Quick and Easy Meatloaf Recipes

I love meatloaf. It reminds me of mom and home and simpler times.  It’s comfort food. 

Meatloaf is quick and easy to make - just mix a few ingredients in a bowl, turn them into a pan and bake for an hour or so. It’s quick, easy, and satisfying.

I’m always on the lookout for quick and easy meatloaf recipes. It seems like I never make the same meatloaf twice - always experimenting, tweaking and trying new flavor combinations. For the past several years I’ve been making most of my meatloaf recipes with ground turkey - it is lighter, less rich, less heavy. Sometimes I use 2 parts ground turkey and 1 part turkey sausage for a little extra zing.

Here’s a basic meatloaf recipe for classic meatloaf with several ideas for optional additions.  There are also several variations so it’s like getting many quick and easy meatloaf recipes in one.  Experiment and find the best meatloaf recipe for you.

Basic Meatloaf Recipe

• 2 pounds ground beef or turkey
• 1 small onion, minced
• 2 cups fresh bread crumbs (or 1 cup dried bread crumbs or rolled oats)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard or 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
• 1/4 cup ketchup (and a little extra for spreading on top if you like)
• 1/2 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. In a large bowl combine all ingredients then transfer to a greased loaf pan or make a free form loaf and bake it on a foil lined cookie sheet for one hour. 

Optional Additions for the Basic Meatloaf Recipe:

Customize your meatloaf by adding any of the following ingredients:

• 1/2 cup drained corn kernals
• 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped roasted red pepper
• 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
• 1/2 cup grated carrot
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
• Brush top with a generous coating of ketchup or tomato sauce 

Delicious Variations of the Basic Meatloaf Recipe

Applesauce Meatloaf Recipe:  Substitute 3/4 cup applesauce for the ketchup and milk; omit the worcestershire sauce.

Bacon Topped Meatloaf Recipe:  Cover basic meatloaf with four strips of uncooked bacon or turkey bacon before baking.  

Barbecue Meatloaf Recipe: Substitute 1/4 cup barbecue sauce for the ketchup and add 1/2 cup minced green bell pepper. Top with BBQ sauce instead of ketchup. If you happen to have smoked paprika add 1/2 teaspoon for additional depth and spiciness.

Italian Meatloaf Recipe: Omit the worcestershire and mustard. Substitute 3/4 cup marinara or tomato sauce for the ketchup and milk add 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese and 1 tablespoon dried basil or italian seasoning.

Knorr Vegetable Soup Meatloaf Recipe: Omit salt, worcestershire sauce and mustard, replace milk with 1/2 cup salsa and add 1 package dried Knorr vegetable soup mix.

Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf Recipe:  Omit the onion, garlic powder, salt, pepper, worcestershire and mustard. Add one package of dried onion soup mix.

Mushroom Onion Meatloaf Recipe:  Omit everything except beef or turkey.  Add 1 package dry onion soup and 3/4 can cream of mushroom soup.  Top with remaining mushroom soup before baking if desired.

Southwestern Meatloaf Recipe: Substitute 3/4 cup salsa for the ketchup and milk and add 2 teaspoons dried cumin.

Teriyaki Meatloaf Recipe: Add 1/2 cup chopped water chestnuts, 1/2 cup chopped scallions, and replace the worcestershire sauce with 2 tablespoons soy sauce.

Very Quick and Easy Meatloaf Recipe:  Omit everything except beef or turkey.  Add 1 can evaporated milk and 2 envelopes dry onion soup mix.

Nourishing Note:  You can make these quick and easy meatloaf recipes even quicker by turning them into individual meat loaves  Place the meatloaf mix into individual muffin tins instead of the loaf pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 400 F.  You’ll have dinner on the table in half the time.

If you have other ideas and variations for quick and easy meatloaf recipes, I’d love to hear about them.