Meatloaf With Sausage

By
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
An internationally recognized culinary authority, Kristina Vanni is well-known for her recipe development, food photography, and experience as a TV show host.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 02/25/21
Tested by
Danielle Centoni
Danielle Centoni
Tested by Danielle Centoni
Danielle is a James Beard Award-winning food writer and editor based in Portland, Oregon. She has authored five cookbooks and contributed recipe testing to six additional cookbooks. Danielle has worked as a staff editor and writer for the Oakland Tribune and Eater Portland, among others. Danielle has been writing for The Spruce Eats since December 2018. 
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Meatloaf with Sausage

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni
Prep: 12 mins
Cook: 68 mins
Rest Time: 25 mins
Total: 105 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Yield: 1 meatloaf (8 slices)
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
513 Calories
28g Fat
30g Carbs
34g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 513
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 28g 36%
Saturated Fat 11g 56%
Cholesterol 169mg 56%
Sodium 1396mg 61%
Total Carbohydrate 30g 11%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 13g
Protein 34g
Vitamin C 7mg 36%
Calcium 106mg 8%
Iron 5mg 26%
Potassium 686mg 15%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

When you want to give classic meatloaf a flavorful twist, simply swap some of the ground beef for sausage. Any variety of bulk Italian sausage works well, either sweet or hot. A bit of fresh garlic and Italian seasoning also make this twist on meatloaf unique and delicious.

Serve meatloaf with sausage with mashed or baked potatoes and a green veggie like green beans or asparagus. Leftovers taste great, too.

"A hefty helping of spicy Italian sausage adds great flavor to this fairly traditional meatloaf. Sauteed onions, carrots, celery, and garlic also contributed great flavor and moisture, while a topping of ketchup and brown sugar added a bright, piquant flavor and sweetness, which was a great foil to the rich meat." —Danielle Centoni

Meatloaf With Sausage Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter

  • 1 cup finely chopped onion

  • 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot

  • 1/3 cup finely chopped celery

  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic

  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

  • 2 teaspoons salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck

  • 1/2 pound Italian sausage (hot or sweet)

  • 1 1/4 cups fresh breadcrumbs

  • 3 eggs

  • 1 cup ketchup, divided

  • 1/3 cup fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley, chopped

  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

    Meatloaf with Sausage

    Kristina Vanni

  2. Melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the chopped onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

    Meatloaf with Sausage

    Kristina Vanni

  3. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Set aside for about 10 minutes or until cool enough to handle.

    Meatloaf with Sausage

    Kristina Vanni

  4. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, cooled vegetables, eggs, 1/2 cup of the ketchup, fresh parsley, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Use your hands to mix together until everything is evenly distributed. Do not overwork.

    Meatloaf with Sausage

    Kristina Vanni

  5. Press evenly into a 9x5-inch loaf pan.

    Meatloaf with Sausage

    Kristina Vanni

  6. In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of ketchup with the brown sugar.

    Meatloaf with Sausage

    Kristina Vanni

  7. Spread about 2/3 of this glaze over the top of the meatloaf, spreading it all the way to the edges. Bake for 30 minutes.

    Meatloaf with Sausage

    Kristina Vanni

  8. Remove from the oven and spread the remaining glaze over the top of the meatloaf. Bake for another 25-35 minutes, until an instant read thermometer inserted in the center registers 160 degrees. 

    Meatloaf with Sausage

    Kristina Vanni

  9. Remove from the oven and let the meatloaf rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

    Meatloaf with Sausage

    Kristina Vanni

Tips

  • When making meatloaf, do not overmix or overwork the meat, otherwise the final product can become tough and dry.
  • Meatloaves can be baked in a loaf pan or on a rimmed baking sheet covered with foil. Ones prepared in a loaf pan have a uniform shape and look beautiful when sliced. However, you might need to drain off excess grease that may accumulate while the meat is cooking. Freeform meatloaves are shaped by hand and cooked on a baking sheet. This option allows the grease to flow from the meat while it is cooking.
  • It is possible to make your own DIY meatloaf pan. Buy an inexpensive loaf pan (metal or foil) and use a sharp tool to punch several holes in the bottom (about 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart). Take the meatloaf in the pan with holes and place it in a baking pan. This way, excess fat will drain into the outer pan.
  • Leftover meatloaf will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days.

Recipe Variations

  • Sweet Italian or spicy Italian sausage work well for this recipe.
  • Use a lean—about 85/15—ground beef in the recipe. If you'd like to use all ground beef in the meatloaf (and exclude the sausage), an 80/20 ratio is best.

Do You Have To Put Eggs in Meatloaf?

Eggs act as a binder and help meatloaf to keep its shape. You can leave eggs out and still make meatloaf, however, it likely won't slice in neat slices and will fall apart. If you don't eat eggs, you can try using a substitute.

What Can I Use To Hold My Meatloaf Together?

Eggs help bind together meatloaf, as do fillers like breadcrumbs, oatmeal, and cracker crumbs. Without these ingredients, the meatloaf would not be sliceable or hold together when removed from the pan.

Should You Cover Meatloaf With Foil When Baking?

Most meatloaf recipes call for the loaf to be baked covered for part of the time and then for the foil to be removed for the end of the baking time. This helps the meatloaf cook through and stay moist while still developing a nice crust on top.