The Best Meatloaf Recipe
This is actually one of the very first recipes I ever posted. It’s such a marvelous simple meatloaf recipe, and was buried so deep in my archives, I thought it deserved a facelift. So I’m republishing my best meatloaf recipe today, on behalf of all you meatloaf-lovers out there. I used to not like meatloaf, but my husband and kids love it. So I came up with this simple meatloaf recipe, using half ground turkey (instead of pork or veal) and tons of pureed veggies. It really lightens the meatloaf and suits my taste buds much more than heavy traditional meatloaf. I decided to make individually sized meatloaves because they cook much faster than a large loaf. And they’re cute. Meatloaf is a marvelous make ahead meal. I’m a big proponent of doubling or tripling recipes when you cook, and freezing the extras for later meals. We all have those days when we either run out of time to cook, or just don’t have the energy at the end of the day.
Can You Freeze Meatloaf?
As mentioned above, yes! Meatloaf keeps its sumptuous texture after freezing and thawing so it is perfect for make-ahead meal prep. Plus, storing meals allows you to have a homemade meal with essentially no work, on the day you need it. It is also a money-saver, because you can buy meat and other ingredients in the economy size. You spend a little more up front, but save in the long run. Sometimes when you wrap food to put it in the freezer, the aesthetic value is lost. Food often doesn’t come out of the freezer looking like it did the day you put it in. Freezer bags get mashed up in the freezer and the items inside don’t come apart without looking horrid! I discovered that if I flash freeze the items FIRST, then wrap them; they look a lot better the day I want to thaw and cook them. Flash freezing works great for individually portioned meats like mini meatloaves, garlic-cheese breads, cookies and cupcakes, homemade pizza, and appetizers.
What Ingredients You Will Need
For The Best Meatloaf Recipe Ever:
Seasoned Bread CrumbsSaltPepperCayenneCaraway SeedsDried Thyme – or fresh would work as wellOnionCarrotCelery Stalk Red Bell Pepper Garlic ClovesGround TurkeyGround Beef ChuckEggMilkWorcestershire Sauce
For The Glaze:
Chili Sauce (Not the Asian variety, but the kind that is like spicy ketchup.) Balsamic VinegarHoneyCumin
How To Make These Mini Meatloaf Recipes
Get the Complete (Printable) Best Meatloaf Recipe Ever (Mini Meatloaf Recipe) Below. Enjoy!
How Long Do Leftovers Last?
You can store these cooked leftovers in an airtight container for about 3 to 5 days in the fridge.
How Do I Prepare The Frozen Loaves I Made?
You can bake these mini meatloaves from frozen, or once thawed, raw, or precooked. If you bake them frozen, they’ll take 45 to 60 minutes to cook in the oven. If they are raw and thawed, cook as directed in the recipe. If reheating cooked thawed meatloaves, place them in the oven for about 10-15 minutes.
Can I Make This Recipe Dairy Free/Grain Free?
To make this healthy meatloaf recipe dairy-free or grain-free, simply remove the breadcrumbs and milk. Use gluten free and/or dairy free replacements.
Other Great Home Cooking Meals
Balsamic Oven Baked Steak Recipe (Sheet Pan Dinner)Baked Pesto Spaghetti Squash with Chicken RecipeSmoked Pork Loin (+ Tenderloin) RecipeGround Beef Stuffed Peppers without Rice Recipe (Keto and Low Carb) Malfatti (Gnudi) Ricotta Dumplings RecipeSteak Diane (Cheesecake Factory Copycat) RecipeInstant Pot Mushroom Risotto Recipe Jamaican Oxtail Stew RecipeRoman Chicken with Peppers and Onions RecipeBest Strawberry Pretzel Salad (Jello Dessert Recipe)
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