I hate to admit it, but growing up meatloaf was a dinner I never looked forward to. Mashed meat with sauce slabbed on top. Little did I know it was much more than that. It was honestly probably just my childish tastes buds scrunching their noses up at anything that wasn’t chicken nuggets and french fries.
Meatloaf is traditionally known as ground meat mixed with infusions of luscious ingredients and spices formed into a loaf shape. It is then either baked or smoked. However, meatloaf can contain flavor all the way from the great American cheeseburger to Thai green curry. We have compiled 25 of the best meatloaf recipes that you definitely want to get your hands on.
Are you like me and think everything in miniature is adorable? Why not serve these readily made portion sized loaves to everyone.That’s an adorable and practical recipe I can get behind. Not to mention, that means each loaf gets a tasty crispy crust that everyone loves. No more fighting for the corner pieces!
The hot pepper relish gives a traditional meatloaf recipe a southern vibe. There is not a better way to add some heat than a tasty glaze.
https://www.southernliving.com/food/whats-for-supper/meatloaf-recipes#pepper-relish-mini-meatloaves-recipe PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: SOUTHERN LIVING
Who knew that meatloaf could be made with more than ground beef, chicken or turkey? Making meatloaf with lamb rather than the traditional choices will actually give you a deeper and richer taste.
This recipe is seasoned with the tangy flavors of balsamic vinegar and lemon juice and then complimented with garlic and fresh thyme. Serve with your choice of veggies or opt for a delicious protein packed side such as cannellini beans.
https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/balsamic-glazed-lamb-meat-loaf-recipe PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: REAL SIMPLE
If you’re looking for the traditional meatloaf that Grandma used to make, then Martha Stewart has got you covered. It’s not a special recipe unless there’s a twist, right? This recipe is delicately bound together with 3 different meat sources, ground beef, veal, and pork.
Top the meatloaf off with a sweet-and-sour glaze and you have yourself the perfect tender and moist dinner that everyone will love.
http://www.marthastewart.com/315823/classic-meat-loaf#Meatloaf%20Recipes|/275098/meatloaf-recipes/@center/854190/comfort-food-recipes|315823 PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: MARTHA STEWART
Try making your next meatloaf recipe with ground turkey. It is filled with delicious flavor and seasonings that won’t have you missing your ground beef at all. Top it off with the rich and spicy sauce and automatically turn up the heat at your table.
Serve this delicious meatloaf with hearty mashed potatoes and your favorite vegetables to make it a wholesome meal.
https://www.blueapron.com/recipes/turkey-meatloaf-with-creamy-smashed-potatoes-sauteed-snap-peas PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: BLUE APRON
Grilled cheese just got a facelift with this recipe. Once you make this outstanding recipe you’ll never want to go back to traditional grilled cheese again.
The secret ingredient to this cheesy melt is kimchi, spicy pickled cabbage. These spicy cabbage pieces compliment the savory taste of meatloaf all the while smothered between two pieces of cheesy bread.
http://ladyandpups.com/2013/02/11/kimchi-meatloaf-melt-eng/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: LADY AND PUPS
This is what we call a party on a platter. These jaw-dropping prosciutto wrapped meatloaf cupcakes are going to impress your family. Or perhaps, serve at your next party and everyone’s going to want to know the name of your caterer.
The prosciutto replicates a cupcake liner making the perfect cup for your delicious meatloaf to sit in. For perfect presentation, these amazing cupcakes are topped off with swirled mashed potatoes.
http://www.forkly.com/recipes/prosciutto-wrapped-turkey-meatloaf-cupcakes/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY
Another fun twist to making meatloaf. First cupcakes, now muffins this just keeps getting better and better! These delicious meatloaf muffins are infused with juicy sun-dried tomatoes, savory parmesan cheese, and fresh basil.
This tasty dinner only takes 30 minutes to make when in reality it looks like you were bound to your kitchen for an entire day. Keep with the healthy trend and serve over a bed of quinoa for some extra proteins.
http://thelemonbowl.com/2013/10/italian-turkey-meatloaf-muffins.html PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE LEMON BOWL
Did you ever think you could enjoy the luscious flavors of green Thai curry in meatloaf? Well now you can with this recipe. So many great flavors all in one dish.
Making a traditional American meal infused with flavors of other cultures can always be a great idea. Better yet this meatloaf makes great lefts overs that you can turn into a cheesy and toasty sandwich the next day.
http://www.closetcooking.com/2013/08/thai-green-curry-turkey-and-zucchini.html PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: CLOSET COOKING
Are you the type of person that your regular restaurant order is a good ol’ cheeseburger, in search of the best one? Then why not bring the cheeseburger to you with this delicious recipe. This unique take on meatloaf gives you all the tasty flavors of the great American cheeseburger, two comfort foods into one!
This meatloaf is seasoned with the delicious toppings of a cheeseburger giving it that great American taste. It is Infused with ketchup and mustard along with diced pickles and onion all in the mix. Top it off with melting cheese and savory pickles for that true burger touch.
https://www.foxvalleyfoodie.com/cheeseburger-meatloaf/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FOX VALLEY FOODIE
Attention all vegans! The meat-lovers dinner just became available to you! You no longer have to miss out on one of the greatest comfort foods of all time. This unique twist on a meatloaf recipe substitutes meat for ground chickpeas.
This recipe is seasoned like your regular meatloaf with diced celery, carrots, garlic and bound with breadcrumbs. All the while being smothered in a smokey, maple glaze that will melt in your mouth. Whether you’re vegan or not, you’ll definitely want to give this a try.
https://www.connoisseurusveg.com/almost-classic-chickpea-vegan-meatloaf/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: CONNOISSEURUS VEG
There is nothing better than a meal that is sweet and savory, that is the best of both worlds! This delicious meatloaf is sweetened with a brown sugar glaze all the while complimenting the savory flavors of the meatloaf itself.
This recipe contains a secret ingredient that is a huge game changer when it comes to the worlds of meatloaf. The secret is to add a packet of onion soup mix, so anti-climatic right? Think again, adding this packet will create depths you didn’t even know were possible in a meatloaf recipe, you have to try this.
https://www.foxvalleyfoodie.com/brown-sugar-meatloaf/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FOX VALLEY FOODIE
Calling all Korean flavor lovers, we have the perfect recipe for you! If traditional meatloaf isn’t cutting it for you anymore you’ll want to spice things up with this recipe. Unlike traditional meatloaf recipes, this one is made with pork and so much flavor.
The secret to making this meatloaf have authentic Korean flavors is to make a gochujang glaze. This spicy fermented condiment, Gochujang, is a red chilli paste that contains both sweet and savory flavors, what is not to like.
http://glebekitchen.com/2018/02/15/korean-meatloaf-gochujang-glaze/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: GLEBE KITCHEN
If there was ever a time to make dinner more exciting, then this is it. If the idea of cupcakes for dinner doesn’t make your kids race to the dinner table then I don’t know what will.
This recipe takes the perfect American meatloaf recipe and makes is fun again with its presentation. Not to mention, this recipe is made in a muffin tin so that means you can make bulk quantities and freeze them for nights you’re pinched for time. Skip your mashed potato side and serve it on top as an icing swirl, everyone will love this!
http://cincyshopper.com/meatloaf-cupcakes-recipe/?crlt.pid=camp.4U2cNCYI8CNR PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: CINCY SHOPPER
This recipe is full of so many secrets that you’ll want to jump on and keep for yourself! It is perfectly seasoned and tastes like perfection in every bite. Served with mashed potatoes and the creamiest gravy your family will fall off their chairs with this recipe.
The number one secret to this recipe is to use stove top stuffing. Yup, you can use that more than your Thanksgiving side dish or stuff your turkey with. You can now put it in your meatloaf. Not only does it give it an extra moist texture is proves your meatloaf with an abundance of flavor. The second secret is to make your meatloaf in a bundt pan (wow, this pan always surprises me with its capabilities). The bundt pan actually cuts down on the cooking time for your meatloaf. You also have a perfect center to fill with creamy mashed potatoes.
https://4sonrus.com/2017/11/02/stove-top-stuffing-mix-meatloaf/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: 4 SONS R US
Looking for another meatless dinner? Look no further. This is another great vegan meatloaf recipe! Instead of chickpeas as discovered previously this savory meatloaf is made out of lentils.
The combination of breadcrumbs and lentils will blow yours and your meat-lovers minds away! It has a beefy like texture that makes this meatloaf dupe feel very real in your mouth. Top with a savory loaf sauce and serve with your favorite mashed potatoes and you have the perfect comfort food meal.
https://veganwithcurves.com/beyond-meat-lentil-loaf/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes&utm_term=308465940_8953638_206135 PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: VEGAN WITH CURVES
Have you jumped on the instant Pot bandwagon? If you’re looking for more ways to get use out of this glorious kitchen tool, try making meatloaf in it. Not to mention you have the opportunity to make an entire meal in one pot. This recipe contains your meatloaf, mash potatoes, and tender Brussels sprouts.
This recipe takes quick meals to a whole new level. You can now make a Sunday dinner into an anytime dinner because the Instant Pot makes this recipe in 20 minutes!
https://iwashyoudry.com/instant-pot-meatloaf-mashed-potatoes/?m&m PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: I WASH YOU DRY
Watch out Friday night, your pizza night just got a huge makeover! Why have doughy crust when you can have a meatloaf crust? Every meat lover is going to drool over this dish.
This meatloaf is baked in a 9-inch round pan to give it the pizza shape. Top it off with your favorite pizza sauce and toppings and let this cheesy meatloaf pizza melt in your mouth.
http://www.kraftcanada.com/recipes/pizza-meatloaf-198852?crlt.pid=camp.PzL5LNnPvPzA PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: KRAFT CANADA
There is a reason why bacon-wrapped everything is a huge trend right now because it’s delicious. If you gave meatloaf a bland reputation give it a second chance and make it with this recipe.
This moist meatloaf recipe is mixed with shredded cheese giving it a cheesy flavor. To make it extra savory it is also stuffed with cheese. Bacon and stuffed cheese? This is going to be a crowd pleaser.
http://www.oliviascuisine.com/bacon-wrapped-cheese-stuffed-meatloaf/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: OLIVIAS CUISINE
Let’s spice up your life with this Mexican take on a meatloaf recipe. If you’re looking to reinvent meatloaf or learn to fall in love with it again then you definitely want to try this recipe.
It is seasoned with taco seasoning and mixed with shredded cheese giving it that authentic Mexican flavor. The secret to this recipe is to add crushed tortilla chips for extra crunchy texture which compliments nicely to the moist meat.
https://www.simplystacie.net/2015/12/mexican-meatloaf/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: SIMPLY STACIE
Alright, whiskey lovers it’s time to capture your attention. This mesmerizing meatloaf is smothered in a bourbon glaze that will make you weak at the knees for. This recipe is just like Grandma’s recipe but better-sorry Grandma!
The secret to this recipe is to glaze the meatloaf three times, right before it goes in the oven, during the cooking process and a final glaze right before serving. That sounds like a lot but you will not be disappointed by this savory and rich glaze that compliments your meatloaf oh so well.
https://theviewfromgreatisland.com/bourbon-glazed-meatloaf/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE VIEW FROM GREAT ISLAND
Say goodbye to your tired self. This instant pot recipe is so quick and easy you’ll want to get home from work to make this. This recipe is like french onion soup meets meatloaf.
The meatloaf itself is infused with caramelized onions and all the delicious flavors of onion soup. To top it off pour the perfect gravy made from the remainder of caramelized onions mixed with beef stock and flour to thicken. The ultimate savory meatloaf has arrived.
https://www.julieseatsandtreats.com/french-onion-instant-pot-pressure-cooker-meatloaf/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: JULIES EATS AND TREATS
This meatloaf takes a little extra work but the payoff is worth every minute of that. Instead of the traditional method of mixing everything together and plopping it into a loaf pan, you roll first then place in the pan. The rolling method allows you to fill the center of your meatloaf with a tasty surprise that everyone will love.
It is recommended to start the prep work the day before so your workload doesn’t feel too heavy when you assemble this meal. Although, if you love kitchen time then do it all in one go. The center is filled with creamy sweet potatoes, crispy shaved Brussel sprouts and caramelized onions and mushrooms. The icing on the cake of this recipe its topped with crispy strips of bacon-yum!
https://thehealthyfoodie.com/rolled-meatloaf/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE HEALTHY FOODIE
Why not tweak the traditional meatloaf recipe once again. Made with savory seasonings and topped with the creamiest gravy the whole family will love this.
This recipe is made in the slow cooker which means you can assemble, place in the slow cooker and walk away. That leaves more time for yourself on the weekend or making your workday more stressfree without having this think of dinner plans. This tasty recipe is made with baby potatoes smothered in a buttery dill glaze.
https://slowcookergourmet.net/slow-cooker-creamy-meatloaf-with-baby-dill-potatoes/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: SLOW COOKER GOURMET
Many of us may have grown up disliking meatloaf because of the dry stature that is associated with it. The secret to this recipe is making sure you inject moisture into your mixture. You can achieve this by soaking bread in milk prior to adding it to the mix.
The other secret is to make sure you caramelize the veggies you want to add. No one likes biting into a moist meatloaf to land a bite if crunchy raw onions. Add layers of flavor with your caramelized onions and perfect seasonings. Top it off with a spicy tomato sauce and you created another great meatloaf recipe.
http://heneedsfood.com/2016/01/meatloaf-with-spiced-tomato-sauce/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: HE NEEDS FOOD
If you love meatloaf but know it isn’t the healthiest dish kicking around then you’re definitely going to want to give this bad boy a go. Lean ground turkey steals the spotlight with this meatloaf recipe paired with a yummy mushroom gravy. You can now enjoy the delicious flavors of this comfort food without the guilt.
A big key factor to make a successful meatloaf recipe is to make sure you have an on-point sauce. This meatloaf is drenched in a creamy mushroom gravy that has hints of rustic flavor to compliment the tender and appetizing meat.
https://skinnyms.com/easy-meatloaf-with-mushroom-gravy-recipe/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: SKINNY MS
