Tiffany Haney
Meatloaf is a delicious, easy-to-make meal that can be prepared in a loaf pan. While some recipes call for a baking sheet, using a loaf pan is a great way to shape and cook your meatloaf. To get started, you'll need to mix all your ingredients in a large bowl, using either a spoon or your hands. Once everything is combined, gently pat the mixture into your loaf pan, forming an even layer. You can then add your sauce and bake your meatloaf to perfection. This guide will walk you through the steps to create a mouth-watering meatloaf using a loaf pan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meatloaf mixture | Ground beef, onion, milk, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, lean ground beef, ground turkey, cheese |
| Meatloaf sauce | Glaze, BBQ sauce, ketchup, salsa, pizza sauce, brown gravy, chilli sauce, Italian seasoning, parsley |
| Meatloaf shape | Press the mixture into a loaf pan, form the mixture into the shape of a loaf without a loaf pan |
| Meatloaf pan preparation | Lightly grease a standard size loaf pan with cooking spray, line a loaf pan with plastic wrap or aluminium foil |
| Baking temperature | Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), bake for 30-50 minutes, reheat in the microwave or oven |
| Meatloaf temperature | Internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) |
| Resting time | 10 minutes |
| Storage | Freeze for up to 3 months, store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days |
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What You'll Learn
Grease the loaf pan
To put meatloaf in a loaf pan, you'll first want to grease the pan. This will help prevent the meatloaf from sticking to the pan and make it easier to remove once it's cooked. You can use a variety of substances to grease the pan, such as cooking spray, butter, or oil. Simply use a pastry brush or paper towel to coat the inside of the pan evenly. Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies of the pan for easy removal later.
If you don't have any of the above substances on hand, you can also use parchment paper. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of the loaf pan, and allow the paper to come up the sides of the pan as well. This will create a barrier between the meatloaf and the pan, making it easier to remove the meatloaf after baking.
Another option is to use aluminium foil. Line the loaf pan with aluminium foil, ensuring that the foil fits snugly against the bottom and sides of the pan. This will create a similar barrier to the parchment paper, allowing you to lift the meatloaf out of the pan easily after baking.
Once you've greased the pan or lined it with parchment paper or aluminium foil, you're ready to add the meatloaf mixture and proceed with your recipe.
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Form the meatloaf
To form the meatloaf, start by gathering all the ingredients and mixing them together in a large bowl. Use a large spoon or, for best results, use clean hands to gently mix the ingredients. Wet your hands with cold water to prevent the meat from sticking and mix until the ingredients are just blended. Avoid over-mixing, as this will make your meatloaf tough and dense.
Once your ingredients are mixed, it's time to shape your meatloaf. You can use a loaf pan to shape your meatloaf by packing your meat mixture into a standard 9-inch or 10-inch loaf pan. Gently pat the mixture into an even layer. If you don't have a loaf pan, you can simply form the meat mixture into the shape of a loaf on a baking sheet or a rimmed cookie sheet.
If you want to add cheese to your meatloaf, press half of the meat mixture into the bottom of the pan. Add slices of your favourite cheese, then cover with the remaining meat mixture.
You can also poke finger-sized holes in the top of the meatloaf after forming it and fill them with your desired toppings.
Once you've shaped your meatloaf, it's ready to be baked!
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Bake for 30 minutes
Once the meatloaf mixture is in the pan, it's time to bake! Place the loaf pan in the oven and set a timer for 30 minutes. While the meatloaf is baking, you can make the sauce. Combine all the sauce ingredients in a bowl and mix well. You can also use this time to prepare any side dishes you may want to serve with your meatloaf.
After 30 minutes, remove the meatloaf from the oven. It's now time to add the sauce. Spread the sauce evenly over the top of the meatloaf. Use a spatula to ensure the sauce is evenly distributed and covers the entire surface of the meatloaf.
Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 20 minutes. The total cooking time, including the initial 30 minutes, should be around 45 to 50 minutes. However, the exact cooking time may vary depending on your oven and the size of your meatloaf.
To ensure your meatloaf is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The meatloaf is ready when the thermometer inserted into the centre of the loaf reads 160°F (71°C). If the meatloaf has not reached this temperature, return it to the oven and bake for a few more minutes before checking again.
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Add sauce and bake again
Once the meatloaf has baked for about 30 minutes, remove it from the oven and spread the sauce over it. You can make the sauce while the meatloaf is baking by combining all the ingredients in a bowl. You can also make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
There are many different sauces and glazes you can use for your meatloaf. A simple combination of ketchup and chilli sauce is a classic, and you can add brown sugar to make it sweeter. You can also add other ingredients like mustard, Worcestershire sauce, or even crushed-up Cool Ranch Doritos for a unique flavour.
Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. If you used ground turkey or chicken, the internal temperature should be 165°F.
Let the meatloaf rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. This will make it easier to slice, and the juices will redistribute.
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Rest and serve
Once your meatloaf is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring your meatloaf doesn't crumble when sliced.
If you want to avoid a greasy meatloaf, you can turn the meatloaf out of the pan and onto a rimmed cookie sheet, lined with foil, to bake. You can also place slices of bread underneath the meatloaf in the loaf pan to absorb excess fat. Alternatively, you can use a wire rack on top of a lipped cookie sheet.
Meatloaf can be served with mashed potatoes and vegetables for a classic meal. You can also serve it with brown gravy, or with a sauce such as ketchup, BBQ sauce, or salsa.
Meatloaf sandwiches are a great way to use up leftovers. You can also freeze leftover meatloaf for up to three months.
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Frequently asked questions
Line a loaf pan with plastic wrap and pack your favourite meat mixture into the pan to mould the shape of the meatloaf.
Simply form the meatloaf into the shape of a loaf and bake it on a baking sheet.
Wet your hands with cold water before mixing the ingredients to prevent the meat from sticking. You can also line the loaf pan with parchment paper.
Bake the meatloaf for about 30 minutes, spread the sauce over it, and then bake for another 15-30 minutes or until cooked through (160°F).
