The Ultimate Guide to Making a Perfect Meatloaf
Meatloaf is a classic comfort food that is easy to make perfect for feeding a crowd. However getting the perfect meatloaf can be a bit tricky. Here is the ultimate guide to making a perfect meatloaf.
Ingredients
The first key to making a great meatloaf is having the right ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound ground beef (85% lean)
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 cup ketchup or barbecue sauce (optional for topping)
Instructions
Once you have your ingredients ready it’s time to start making the meatloaf.
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl mix together the ground beef bread crumbs milk egg chopped onion salt pepper garlic powder thyme. Mix everything together until all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the meat.
3. Place the meat mixture into a loaf pan or shape into a loaf on a baking sheet. If you’re using a loaf pan make sure to press the mixture down firmly so that it settles into the corners.
4. If using ketchup or barbecue sauce for topping spread it over the top of the meatloaf.
5. Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for about 45-55 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
6. Once the meatloaf is done baking let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing serving.
Tips
Here are some additional tips for making the perfect meatloaf:
- Don’t overwork the meat mixture. Mix it just enough so that everything is evenly distributed but not so much that the mixture becomes dense tough.
- If you’re using a loaf pan use parchment paper to line the pan before adding the meat mixture. This makes it easier to remove the meatloaf from the pan ensures that it doesn’t stick.
- Experiment with different toppings. While ketchup or barbecue sauce is a classic choice you can also try other toppings like gravy salsa or even a chutney.
- If you’d like to add some extra flavor to your meatloaf you can mix in some chopped mushrooms peppers or even cheese.
Conclusion
Making the perfect meatloaf may seem daunting but by following these easy steps tips you’ll be able to make a delicious satisfying dish that everyone will love. Enjoy!
