Say what you may about meatloaf, but it truly is an easy and filling dish. But what if I told you that it could be easier? Usually, meatloaf takes some early prep, due to the amount of time it takes to cook. However, My Easy Meatloaf Recipe can have dinner on the table from start to finish in 30 minutes!

Easy Meatloaf Recipe

It doesn’t get much better than comfort food on a busy evening, does it?

When it comes to comfort food, you may roll your eyes, but meatloaf is definitely on the list.

Whether it’s made with ground beef or ground turkey, ketchup or Worcestershire sauce, everyone has their own version, often passed down for generations. 

Meatloaf is a hearty, dense dish made from meat, veggies, and usually a binding filler such as breadcrumbs or oats.

The combination of ingredients is completely up to you! Create a meatloaf that your whole family will enjoy, based on everyone’s likes and dislikes.

One of the reasons people shy away from making meatloaf is the amount of time it takes to cook.

But what if I said there was a version of meatloaf that can be on the table in 30 minutes? Yes, you read that right. 

Instead of using a large loaf pan, which is the reason for the long cook time, try using muffin pans or miniature loaf pans.

Not only will you cut the cooking time in half, but you’ll also be able to make individual portions that are easy to serve, and let’s face it, pretty cute.

Ingredients for Easy Meatloaf Recipe 

• Meat: You’ll want some meat with fat in it, but not an overabundance of fat. This helps maintain some moisture to keep your meatloaf juicy, but not swimming in grease. Any ground meat will do, but keep in mind, beef will have a bit more flavor than, say, ground turkey, so be sure to season well if you venture away from beef.
• Filler: Most meatloaf recipes include a filler or binding agent. Whether it’s to make sure your meatloaf stretches or for texture, fillers really do contribute to making a meatloaf taste great and stay in one piece. Traditional filler ideas include breadcrumbs or oats, but to keep this dish lower carb I ofter use ground pork rinds. You can use your imagination and use whatever you have on hand. Just make sure you follow the recipe and don’t skimp on the binding ingredients, otherwise, your meatloaf will fall apart.
• Meatloaf Seasoning: Without seasoning, meatloaf would probably come across a little bland. Just like hamburgers taste better with proper seasoning, meatloaf needs a little pick-me-up, too!

Garlic and onion are always a good jumping-off point. From there, any seasonings will do. You may have special beef seasonings that you use for grilling that could contribute some tasty flavors, or you can use the spices you have on-hand.

After picking spices, decide if you’d like barbecue sauce, ketchup and/or Worcestershire sauce include in the mixture and to top it off halfway through cooking.

Personally, I love bottled Stubbs barbecue sauce for that added kick and the brand G Hughes sugar free sauce when I want to lower my carbohydrates.

How to Make Meatloaf 

If you want a meal to get your kids involved in making, meatloaf should be your jam.

You practically toss all the ingredients together, mix it up (using your hands, which is why kids love it!) but only until combined or your loaf will be too dense.

Then press the meat mixture directly into the muffin tins or mini loaf pans.

Definitely some kid-friendly prep!

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Sides to Serve and Variations to Try

Side dishes for meatloaf are pretty simple. Mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower are always a hit, truly hitting all the comfort food columns, and a vegetable will round out your food groups.

Your vegetable options are abundant, but some tasty options include roasted asparagus or Brussel sprouts, green beans, or even a light salad.

If you need to switch it up a little, you can put a side dish directly in your meatloaf! Try adding a layer of filling in the middle.

Some favorites include leftover potatoes or even macaroni and cheese. You can take comfort food to a whole new level!

To add a layer of filling, just put the meat mixture in the bottom 1/3 of the muffin tin, add your filler, then top with more meat! Super simple, plus it adds a special surprise to your meatloaf that is sure to make it a hit.

How Long Do You Bake Meatloaf?

The next time you want to make meatloaf, you may be wondering how long to bake it.

Well, my recipe will have your meatloaf on the table after 20 minutes. It’s quite amazing how you can make meatloaf so quickly with the right recipe! 

Check out my “mock” mashed potato recipe with cauliflower! It’s a delicious new family favorite!  Using Cauliflower instead of potatoes!!

This post was first published June, 2013. I have since updated photos and added new content June, 2020.

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