-based topping, but unfortunately never get to fix this........DH says if we have to eat ground beef, he wants it shaped into large patties so he can grill it on his charcoal Weber.  

[VanSleepy]

I never heard of putting oatmeal in it, but then I use crumbled Ritz crackers 

[Starpolisher]

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Nadine O wrote:

Mary Beth Roe has a really good recipe online.  Its her Dad's.  I do omit the vegetable soup but it is really good..

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@Coquille I also use oatmeal. Lately I've been using Andrew Lessman's oat bran.

Years ago, when I first got married, @Nadine O  I use to add a can of Campbell's vegetable soup (now called Old Fashion Vegetable - my mom sometimes used it) It was delicious! Gives the meatloaf a nice flavor since it is beef based and nice texture with the vegetables and pasta. Dh loved it. I don't know why I stopped using it but I think I'll try it again tomorrow. My mom never made it with a topping but I make a topping from ketchup, brown sugar and balsamic glaze. @noodleann I use the classic meatloaf mix of beef, pork and veal.

[KCFoxy]

I have made meatloaf since I was 18 and taught myself how to cook out of necessity.

Currently using all beef with 85% lean. Have used bread crumbs, oatmeal, crushed Ritz crackers, instant mashed potato flakes and my current favorite, Uncle Ben's (parboiled) converted rice.

We are on lower sodium diets so besides ketchup, only add low sodium Worchestershire sauce. Ratio looks something like this

1 1/2 to 2 lbs 85% lean ground beef

1 small onion. minced

1/3 to 1/2 Cup Uncle Ben's rice, uncooked

1 extra large egg, beaten

2-3 ounces ketchup

1/2 to 1 teaspoon reduced sodium Worchestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon Penzeys Mural of Flavor (or other salt-free herb blend)

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon  black pepper

Combine all ingredients in large mixing bowl. Knead until thouroughly blended.

Pack into loaf pan. Bake in preheated 325 oven 50 minutes. Carefully drain fat, add topping of choice, (bacon, ketchup/mustard/brown sugar/vinegar et al), return to oven and bake an additional 10-15 minutes.

My DH who has been a dietary Cook for many years, swears by the kneading and patting method which he says 'tightens' the meatloaf and makes it perfect for slicing.

[Mothertrucker]

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@noodleann wrote:

Interesting to see this thread, since I'm planning to make the classic meatloaf from America's Test Kitchen tomorrow.

I was a bit surprised to see that people don't seem to be using the classic meatloaf blend of meats--ground beef, pork, and veal. That's the one I'm trying. It includes egg and crushed saltines, and may have an oatmeal or bread crumb option. I also has bacon laid on top and a glaze with ketchup, I believe. (The book is in another room.)

I'll post back on my results with the recipe and any tweaks I made, although none are planned. Meatloaf is nice when made, especially with mashed potatoes, but I'm making it for the cold sandwiches the next day. That's how I love it.

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I cannot even remember the last time I saw ground veal in the market..Maybe in the early 1980'swhen I was on Weight Watchers! ( it didn't count as red meat, so I used it a lot) heck even ground pork is getting harder to find...

[vabreeze]

Meatloaf the Way Elvis Pressley Liked His

 1-1/2 lbs. ground beef
1/3 cup Worcestershire Sauce
1/3 cup chopped celery
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 TBS. minced garlic
2 beaten eggs
1 cup bread crumbs 
2 TBS bacon grease
a few shakes of Tabasco sauce
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

Topping:
1/2 cup ketchup
3 TBS Molasses
1 TBS bacon grease

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° 

Mix all ingredients together until very well combined

Bake 45 min to 1 hr. or until the internal temp. reaches from 155° to 165°

Topping:
Spread on top of the meatloaf before you bake it

[pinkmochi]

I've also used chia seeds. I know it sounds weird (I am in California, after all), but you can't taste them, and they hold in moisture. Also adds extra protein! Eggs and panko breadcrumbs, too.