27 Best Meatloaf Recipes and Prep Tips

meatloaf on a bed of greens — Diana Rattray

Meatloaf has long been a popular American dish, and many consider it a comfort food. The meatloaf is versatile as well. Change your everyday meatloaf up with different seasoning or herb blends or use a combination of meats. And it's easy to sneak veggies into a meatloaf mixture. Grate carrots finely and throw them into the meat mixture; they add both nutrients and slightly sweet flavor to the loaf.

Toppings can refresh a plain meatloaf as well. Finish it with a layer of ketchup, chili sauce, or gravy. Or choose seasoned diced tomatoes, pizza sauce, or a marinara sauce.

Are you looking for a fresh take on your basic meatloaf? Add some of these meatloaf recipes to your list.

01 of 27

Cajun-Style Meatloaf

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

This meatloaf features loads of flavor and chopped vegetables. The "holy trinity" of Cajun and Creole cooking—celery, onions, and bell peppers—along with Cajun seasoning give it that Louisiana flavor.
02 of 27

Simple Meatloaf With Optional Topping

The Spruce

Use the topping mixture included in the recipe or use plain ketchup to top off this tasty meatloaf or serve it plain with ketchup on the side. This simple meatloaf is made with ground beef, breadcrumbs, dried onion, and seasonings. This makes a large loaf, enough for a family of 6.
03 of 27

Bacon-Wrapped Meat Loaf

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

This delicious bacon-wrapped meatloaf is enhanced with grated natural Parmesan cheese, Cajun spices, and a tasty barbecue sauce glaze. Finely chopped onions and bell pepper are added to give the meatloaf extra color and flavor.
04 of 27

Grilled Meatloaf

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

This flavorful meatloaf is easy to prepare and cook on the grill, so you get a tasty meatloaf and don't have to heat up the house. Whether you use a gas or charcoal grill, try to keep the grill temperature steady at a medium heat of 350 F if your grill has a thermostat. Use a heavy-duty disposable aluminum pan or a double thickness of heavy-duty foil.

Continue to 5 of 27 below.
05 of 27

Meatloaf Muffins

The Spruce

Meatloaf muffins are easy to make with a basic meatloaf mixture along with ketchup for flavor and topping. The recipe makes a dozen meatloaf muffins. The kids—and your inner child—will love them!
06 of 27

Meatloaf With Gravy

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

A simple purchased brown gravy or gravy made from a mix transforms this everyday meatloaf. The meatloaf makes a wonderful and comforting meal with mashed potatoes and a side vegetable. Use brown gravy, mushroom gravy, or onion gravy.
07 of 27

Tex-Mex Meatloaf

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

This Tex-Mex meatloaf's flavor, texture, and heat come from the cilantro, chili powder, and jalapeño peppers. Top the meatloaf with extra ketchup, taco sauce, Picante sauce, or enchilada sauce. Serve this nicely-seasoned meatloaf with Mexican style rice or mashed potatoes for a satisfying family meal.
08 of 27

Green Chile Meatloaf

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Mild green chile peppers flavor this tasty meatloaf, along with some cilantro and chile-seasoned diced tomatoes. Top this meatloaf with cheddar or pepper jack cheese slices.

Continue to 9 of 27 below.
09 of 27

Classic Heinz 57 Meatloaf

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

This vintage meatloaf recipe includes Heinz 57 sauce for flavor along with seasoned breadcrumbs, some chopped onion, and an egg.
10 of 27

Instant Pot Meatloaf

Diana Rattray

If you need to cut a bit of the cooking time on your meatloaf, the instant pot is your friend. This meatloaf is full of flavor, combining ground beef with minced vegetables, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Once the meatloaf is cooked, it is topped with a rich glaze including Dijon mustard and brown sugar.
11 of 27

Southwestern-Style Meat Loaf

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

This Southwestern-style meatloaf is loaded with flavor and texture, with ingredients like corn, ripe olives, and salsa. Use all ground beef or a combination of ground beef and pork or veal.
12 of 27

Savory Meatloaf With Oatmeal

The Spruce

Ground beef, oats, garlic, and onions make up the mixture used in this classic meatloaf. The ketchup topping is fabulous, but feel free to use chili sauce or barbecue sauce on the loaf.

Continue to 13 of 27 below.
13 of 27

Mom's Basic Meatloaf

The Spruce

This basic, great tasting meatloaf is an uncomplicated mixture of lean ground beef, cracker crumbs, ketchup, and seasonings. Basic doesn't have to mean bland!
14 of 27

Cheddar Meatloaf With Tangy Sauce

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Cheddar cheese and a combination of ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and chili powder give this meatloaf fabulous flavor.
15 of 27

Keto Meatloaf

The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

Most meatloaf recipes include bread or breadcrumbs to bind them together, but this keto meatloaf is gluten-free and grain-free. It's also ultra-meaty, with chorizo and bacon adding lots of flavor.
16 of 27

Quick and Easy French Onion Meatloaf

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Condensed French onion soup makes the onion flavor stand out in this moist meatloaf. Top it with ketchup or barbecue sauce, or leave it plain. Leftovers make great sandwiches.

Continue to 17 of 27 below.
17 of 27

Onion Soup Meatloaf

The Spruce

This meatloaf is an old-fashioned favorite. Dry onion soup mix and ketchup flavor the loaf. The recipe is made with only 6 ingredients.
18 of 27

Grandma's Meat Loaf

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

This meatloaf is another old-fashioned favorite, with ground beef, chili sauce or ketchup, oats, and seasonings. If you use all ground beef, a ratio of 85/15 is a good choice for a juicy meatloaf.
19 of 27

Meatloaf With Black Beans

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

This delicious meatloaf is made with the addition of black beans and optional cilantro, along with cumin and chili powder for flavor. Use shredded Mexican cheese or pepper jack cheese in the loaf, and top it off with salsa, if you like.
20 of 27

Parmesan Meat Loaf

The Spruce

Parmesan cheese and a dried Italian herbs season this Italian-style savory meatloaf. The meatloaf is topped with tomato sauce and extra Parmesan cheese.

Continue to 21 of 27 below.
21 of 27

Meat Loaf With Mushroom Gravy

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

This flavorful, savory meatloaf is served with homemade beefy mushroom gravy. Serve this excellent meatloaf with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables for a fabulous family dinner. If you're short on time, use a mushroom gravy mix.
22 of 27

Country Meatloaf

DebbiSmirnoff / Getty Images

This classic everyday meatloaf is made with lean ground beef or ground round. Vegetable additions include sauteed sliced mushrooms, onion, celery, and shredded carrots.
23 of 27

Home Style Meatloaf

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

This flavorful meatloaf recipe is made with lean ground beef, chopped onion, oats, tomato juice, ketchup or barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and egg white.
24 of 27

Turkey Meatloaf With Cranberry Glaze

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

This turkey meatloaf includes some ground pork, but you could also use part ground turkey thighs to keep it juicy. The meatloaf is topped with a tangy, delicious cranberry glaze.

Continue to 25 of 27 below.
25 of 27

Moist Applesauce Meatloaf

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

The secret ingredient in this meatloaf is applesauce! It adds a bit of natural sweetness and makes for a moister loaf.
26 of 27

Old-Fashioned Homemade Meatloaf

The Spruce

This excellent meatloaf features saltines and chopped onion and bell pepper. Paprika, garlic powder, and some thyme team up to season the loaf.
27 of 27

Good-For-You Meatloaf With Veggies

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Even the pickiest kids will eat their veggies with this meatloaf! Potatoes, carrots, onions, and peppers are among the vegetables in this nutritious meatloaf.