Meatloaf Recipe

This healthy meatloaf recipe doesn’t only look good with the caramelized shiny glaze on the outside; it tastes amazingly flavorful as well. Serving it with some fluffy mashed potatoes and crunchy green beans yields a satisfying food combination.

What Is Meatloaf?

Meatloaf has been a staple of American comfort food for a long time. It is usually ground beef mixed with spices and tons of different ingredients like onions, eggs, and breadcrumbs, and then formed into a loaf shape.

The loaf is then baked and can be topped with sauce. The most common meat used in meatloaf recipes is ground beef, but it can also be lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, or even goat.

There are also various ways to cook meatloaf. This recipe uses the oven, but you can also count on the Instant Pot (and this Instant Pot Meatloaf Recipe) for an equally satisfying dish.

Each country has its own version of the recipe. In Europe, people serve the dish with sliced potatoes while in Middle Eastern countries, this recipe is a filling for kebabs.

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Simple to make and incredibly tasty, meatloaf is enjoyed and loved in many different cuisines around the world.

Is It Healthy?

Combining a lot of ground beef or pork, easy classic meatloaf is often considered unhealthy. However, we can twist the ingredients and add more vegetables to turn the dish into a healthier yet still delicious dish.

1. Calories

Meatloaf is a good source of energy. One serving of our recipe provides you with 493 calories. Depending on the type of ground beef used, the calories will alter a bit.

For recipes made from chicken or turkey, calories can be a little lower compared to beef or pork. If you watch the types of meat and serving size, you can stay within the daily recommended calories.

2. Carbs

This homemade recipe contains 31 grams of carbohydrates, which account for about 10 percent of the recommended daily intake for carbs.

Ingredients You Will Need

This healthy easy classic meatloaf recipe is packed with delicious flavors and so easy to make. Simply mix all the ingredients, put into a pan, and the oven will do the rest of the work for you.

The best part is that the recipe requires affordable ingredients that might already be available in your kitchen.

1. Beef

You can use a variety of meats for meatloaf recipes, but we believe nothing can beat the traditional lean ground beef.

The only thing that should be noted is that high-fat meat like ground beef can get messy once cooked. However, a proper ratio of beef to milk, egg, onion, and ketchup can help you avoid that problem and keep the shape intact.

It’s also important not to overmix the meat mixture, as it might result in a tough texture when baked.

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2. Eggs

Besides helping to bind the loaf, they also add richness, moisture and more nutrition to the meat.

3. Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs help to keep the meatloaf in shape and make it less dense. They also add fiber, which aids in digestion and keeps you full longer.

4. Milk

Some people think that eggs are enough to bind the meat and other ingredients, but you need a little bit of liquid to soften the loaf and get things going.

5. Onions

Onions are what make a regular recipe into an amazing dish. The sweetness from this veg offers a nice balance for the cheese, meat, and topping sauce.

Saute the onions (and other vegetables if you like) on low heat until they are tender and almost melt into the meatloaf. If you want a stronger taste, use white and red onions instead of yellow ones.

How Long to Cook

Generally, the baking time will vary depending on the size of your meatloaf. For our healthy easy classic meatloaf recipe specifically, we use 14 oz ground beef, which needs to be cooked at 350°F for 55 minutes.

At 400°F

At this temperature, the cooking time should be around 40-45 minutes.

At 375°F

If you bake your meatloaf at 375°F, go for about 45-50 minutes.

At 350°F

Your meatloaf needs at least 50 to 60 minutes to be cooked thoroughly at 350°F.

The best way to know that your meatloaf is done is to check the internal temperature of the meat with a thermometer. To be fully cooked, it should reach an internal temperature of 160°F.

Let your meatloaf rest for 10-15 minutes to room temperature. This will ensure it does not fall apart and also allow the juices to absorb into the meat.

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Sauce

The glaze for this easy classic recipe is as important as the meat. The glaze should have the right balance of sweetness and tang. It is spread over the top during the baking process.

We use a mixture of ketchup, tomato paste, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard, brown sugar, ketchup, and paprika. This simple combination complements the dish and gives it a nice touch of spices.

How Long Does It Last?

1. In the Fridge

Before placing your cooked meatloaf in the fridge, you should keep it in a shallow airtight container or wrap it with plastic wrap. With a proper storage method, meatloaf will last for 3 to 4 days.

2. In the Freezer

To lengthen the shelf life of cooked meatloaf, you can freeze it. Simply place your meatloaf in an airtight container or wrap it with aluminum foil and keep it in the freezer.

A meatloaf which is properly stored will last well for about 3 months.

What to Serve with

With a hearty meatloaf, people often head straight to the classic combination of mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. However, the long baking time of meatloaf allows us to be creative.

So here are some other options that can complement your easy classic this recipe:

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1. Sandwiches

A good side dish that can be served with this recipe is sandwiches. For a healthier choice, you can choose whole-wheat bread.

Meatloaf is already creamy and rich in flavor, so a simple side like sandwiches will balance it out nicely. Many people also enjoy eating as a sandwich filling.

2. Rice

Speaking of starch, rice is a side dish that can go well with almost any savory main dish. Rice also doesn’t take much time and effort to prepare.

Rice can be bland on its own, but it can also easily be customized depending on your preference. For a simple flavorful version, add some cilantro and a touch of salt to your steamed rice. 

In case you want something fancy, fried rice is a great accompaniment. A mixture of rice with peas, carrots, and eggs pairs well with the meatloaf. 

We recommend serving with a fresh beetroot and feta cheese salad and watermelon cucumber on the side.

More Delicious Oven-Baked Beef Recipes for You to Try

Our tortilla pie recipe is a fun twist on one of Mexican cuisine’s staples, with layers of seasoned ground beef, cheese, and crispy tortillas. This easy dish is perfect for a family dinner or potluck gathering.

Into something more classic? This beef pot pie is the perfect comfort food for a cozy night in. Made with tender beef, savory vegetables, and a flaky crust, it is sure to satisfy any appetite.

If you’re a fan of oven-baked recipes with beef that are just as tasty, scroll through this roundup for more delicious ideas.

Healthy Meatloaf Recipe

5 from 2 votes

If you are still wondering what to cook for dinner, look no further because the healthy easy classic meatloaf recipe is right here! Packed with rich flavors and coated with a delicious shiny glaze, this meatloaf and everything about it is just exceptional.

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• cook TIME 55 mins
• prep TIME 15 mins
• total TIME 1 hr 10 mins

• COURSE Main Course
• CUISINE American
• SERVINGS
  4

  servings
• CALORIES 493 kcal

Healthy Meatloaf Recipe

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INGREDIENTS

1x2x3x

• 16 oz 85% lean ground beef
• 8 oz bell pepper (chopped)
• 6 oz red onion (chopped)
• 6 oz broccoli
• 4 oz onion (minced)
• 3 oz carrot (minced)
• 2 tsp garlic (minced)
• 2 oz bread crumbs
• 1 medium egg
• 1 oz shredded parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil (divided to 1 tbsp, 1/2 tbsp)
• 1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
• 3/4 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp traditional Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp Amore tomato paste
• 1 tbsp Heinz ketchup

INSTRUCTIONS

Image instructions

1

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2

Heat a pan over medium heat, cook 4 oz onion, 3 oz carrot, and 2 tbsp garlic with 1/2 tbsp of olive oil for about 5 minutes until they are soft. Let them cool down completely.

3

In a large bowl, combine the 16 oz ground beef, 1/3 cup milk, 2 oz bread crumbs, cooked onion and carrot, 1 oz parmesan, 1 egg, 1/4 cup parsley, 3/4 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/t tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper.

4

Mix until everything is well-combined but don’t over-mix.

5

Place the beef mixture onto a baking sheet and form it into a loaf.

6

Put it in the oven for 20 minutes at 350°F.

7

In a small bowl, mix vegetables (6 oz red onions, 6 oz broccoli, and 8 oz bell peppers) with 1 tbsp olive oil.

8

In another bowl, mix 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp mustard, 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tbsp ketchup, 1/2 tsp onion powder, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder for the glaze.

9

After 20 minutes in the oven, smear half of the glaze over the top of the meatloaf and place the vegetables around.

10

Place the baking sheet back into the oven for 20 minutes (at 350°F), then smear the rest of the sauce on top. Bake for a further 15 minutes.

11

Serve.

NUTRITION

Nutrition Facts

Healthy Meatloaf Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 493Calories from Fat 243

% Daily Value*

Fat 27g

42%

Saturated Fat 10g

63%

Trans Fat 27g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 4g

Cholesterol 124mg

41%

Sodium 602mg

26%

Potassium 579mg

17%

Carbohydrate 31g

10%

Fiber 5g

21%

Sugar 12g

13%

Protein 31g

62%

Vitamin A 6140IU

123%

Vitamin C 122mg

148%

Calcium 199mg

20%

Iron 2mg

11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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