Do you love meatloaf? This is definitely not the dull and boring meatloaf you dreaded eating when you were growing up. We hope you enjoy making it at home for your family. Super easy, super delicious, and fun variations to try!
The 1 lb meatloaf is a great option for a family of 4, however if you love leftover meatloaf sandwiches or have a larger family double the recipe for more meaty deliciousness.
1 pound ground beef, leaner is better
1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
1 t salt
1 t pepper
1-2 t mustard powder
4 pieces of old bread or the end of a loaf that usually no-one likes to eat
1/4 C milk
2 eggs
1 package of bacon
BBQ Seasoning
1 Cup ketchup
1/4 Cup brown sugar
1 t Worcestershire
a hint of liquid smoke if you like extra smokey flavored BBQ sauce.
Mix together the ground beef, seasonings, bread ripped into small 1 inch pieces, milk and eggs. Mix until all is incorporated.
Place in a meatloaf pan if you have one. A meatloaf pan has an insert to a bread pan that lets the fat drip out. If you don't have one place on rack that is set over a dripping pan to let the meatloaf bake without sitting in the fat.
Top the meatloaf with half of the BBQ sauce mix. Save the other half of the BBQ sauce mixture and serve warm with the meatloaf as a dipping sauce.
Bake at 400-425 for 45-60 minutes. Bake until the center of the meatloaf is at 165-175 degrees.
A few versions to try:
Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf:
Wrap the bacon around the meatloaf and help it hold together the meatloaf shape. Weave it if you want to make it extra fancy.
Cheese Explosion Meatloaf:
When placing meat loaf into the plan, place half the mixture. Layer your cheese filling mix. You can use plain cheddar cheese, pepper jack, sour cream and shredded cheese mixture, whatever you would like. Layer it in the center about half the loaf mixture. Layer the other half on top.
Mini Meatloaf:
If using lean beef you can make mini meatloafs using muffin tins or similar small pan. Also great if you are short on baking time because it will cook much faster depending on what size tins.
Meatballs:
Another great variation is to use the main recipe to make meatballs. They hold together very well if you hand roll them into meatballs. Make big batches and freeze the meatballs to save time later.