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The Best Meatloaf Recipe EVER

Meatloaf doesn't have to be boring! This recipe makes meatloaf a dish your kids will look forward to!

The only Meatloaf Recipe, you’ll ever need!

I’m not going to lie … Meatloaf was something I actually hated growing up… FINALLY, I can admit to it. I’m not sure what my mom put in it, but whatever it is I hated it. I never understood why people liked meatloaf, and I never cared… Until I met my husband!

I remember when I first met my husband and we started dating. He loved the fact that I could cook. Like he was so impressed that I could cook food without using a box . I knew I had him wrapped around my finger, from the first dinner I had ever made him. One day I asked him, what his favorite meal was and he replied ” Meatloaf!”.. I almost died. I couldn’t believe that his favorite meal was freaking MEATLOAF. Why couldn’t he say steak, or mac and cheese. He had to say meatloaf. I thought I had a crazy man on my hands, but I played it cool and smiled and promised to make him some darn meatloaf. That evening I searched high and low for a meatloaf recipe… I came across several that actually seemed okay, but then I didn’t know what kind of meatloaf to make him. Did he want gravy, barbecue, or what? I studied him over the next few weeks, and picked up what kind of foods he liked, and I simply ran with that.

 

  • He liked everything barbecue ( omg all the barbecues he made me go to….)
  • He loved onions and peppers
  • He hated gravy ( I seriously thought he was crazy when I figured this one out!)

I had a lot to work with… From that point, I simply created very basic but OUTSTANDING meatloaf recipe… To make a long story short, he loved it. He requests it at least once every two weeks… and I am now a meatloaf lover myself! ( By the way – please don’t tell my mom that I hate her meatloaf… I’d never hear the end of it)

Keep things moist by not overstuffing and overfilling it.

For my meatloaf, I use a combination of our favorite things… I have onions, peppers, garlic, salsa, and I even use cheese.  I actually started using cheese, after discovering that our favorite diner put cheese in their meatloaf, and my family loves it. I use the salsa because it has a nice mild flavor AND tomatoes.

You can definitely change this recipe up a bit. Feel free to experiment ( that’s how I came up with my meatloaf!)

Experiment with different fillings to play with the flavor profiles.

I used a loaf pan to shape up my meatloaf. You can used your hands or whatever else. Also, feel free to make meatloaf meatballs with this recipe… They’re amazing!!!

Here’s the video tutorial

 

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The Best Meatloaf Recipe EVER

When you make meatloaf, it gives you a chance to play with the different flavors and flavor profiles with the meat. I love using peppers and tomatoes in mine. See what works for you!
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 2 eggs
  • 4-5 slices of bread
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup bell peppers any colors
  • 1 medium onion
  • 2 celery stalks
  • 2 tsp seasoning salt
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 tsp parsley flakes
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese
  • 1/4 cup chunky salsa
  • 1/4 cup barbecue sauce

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven on 350 F.
  • Place the ground beef into a large bowl.
  • Place the bread into a separate bowl, then pour the milk over the bread. Let it sit for two minutes, then crumble the bread.
  • Add the bread and milk mixture , and two eggs into the bowl with the ground beef.
  • Use your hands to combine the ingredients.
  • Dice/ Chop the celery, peppers, and onions, then saute them in a pan with 1 tbsp of olive oil. Cook the vegetables for about 3 minutes over medium heat, then let it cool off.
  • Once the veggies have cooled add them to the meat mixture.
  • Add Everything else to the bowl, EXCEPT the barbecue sauce.
  • Use your hands to combine the ingredients.
  • Mold the meat into your desire shape, then place it in a bake dish.
  • Pour the barbecue sauce on top of the meatloaf, and spread it all over.
  • Bake the meatloaf, uncovered, on 350 F for 50 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Remove the meatloaf from the oven, drain any fat that maybe in the bake dish,and let it sit for 10 minutes before digging in.
  • Enjoy!

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Comments

  3. Made this today Rosie, delicious!!!! I made a couple of changes left out the celery & instead of bbq sauce, used tomato sauce (seasoning, honey, brown sugar). Thanks again for another awesome recipe.

    Reply

  5. Going to definitely try this. It looks so “down Home” comfort food. Thats what I am into. Just go food and easy to make. Thank you for posting.

    Reply

  8. This meatloaf looks so good…definitely trying this recipe. We LOVE meatloaf and leftover meatloaf sandwiches!!! Pinned. Thanks for another great recipe!

    Reply

  10. I’m making meatloaf for 40-45 people, (homeless group downtown that some of us women cook for every Saturday). I want to use your recipe. I’ll be using 13-14 lbs of hamburger. Any suggestions on the recipe? Thanks so much. I’m sure they’re going to LOVE it.

    Reply

    • Hi Shanna! I think that what you’re doing is great! You and the other ladies are wonderful for doing what you do. Try using this recipe x6 . There should be more than enough for everyone.

      Reply

  13. Did you add onion soup mix? I identified all the seasonings you added in your video except for the blended seasoning mix.

    Reply

      • I use KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce, I never thought of sauteing my onions and peppers but will the next time, I can’t use the cheese as it doesn’t agree with my husband but I do use Panko Bread Crumbs and eggs it is a big hit. Thanks Rosie we’re pretty close on recipes.

        Reply

  18. Hi Rosie, do I add the eggs after the bread and milk mixture with the ground beef? Planning on making this tomorrow. Thanks a ton!!

    Reply

  20. Hi Rosie, can you tell me what spices I can possibly put on my ground turkey to season it just right? Seems like everytime I put seasonings on mine it’s either too much or not enough. I just want to make sure my meat is perfect tasting. Please advise!

    Reply

  21. Oh, ok 🙂 I will def try that. Thank you so much. Finally I can get it right 🙂 I truly appreciate it Rosie 🙂 And please keep your recipes coming 🙂

    Reply


  23. Wow this meatloaf was amazing!!! I am just learning how to cook and I use a lot of your recipes but this one has to be my favorite I’m almost scared to tell my husband this is another woman recipes lol

    Reply


  24. Hi Rosie, I tried this tonight as I had most of the ingredients and it was the best meatloaf I’ve had, moist and juicy and the tip with adding cheese really made a difference so happy I came across your blog I will definitely be cooking this up again very soon xo 🙂

    Reply

  25. Hi Rosie, I made this receipe and it came out great. My family loved this meatloaf. It was juicy and moist. Thank you, Rosie keep on posting your receipes. . Sherry

    Reply

  26. I just tried this recipe and it’s delicious! Very moist and flavorful! Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply


  29. Even though the reviews are positive, I was skeptical about this recipe that had ingredients like cheese and BBQ sauce that I wouldn’t dream to put in a meatloaf but when I tell you this meatloaf was soooo darn good! My family gobbled it down and said it was best meatloaf I had ever made and I have to agree with them. Thanks for another outstanding recipe Rosie, I don’t know why I ever doubted you!

    Reply


  30. Omg!!! I followed your recipe to the T and it turned out awesome!!! As all your recipes that I have tried. Thank you so much for blessing us with your gift!!!

    Reply


  31. Thank you so much for this recipe! I made it tonight for dinner and it was a hit. My boyfriend said it’s the best meatloaf ever. Again thank you.

    Reply

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