Our Favorite Meat Loaf Food

THE BEST MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
• Whisk the eggs, milk, Worcestershire sauce and 2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl until completely combined. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender and lightly golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add 3 tablespoons of the ketchup and cook until most of the moisture has evaporated and the mixture is thick and brick red colored, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and let the onions cool slightly. Then add them to the beaten eggs and mix to combine.
• Add the beef to the egg and onion mixture. Break up the meat with a fork or wooden spoon, and then mix to thoroughly combine; you don't want to see any lumps of raw beef. Add the panko and mix to combine. Stir the meat vigorously with a wooden spoon for about 7 seconds; it will become more homogenous and tackier.
• Transfer the meat to the prepared baking sheet and shape into a 9-by-5-inch loaf. Smooth the top and evenly spread the remaining ketchup over top. Bake for 5 minutes, and then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees. Continue to bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf registers 150 degrees F, 30 to 35 minutes. Allow the meatloaf to rest for 20 minutes before slicing.

CLASSIC MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
• Combine the meatloaf mix, breadcrumbs, parsley, eggs, onion, garlic, 1/4 cup of the ketchup, 1 tablespoon of the Worcestershire, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a large mixing bowl. Using your hands, mix together until well combined.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet and form it into a compact oval-shaped loaf about 9 inches by 5 inches. Bake the meatloaf for 30 minutes.
• Stir the brown sugar together with the remaining 1/4 cup ketchup and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire in a small bowl for the glaze. Brush the top and sides of the meatloaf all over with the glaze. Return to the oven and bake until the glaze starts to caramelize and a thermometer inserted in the center of the meatloaf registers 160 degrees F, about 25 minutes more. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

OUR FAVORITE MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet or 13x9" shallow baking dish with foil. Soak breadcrumbs in milk in a large bowl until ready to use.
• Pulse onion, celery, and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped. (Alternatively, you can finely chop by hand.)
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Add onion mixture, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in Worcestershire, and scrape into bowl with breadcrumb mixture. Add beef, pork, eggs, 1/4 cup ketchup, and remaining 1 1/4 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. pepper, then mix with your hands to combine.
• Form meatloaf mixture into a long, well-packed, approximately 5"-wide loaf shape on prepared baking sheet. Brush top of loaf with 1/4 cup ketchup. Bake meatloaf until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 155°F, 60-75 minutes. Let rest 15 minutes before slicing. Serve with more ketchup alongside.
• Do Ahead
• Meatloaf can be made 3 days ahead; wrap in foil and chill, or freeze for up to 3 months.

DAD'S - OUR FAVORITE MEATLOAF

Steps:

• For the tomato relish, chop tomatoes, peppers, and onions into a medium dice. Saute over high heat. Finish with ketchup. Lower heat. Reduce to a simmer.
• For the Meatloaf, in a large mixing bowl, using a fork, combine 1/2 cup of the tomato relish, the ground meats, egg and egg white, bread crumbs, garlic and skim milk.
• Finish with olive oil, and then lightly pack into a 9-inch loaf pan.
• Cover with half the remaining relish and place in the middle of a preheated 350 degree oven.
• Bake for 45 minutes to one hour or until the center of the meat loaf reaches 170 degrees.
• Allow meatloaf to cool 15 minutes before slicing.
• Serve with additional relish.

MY FAVORITE MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together.
• Form into a loaf and place in a foil-lined bread pan. (There usually is about 2 inches of space on both ends between the meatloaf and the pan).
• Making sure the top is flat to insure even cooking.
• You can top it with extra ketchup, if desired.
• Bake at 425°F for 45 minutes.

OUR FAVORITE MEATLOAF

Steps:

• In nonstick large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
• Add red peppers and onions and cook until tender and lightly browned, 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring. Set vegetables aside to cool slightly.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• In large bowl, mix sausage meat, ground beef, eggs, bread crumbs, parmesan, tomato sauce, salt and cooked vegetables just until well combined, but not over mixed.
• In 13" by 9" ungreased metal baking pan (I use silicon pans), shape meat mixture into 9" by 5" loaf. Bake for 1 hour.
• Sprinkle mozzarella or fontina cheese down center of loaf in a 2-inch-wide strip and bake for 10 minutes longer.
• Let meatloaf stand 10 minutes before slicing.