So what is in your meatloaf?

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We had meatloaf for dinner.

I can eat things that come from the ground while
my husband balks at most things from nature. So he has skepticLly enjoyed my last three meatloaf adventures---turkey, chicken/ground beef, and plain ol' ground beef all prepared essentially the same.

LAst night he said: "This is almost as good as my mom's which is saying a lot!". In fact, he asked if I used her recipe---I didn't. And as far as her cooking? Her family seems to enjoy it. I'm not too into
it as it tends to be lots of yummy with little healthy, so I have to be careful or I get a tummy ache.

So I for her recipe book and noted no strong similarities deserving of a complimented. But my husband noticed a huge similarity. I didn't add "crap" to it.

No peppers or onions. I told him that I added onions as did his mom according to her recipe. But they were diced finely and sauteed. Evidently he doesn't like fancy meat loaves....ones with salads in them. I have no idea what that means, so I thought I'd aks to see what others put in theirs? I'm secretly wondering if I am missing out on some yummier ideas.

so what is in your meatloaf?

Mine has ground meat, eggs, breadcrumbs, tomato paste (or sauce when I have no tomato paste), garlic, onion, Italian seasoning and celery salt plus shredded mozzarella.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I make this, it's outrageous.

 

[Pakey]

I use ground meat, eggs, bread crumbs, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and my secret ingredient is 2 TBS of Hutch's barbeque sauce.

 

[fabmic]

Mine has lean ground black Angus, Parmesan cheese, egg, Italian breadcrumbs, ketchup (Heinz), black pepper and lots of sweet onions (Mayan or the like).

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Ground beef, an egg, ketchup, and Italian breadcrumbs. It sounds bland and boring but it isn't!

 

[JessicaR]

For years I made my Moms meatloaf. Then I tried Alton Browns Meatloaf. Honestly the BEST ever!


Good Eats Meatloaf
Recipe courtesy of Alton Brown

.Prep Time:25 minInactive Prep Time:--Cook Time:45 minLevel:
--Serves:
6 to 8 servings. Ingredients
•6 ounces garlic-flavored croutons
•1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
•1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
•1 teaspoon chili powder
•1 teaspoon dried thyme
•1/2 onion, roughly chopped
•1 carrot, peeled and broken
•3 whole cloves garlic
•1/2 red bell pepper
•18 ounces ground chuck
•18 ounces ground sirloin
•1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
•1 egg
•
For the glaze:
•1/2 cup catsup
•1 teaspoon ground cumin
•Dash Worcestershire sauce
•Dash hot pepper sauce
•1 tablespoon honey
Directions
Heat oven to 325 degrees F.


In a food processor bowl, combine croutons, black pepper, cayenne pepper, chili powder, and thyme. Pulse until the mixture is of a fine texture. Place this mixture into a large bowl. Combine the onion, carrot, garlic, and red pepper in the food processor bowl. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped, but not pureed. Combine the vegetable mixture, ground sirloin, and ground chuck with the bread crumb mixture. Season the meat mixture with the kosher salt. Add the egg and combine thoroughly, but avoid squeezing the meat.


Pack this mixture into a 10-inch loaf pan to mold the shape of the meatloaf. Onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, turn the meatloaf out of the pan onto the center of the tray. Insert a temperature probe at a 45 degree angle into the top of the meatloaf. Avoid touching the bottom of the tray with the probe. Set the probe for 155 degrees.


Combine the catsup, cumin, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce and honey. Brush the glaze onto the meatloaf after it has been cooking for about 10 minutes.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I use the Hunts (or Heinz, can't remember which it is) tomato sauce for meatloaf, but I have my own variations. Instead of bread crumbs, I use seasoned stuffing and instead of 2 lbs ground beef, I use 1 1/2 pounds ground beef and half pound of sausage. I love it. It's the only meatloaf I will eat. The sausage really makes a big difference.

 

[golfgal]

Ground beef, minced onions (unless dh will chop real onions for me-I can't), BBQ sauce, egg and saltine crackers crushed up. I pour some more BBQ sauce over the top for the last 1/2 hour or so of baking.

 

[NMAmy]

I use oatmeal instead of breadcrumbs. We just had this on Sunday.

1 lb ground beef
3/4 cup quaker oats
1 onion, diced
1/2 cup milk
1 egg

 

[MIGrandma]

Mine usually consists of lean ground beef, an egg or two, crushed saltine crackers or sometimes oatmeal, finely diced green pepper/onion/celery, salt, pepper and then I make a sauce for on top out of ketchup, honey and/or brown sugar, and various seasonings.

 

[AshleyW]

I make this, it's outrageous.

That looks pretty tasty - looks like I've got dinner figured out for tonight!

 

[Meriweather]

I change it up, but use these


* Exported from MasterCook *

A-1 derful Meatloaf

Recipe By :A-1 Sauce
Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Meat

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1/3 cup finely minced onion
1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
8 ounces tomato sauce
3 tablespoons A-1® Steak Sauce
1 egg
1 teaspoon garlic salt
3/4 teaspoon oregano
3/4 teaspoon basil
1/4 cup provolone OR jack cheese -- shredded

Combine all ingredients except cheese.
Lightly pack in a 9x5" loaf pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. Drain. Top with cheese.
Bake 5 minutes. Let set for 5 minutes.

DS's favorite:


* Exported from MasterCook *

Meatloaf Pinwheel

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 8 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Meat

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 cup soft bread crumbs
8 ounces Cheez Whiz
1 egg -- beaten
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups cooked rice
2 tablespoons parsley

Combine meat, bread crumbs, 1/2 of cheese spread, egg and salt. Mix lightly.
Pat out meat mixture to cover 12x10" rectangle of foil.
Combine remaining cheese spread, rice and parsley. Spread over meat.
Roll up, starting at narrow edge. Wrap securely. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.
Cut into 8 slices. Place on baking dish.
Bake 350 degrees for 35 minutes.


NOTES : I don't cut slices, but just form into loaf and bake (right away, don't refrigerate either). Cook longer, 50-60 minutes.


* Exported from MasterCook *

Classic Meatloaf

Recipe By :Quaker Oatmeal
Serving Size : 8 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Meat

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef or turkey
3/4 cup quick or old-fashioned oats -- uncooked
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup catsup
1 egg -- slightly beaten
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic -- minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine all ingredients in large bowl. Mix lightly but thoroughly.
Shape meatloaf mixture into 10x6" loaf on rack of broiler pan.
Bake 50-55 minutes or until meatloaf is to medium doneness ( 160 degrees for beef, 170 degrees for turkey), until not pink in center and juices show no pink color.
Let stand 5 minutes before slicing.
Cover and refrigerate leftovers and use within 2 days, or wrap airtight and freeze up to 3 months.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I use the Hunts (or Heinz, can't remember which it is) tomato sauce for meatloaf, but I have my own variations. Instead of bread crumbs, I use seasoned stuffing and instead of 2 lbs ground beef, I use 1 1/2 pounds ground beef and half pound of sausage. I love it. It's the only meatloaf I will eat. The sausage really makes a big difference.

All of these sound great...but I LOVE the idea of sausage. I assume it is the fresh sausage and you remove it from the casing, right,

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

All of these sound great...but I LOVE the idea of sausage. I assume it is the fresh sausage and you remove it from the casing, right,

I actually just buy the breakfast sausage in the tube and blend it with the ground beef. It is really, really good!!

ETA: You do have to drain the meatloaf more before you eat it because the sausage adds more fat. And just to be clear to anyone who read that I use stuffing, I use it dry, not cooked. That would be gross. lol

 

[LilyWDW]

I will only use this recipe from now on:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-chiarello/italian-meatloaf-recipe/index.html

Even my mom likes it... and she HATES meatloaf usually. Last time I made it she ate 2 BIG pieces.

 

[sbell111]

All of these sound great...but I LOVE the idea of sausage. I assume it is the fresh sausage and you remove it from the casing, right,

It's simpler to just buy bulk, uncased sausage.

 

[Sorsha]

Ground beef, smashed-up saltine crackers, a couple of eggs, seasonings, and some sort of tomato-based sauce - BBQ, Worchestershire, ketchup, tomato sauce, etc - whatever's on hand. Glaze with a little more BBQ or ketchup, top with cheese slices to melt during the last few minutes of cooking.

I can't stand any vegetation in my meatloaf - I'm just picky like that. I will eat a salad with it and a big steaming pile of cooked veggies, but don't put it IN the meatloaf.

 

[bettymae1121]

I eye ball it but I use

1 pound ground beef (plus 1 tbsp oil if it's lean meat)
3/4 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 small onion, diced fine
1 egg
1 tbsp dried parsley flakes
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce

I form them into four mini meat loaf patties for faster cooking, top with more ketchup and then bake at 350 for 30 minutes. All my ingrediants are organic (except the worcestershire sauce) which makes me happy, and it's meat loaf, which makes my DH happy.

 

[GeorgeG]

Boring eater checking in here with his 2 cents...

Gound beef
Bread crumbs (not too much)
One or two eggs (depending on size)

You can try to make meat loaf a gourmet venture, but in the end it's still just meat loaf. Keep it simple. If you can't taste the beef, you've screwed it up.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

ground beef, sausage, eggs, oatmeal, milk, ketchup, Lipton onion soup mix