6 Meatloaf Recipes Your Family Will Love

There's a comforting meatloaf here for every occasion.

By
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht turned her home baking into a career in 2016 when she began working as the head baker at The Greenbean Coffeehouse in Seattle, WA. Afterwards, she started Baking with Rachel (her blog), began teaching kids' cooking classes, and recipe tested for the cookbook "Let's Stay In" by Ashley Rodriguez.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated November 10, 2024
Rachel Knecht
a platter of sliced meatloaf on a table

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Meatloaf is a divisive comfort food compared to chicken noodle soup and mac and cheese. You either love it or hate it. If you’re reading this article, I’m going to assume you’re in the “love it” category. I couldn’t agree more.

The market next to our house sells a meatloaf sandwich and it always reminds me of my dad. He would take a meatloaf sandwich to work with the leftovers from dinner. Honestly, I’m surprised that there were leftovers to take; I sure don’t have any when I make it for my family.

Meatloaf is an easy dinner to make but here are a couple of tips to ensure success. If you're adding vegetables to the loaf, make sure to dice them (the food processor is perfect for this job). Large pieces make it hard for the loaf to stay together. Also, I use an instant read thermometer to take the guesswork out of cooking it. An overcooked meatloaf can become dry and crumbly.

Traditional meatloaf is made with ground beef (or a blend of ground beef, pork, and veal) but you can use any type of ground meat to make a flavorful loaf. For the adventurous, below you'll find recipes using lamb and plant-based meat products. Which one will you make first?

  • My Dad's Favorite Meatloaf

    Classic Meatloaf
    Elizabeth Stark, Elise Bauer, and Sheryl Julian

    Our most popular meatloaf on the site! Take dad’s word for it and use beef along with Italian sausage in your meatloaf.

  • Vegetarian Meatloaf

    Vegetarian Meatloaf on a Plate with Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans

    Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

    You don’t have to be vegetarian to enjoy this plant-based meatloaf. Vegetarian ground beef, sauteed vegetables, and a ketchup glaze will bring you right back to mom’s kitchen.

  • Cuban Pulpeta

    Pulpeta (Cuban Meatloaf)

    Simply Recipes / Marisel Salazar

    Pulpeta is a fried Cuban meatloaf that author Marisel Salazar eats around the holidays. “Rather than being baked and glazed like most meatloaves, it is fried on the stove top, then simmered in a sofrito to finish. Slice into the loaf and the cross-section of a hard boiled egg is revealed, a sort of culinary unboxing.”

  • Easy Meatloaf

    Easy Meatloaf With Some of It Cut Into Slices on a Platter and Sitting on a Sage Table Napkin Next to a Small Bowl With Sliced Parsley

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    This is a one bowl meatloaf; no chopping, sauteing, or extra dishes required. Plus, you can keep your hands clean by combining the ingredients with a mixer.

    Continue to 5 of 6 below

  • Greek Meatloaf with Spinach and Feta

    Greek Meatloaf with Spinach and Feta
    Sally Vargas

    Throw out the rule book and make meatloaf stuffed with cubes of feta and garlicky wilted spinach. Once it's out of the oven, make sure to let the meatloaf rest for 15 minutes for the cleanest slices.

  • Spiced Lamb Meatloaf

    Spiced Lamb Meatloaf
    Elise Bauer

    I can’t get enough of the warm Moroccan spices in this ground lamb and beef meatloaf. Serve with couscous and a carrot salad.

Explore More: