When it comes to comfort foods I think meatloaf recipes are some of my favorite. I have always been a meatloaf fan and converted my husband after we got married.
I love the many variations you can make with a basic meatloaf recipe. I’m going to share my family’s favorites because these are truly the best meatloaf recipes out there. Scroll down to see my Taco Meatloaf and my Supreme Pizza Meatloaf recipes. I’m even including a Keto twist on a classic meatloaf recipe for my fellow Keto devotees!
The Best Meatloaf Recipes
What is the best meatloaf recipe?
The best meatloaf recipe is the one you’ll eat. No, seriously, that is a loaded question but let’s start with my take on a classic meatloaf recipe that I’ve make for years.
What ingredients do I need to prepare meatloaf?
This classic meatloaf calls for ground beef, eggs, seasoned bread crumbs, diced onion, salt, pepper and ketchup. You can change up the ground meats by replacing the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken if you prefer. If you do not have a loaf pan (I like the stoneware type) you can make it in a glass pie dish. It will actually cook faster in the pie dish so check it at 20 minutes, instead of 30 for the 1/2 way point.
Why are bread crumbs used in meatloaf?
I know I started using bread crumbs in my meatloaf because that is what my grandmother did (monkey see, monkey do). But I know now that bread crumbs act both as a filler and a binder in meatloaf. As a filler – makes a bigger loaf, as a binder – it helps to hold it together. You can replace bread crumbs with crushed corn flakes, panko bread crumbs or even oatmeal (personal I do not like the oatmeal).
The Classic Meatloaf
The first recipe I’ll share is a traditional recipe for meatloaf. This one has been used in my family, and many other, for decades. Sure there are some variations but this will recipe will serve you well. This is an easy meatloaf recipe to make and once you have it down you can play with the ingredients to make it your own!
Your basic ingredients are ground beef, onion, eggs, bread crumbs, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper with some ketchup for a topping.
Try making All Natural Mac ‘n Cheese as a side dish.
My Family’s Favorite Classic Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef 85 – 90% lean
- 1/2 – 1 whole onion diced
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- Salt and Pepper amounts to your preference
- 1/2 – 1 cup Ketchup for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F
- Combine all your ingredients, except the ketchup, in a large mixing bowl.
- The only way to do this properly is with your hands (clean them first and immediatly after with hot soapy water).
- Put the meatloaf mixture in a standard loaf pan and make it as even as possible.
- Bake at 350 for 30 minutes then add your ketchup to the top and bake an additional 30 minutes.
- Let it rest 10 minutes before slicing.
What are some good recipes for meatloaf?
Ready to take your meatloaf a little south of the border? This is a little bit of a spin on a classic meatloaf recipe and is great served with salad and Spanish rice or refried beans.
The Best Taco Meatloaf Recipe
In this taco version you’ll need ground beef, onion, bell pepper, eggs, tortilla chips, cumin, chili power, salt, pepper and pepper jack cheese.
Taco Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups crushed corn tortilla chips
- 3/4 cup prepared salsa you choose how spicy
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup shredded pepper jack cheese reserved
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F
- In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients (except the cheese), using your hands is best.
- Put into your loaf pan and make it as even as possible.
- Bake for 55 minutes then add the shredded pepper jack cheese to the top.
- Bake an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and a little brown.
Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
I like this Taco Meatloaf served with some sour cream or guacamole!
Our next favorite meatloaf is another spin on the basic loaf – the pizza meatloaf!
Supreme Pizza Meatloaf
This awesome meatloaf recipe takes all the goodies found on a supreme style pizza and puts in loaf form. This recipe calls for ground beef, Italian sausage, pepperoni, eggs, onion, bell pepper, mushrooms and olives. Of course you need some pizza sauce or marinara and mozzarella cheese too!
This one recipe does well in the glass pie dish too for a more pizza feel.
Supreme Pizza Style Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
For Loaf
- 1.5 lbs Ground Beef
- 1/2 lbs Italian Sausage
- 15 Pepperoni Slices cut in quarters
- 2 Eggs
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 1/4 cup diced bell pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped mushrooms
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup Prepared Pizza Sauce or marinara
- 1/2 cup of bread crumbs if you used seasoned you can leave out Italian seasoning or reduce it
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
For Topping
- 1/4 cup Prepared Pizza Sauce or marinara
- 1/2 cup of shredded Mozzarella
Instructions
- Pre-hea oven to 350 degrees F
- Mix your loaf ingredients in a large bowl, for best results use your hands to mix.
- Put into your loaf pan and make it as even as possible, or use a glass deep dish pie dish for a round pizza look.
- Bake for 50 minutes (may require less time in pie dish).
- Now add your toppings of pizza sauce and Mozzarella chees.
- Bake an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and slightly golden.
Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
I have made both the taco and pizza meatloaf since I’ve been Keto, I replace the breadcrumbs with pork rinds or almond flour.
Basic Keto Meatloaf Recipe
Being Keto doesn’t mean we want to miss out on our favorite comfort food! And making a low-carb meatloaf is one of the easier recipes to convert. This is especially good served with my Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin.
This recipe uses crushed pork rinds. You can make these in your food processor or just hand crush them. In a hurry you can even buy some pre-made for recipes.
I recommend topping this Keto loaf with stevia sweetened ketchup!
Basic Keto Meatloaf Recipe with Pork Rinds
Ingredients
For Loaf
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1/4 cup finely diced onion
- 2 cups crushed pork rinds
- 2 eggs
- 2 Tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce or coconut aminos
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Topping
- 1/3 – 1/2 cup of Stevia sweetened ketchup
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F
- Mix all loaf ingredients in a large mixing bowl with your hands.
- Add meat mixture to loaf pan as evenly as possible.
- Bake 50 minutes.
- Add ketchup to top.
- Bake an additional 10 minutes.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Meatloaf in the Crock Pot, Instant Pot or Air Fryer
On a busy weeknight a Crock Pot meatloaf can really be a dinner saver! Using the basic or classic recipe, shape your meat into a round or oval shaped loaf and carefully add it to your slow cooker, except for the ketchup topping. Cook low for 6 – 8 hours, in the last 15 minutes add the ketchup.
Need a meatloaf fast? Your Instant Pot can do that! Check out this easy Instant Pot Meatloaf that has a 30 minute cook time.
I love my air fryer! You can make this Air Fryer Meatloaf pretty fast too! Be sure to check out my Air Fryer Pork Chops and Chicken Wings recipes too.
I actuly have made these types of meat loaves personally, but I don’t want ketchup except on French fries, but your ideas are pretty close to my own, but my taco meatloaf is a fair amount spicier, but my pizza one uses a fair amount of garlic and parmasian cheese, and I top it with dried red peppers, but all in a you did good.
My kids like BBQ instead of ketchup sometimes. Have you tried that?
Nice list..thanks
I too love meatloaf and love fixing flavor variations of it. 2 things I do differently: one is to use Chili Sauce (can be found near tartar and cocktail sauce usually) it is very similar to ketchup but a whole new level of good in place of for many things. My mom put it in her 1,000 Island dressing.
I do use oatmeal. When I got married 40+ years ago my hubby suggested it and I like it so much I would never go back. I feel it makes a moister, less dense, loaf.
I understand, each to his own🌝😁but was wondering what about the oatmeal you don’t like?
I think oatmeal adds a texture to meatloaf that isn’t my favorite. But I think it can be a great additive. If that was what I had on hand, I would use it!