Meat Loaf Tips and Tricks

There are a few tried and true, as well as, fresh new tips and tricks that will help you prepare the perfect meatloaf. This is a guide about meat loaf tips and tricks.

Solutions: Meat Loaf Tips and Tricks

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Add Broccoli Slaw to Meatloaf

A dear friend of mine and I agree - we never make meatloaf in quite the same way twice. The last time I made it, I added one cup Brocco-Slaw per pound of meat, along with all the other ingredients, plus oats instead of some of the bread crumbs. It turned out to be very flavorful and sliced really well.

The Brocco-slaw was unnoticeable, except for a few tiny shreds of carrot here and there, so this is a good way to add vegetables for your kids. They might pick out a little carrot, but they'll eat the broccoli and red cabbage without knowing it.

Just make your meatloaf as usual, adjusting the amount of bread crumbs/oats and eggs to account for the extra liquid when the veggies cook. For 3 lbs. of ground meat, I used 1 cup whole-wheat bread crumbs, 1 1/2 cups oats (the kind that cook for 5 minutes), 2 eggs, and 3 cups slaw, and all my usual ingredients (herbs, onions, Worcestershire sauce, etc).

In addition to adding more veggies, this really stretches your meal. It made 3 nice meatloaves, 1 to eat and 2 to freeze for a lazy-day meal. It's healthier, and it tasted great!

Another good way to stretch meat loaf is to drain a can or two of beans (depends on the size of the meat loaf), mash them thoroughly, and mix them into the meat. I prefer kidney beans for the color and taste.

Brocco-slaw is sold here in the States in the produce section. It is shredded broccoli stems with a little carrot and red cabbage for color and flavor. It makes a delicious alternative to cabbage in your slaw.

By Copasetic 1 from North Royalton, OH

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Meatloaf in Muffin Tins

Foil Liners

Instead of putting your meatloaf in a loaf pan put it in a muffin tin. It only takes 20 minutes to cook that way and is much less greasy. Another tip I just figured out; it was kinda a mess after cooking them this way, so I used some of these thin metal liners that come with cupcake liners. I used the cupcake liners awhile back and saved the outer metal ones, figuring I might find a use for them one day. Well I now have one. Cleanup was a breeze because there was none.

By Christi from Paducah, KY

More Crispy Parts

My sister starting doing this because everyone fought over the crispy end pieces, now with the muffin loaves, everyone gets a crispy piece.

By Regina

Great for Freezing

I've been cooking my meatloaf in the larger muffin size pans now for about 3-4 years. It's so much easier. After they're cooled, I pop them in a big ziploc or freezer container and in the freezer they go, until I'm ready for some of them. I usually make several pans of them, so I have plenty for lots of meals. Just bring out how many I need for a quick meal, a few minutes in the microwave and they're ready! There's nothing faster than that!

By badwater

Cooking for Two

My husband and I love meat loaf. There are just the two of us now so I bake my meat loaf in a muffin pan. I quick freeze the ones leftover and put them in a ziplock bag. When I want meat loaf I take out how many I want.

By Hazel Rabenaldt

Microwave Muffins

To shorten the cooking time of meat loaf, bake individual servings in a muffin pan. The smaller portions of the meat mixture cook more rapidly than a single loaf. To save even more time, use a microwave-safe muffin pan and cook your meatloaf muffins in the microwave!

By M. Day, Ohio

Meatloaf Muffins Recipe

Another time saving tip is this yummy and easy meatloaf recipe.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 box savory herbs stove top stuffing
2 eggs
1 cup of water

Directions

Mix all together and put into muffin tins & bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F.

By Amy

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Use Stuffing Mix for Meatloaf

When making a meatloaf, try adding a package of dry stuffing mix (I use the generic brand) to your meatloaf mix instead of using breadcrumbs, oatmeal, etc. The stuffing mix contains just the right blend of herbs, and makes the meatloaf very tasty. My sons love it!

Source: I overheard a lady in a grocery store saying that this is the way her daughter makes her meatloaf.

By Sally from Pittsburgh, PA

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Stuff Your Meatloaf With Cheese

You take string cheese and mold your meatloaf around it. You can also make mini ones.

Make your meatloaf. Then flatten it out on wax paper and spread with a little Pam or what ever you have. Helps it from sticking to much. Then put your string cheese on it, how ever much you like. Just bake as you would normally.

Source: My daughter gave this to me.

By firststar2 from Rockford, IL

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Add Milled Flax Seed to Meatloaf

To add nutrition to meatloaf and other foods, I add milled flax seed to it instead of oatmeal or bread. This way I am sneaking great nutrition into my families dinner, but they don't even know it.

By Bonnie

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Meatloaf Tips

Tips for making great meatloaf. Post your ideas.

Spicing Up Meat Loaf

Spice up your meat loaf by adding a tube of Jimmy Dean spicy breakfast sausage. Makes it so spicy, the kids will love it.

By Michelle Draveski

Add Zucchini

Grate zucchini (about 3/4 cup) into any meat loaf recipe. It guarantees the loaf will be moist. Kids can't taste the zucchini either.

By Tressa

Add Salad Dressing

Put either Sweet and Spicy French Dressing, or Russian Dressing in your meatloaf, instead of catsup. Mmmmmgood! (03/17/2005)

By sashya1982

Top With Mashed Potatoes And Cheese

To get my kids to eat meatloaf I put mashed potatoes on the meatloaf as soon as it came out of the oven. Then I put 2 slices of cheese on top of that, put it under the broiler till the cheese melted. They loved it and didn't know until they were adults that it was meatloaf. The idea wasn't mine, I saw a recipe somewhere that did it that way.

By Jeane in Texas

Use Rice And Spaghetti Sauce

My meatloaf never ever tasted special. I always used oats to make it go further. Now I use rice instead and spaghetti sauce instead of ketchup. Big improvement! The other ideas sound great and thanks for the tips.

By Anonymous

A1 Steak Sauce

I add A1 to mine.. it always adds that right amount of kick!

By Ladywilde

Sneak In Wheat Germ

I always "sneak" some wheat germ into my meatloaf in place of some of the bread crumbs, to add nutrional value without tasting like health food! I also use up the last dibs and dabs of any condiments -- BBQ sauce, steak sauce, etc -- by pouring a little milk or water into the bottle, capping tightly, and swishing vigorously -- then add that to the meatloaf mix.

By Becki in Indiana

Add Milled Flax Seed to Meat Loaf

To add nutrition to meatloaf and other foods, I add Milled Flax Seed to it instead of oatmeal or bread. This way I am sneaking in great nutrition into my families dinner, but they don't even know it.

By Bonnie

Perfect Topping

Put combo of catsup and brown sugar on meatloaf. Then top with 2 slices of bacon. Once baked immediately drain grease and let sit 5 minutes or more before serving. Awesome everytime!

C Robinson

Making Meatloaf

When making a meatloaf, use Ground beef, Worcestershire Sauce, onions, fresh garlic, tomato sauce, ketchup, pepper, salt, bread crumbs, and an egg. About 20 minutes before it's done, pour a stream of tomato sauce down the center top of the meatloaf and let it finish cooking. It will be the best meat loaf you've tasted. Serve with a salad and homemade macaroni and cheese. UMMMMM GOOD.

By Vicky

RE: Meatloaf Tips

I never liked meatloaf made by anyone but my mom. Then I learned why. She never put tomato sauce or ketchup in it. Here is her recipe: Mom's Meatloaf

1 lb. hamburg
minced onion to personal taste
1 beaten egg
1/2 teas. poultry seasoning
1/2 rolled oats
salt and pepper to taste
enough milk to mix

Mix all ingredients, put in loafpan, and bake for 30 minutes in 350 degree oven.

By Deb

Add Honey Catsup On Top

This all sounds good. I put Honey then catup on top of mine before I bake. It it is sooooooooooo good, it gives it a sweet taste.

By Shirley

Use Muffin Tins Instead

These are good ideas. I use oatmeal instead of breadcrumbs and I parboil grated potatoes and grated carrots, then mix as usual, but I put them in muffin tins to cut down cooking time. Cooks more evenly too. Make great leftover, pop two in a sandwich bag and take to work the next day. Cooks in about 20-25 minutes.

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Nonstick Meatloaf

Here's a tasty way to keep meatloaf from sticking to the pan. Line your pan with a couple strips of bacon before putting the meatloaf in the pan. It's not cheap, but it sure tastes good.

By Fisher

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Easy Tips For Making Meatloaf

1. Line a broiler rack with heavy duty foil, with a knife make slits through the slits in the rack. Place on top of broiler pan. Now form your meatloaf on this rack, it will take care of the grease!

2. When making any kind of 'meat mix' (for meatloaf or meatballs, etc.), put a small amount (1 Tbsp.) on a plate and cook for 30 seconds in the microwave until cooked through. This way, you can taste-test your mix before cooking, and adjust as needed.

Source: I think I made these up, but probably didn't. :o)

By Kim from Crawford, CO

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Use Bread to Absorb Meatloaf Grease

I have found that one way to prevent meat loaf fats from settling on the bottom of your loaf pan is to place a piece of bread on the bottom. The meat loaf is not only easier to remove, but once the bread is removed your loaf is a little less fat-laden.

By Snoonie from Baltimore, MD

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Questions

Here are questions related to Meat Loaf Tips and Tricks.

New Ideas for Meatloaf

I am looking for a good meatloaf recipe. If anyone has one they would like to share please do. I do not have one.

By tinkbell from Toledo, OH

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Most Recent Answer

By name567803/01/2012

Use a metal muffin pan, make the meatloaf how you usually would, but don't cook it. Leave it raw. After it is all mashed together, put meat into each section of the muffin pan. Then you lightly press your thumb about halfway down the raw meat. Now you can put whatever you want into that "indent." You can do spaghetti sauce and mozz. cheese. Salsa and cheddar cheese. or even barbecue sauce and cheddar. They're called bite size fiesta loaves:)