So what is in your meatloaf?

[maslex]

I LOVE meatloaf and can usually make a tasty one (I throw together whatever I have on hand that day)

My problem is that the texture of it is ALWAYS OFF for some reason. It's usually a bit dry and "chunky" or "bulky". It never comes out with a smooth texture. Everyone I talk to says to mix, mix, mix it till you can't mix anymore. I do that and still comes out crappy. I will also lightly mix it and it still comes out like that. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong.

Anyone?

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I LOVE meatloaf and can usually make a tasty one (I throw together whatever I have on hand that day)

My problem is that the texture of it is ALWAYS OFF for some reason. It's usually a bit dry and "chunky" or "bulky". It never comes out with a smooth texture. Everyone I talk to says to mix, mix, mix it till you can't mix anymore. I do that and still comes out crappy. I will also lightly mix it and it still comes out like that. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong.

Anyone?

It's supposed to be smooth?

 

[JessicaR]

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.

This sounds delicious! Will give it a try.

 

[bettymae1121]

I LOVE meatloaf and can usually make a tasty one (I throw together whatever I have on hand that day)

My problem is that the texture of it is ALWAYS OFF for some reason. It's usually a bit dry and "chunky" or "bulky". It never comes out with a smooth texture. Everyone I talk to says to mix, mix, mix it till you can't mix anymore. I do that and still comes out crappy. I will also lightly mix it and it still comes out like that. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong.

Anyone?

If you are using lean ground beef, you should either switch to a fattier beef (85/15 or 80/20) or keep the lean beef and add in a tbsp or two of oil (olive oil, canola oil, whatever you have on hand is fine). That will keep it from being so dry and crumbly.

Also, your friends are wrong (sorry). You don't want to over work the meat, you want to mix it until it's all combined but no more than that!

Do those things and you should get a "creamier" texture.

 

[walden]

For a really luscious meatloaf try "False Hare." http://germanfood.about.com/od/meatbasedrecipesandmenu/r/falscherhase.htm
This is very similar to the recipe I used to make before we went on diets and tried to lower our fat intake. The hard cooked eggs add almost a party touch!

These days, I've been sneakily trying to make my meatloaf "lower fat" so generally make it half ground beef and half turkey. I use quaker oats instead of breadcrumbs and then *pollute* it by mixing in a box of chopped spinach, thawed and with the moisture squeezed out. Other than that, finely chopped onion, one egg, lots of seasoning like pepper, garlic salt, parsley, worcester sauce and a dash of tomato ketchup. I don't measure ingredients much. It's really quite tasty, but I don't think it should be called meatloaf!

 

[hellokitty86]

I've never made it, but I just saw this recipe today. Looks yummy. http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2010/03/08/disney-world-meatloaf-recipe/

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I LOVE meatloaf and can usually make a tasty one (I throw together whatever I have on hand that day)

My problem is that the texture of it is ALWAYS OFF for some reason. It's usually a bit dry and "chunky" or "bulky". It never comes out with a smooth texture. Everyone I talk to says to mix, mix, mix it till you can't mix anymore. I do that and still comes out crappy. I will also lightly mix it and it still comes out like that. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong.

Anyone?

How many eggs are you using? I use two. I also mix all the ingredients by hand. Esp since I use sausage too, it's much easier to mix it with my hands than with a spoon. I don't really know what could be making your meatloaf dry, but you shouldn't have a smooth texture anyway. It should still feel like raw ground beef.

 

[piperdown]

I use meatloaf to sneak in some extra veggies. I've used my food processor to grate carrots and squash and added them into the mix. Family is none the wiser.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

This is the one I always come back to. http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/savory-meat-loaf/45f115c8-283b-4e79-8108-d252643ca66a

I use oatmeal and tomato soup mixed with some worchestershire sauce for the top. Yum!

Making it this week in the crockpot!

 

[of the seas]

This is mine. I don't always make the cheese sauce topping, though. It is so good! It's by Paula Deen.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/cheeseburger-meatloaf-and-sauce-recipe/index.html

 

[onelilspark]

I make my Mom's. It's really basic. Ground beef, saltines (crushed), egg, ketchup, milk, salt & pepper. I think that's it.

 

[scrapquitler]

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.

I use ground beef, finely chopped onions, salt, pepper, eggs, white bread soaked in milk, garlic powder, italian seasoning and lots and lots of ketchup.

 

[MushyMushy]

Ground beef, ground pork, worcestershire, diced onions & green peppers, egg, oatmeal, salt & pepper, and campbell's tomato soup instead of ketchup. I hate ketchup.

When I make it, my family gobbles it up. I even like it. I grew up with a mother who just baked a lump of ground beef and ketchup.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I LOVE meatloaf and can usually make a tasty one (I throw together whatever I have on hand that day)

My problem is that the texture of it is ALWAYS OFF for some reason. It's usually a bit dry and "chunky" or "bulky". It never comes out with a smooth texture. Everyone I talk to says to mix, mix, mix it till you can't mix anymore. I do that and still comes out crappy. I will also lightly mix it and it still comes out like that. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong.

Anyone?

I'm not the best chef...but my past meatloaf was like that. I think I may add an extra egg and the paste or sauce. That makes a difference. Also, I used to mix with my hands, but now I use a utensil and mix it up like a cake batter. Now---my mix isn't liquid...but it doesn't look like I just took the meat out of the package either. Also, sometimes I mixe the add in stuff separately. Even with eggs...it will be more on the wet side and liquid, but thick. It won't be crumbly.

Interior texture is moist and on the smooth side when it is done cooking.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I use meatloaf to sneak in some extra veggies. I've used my food processor to grate carrots and squash and added them into the mix. Family is none the wiser.

Okay...now that is a tip to try.

Good thing he doesn't DIS.