Of the many meatloaf recipes out there, is there a single best one?
Simply put, there are alotof really great meatloaf recipes in the world.
Some are dead simple, while some are labors of love that take all day.
Alex Lau viaBon Appétit
Some are exceedingly traditional; others are a little more adventurous.
But all winning meatloaf recipes have one important thing in common: technique, baby.
Consider this Meatloaf 101.
Is ground beef the best meat for meatloaf?
First and foremost: Yes, ground beef is definitely your pick for a traditional meatloaf recipe.
But if your heart is set on using another kind of meat, like turkey, go for it!
(We cant imagine thatnottasting good.)
Supplementing your ground beef with vegetables (gasp!)
is another novel option, especially if youre looking to make a meatloaf with, well, alittleless meat.
What is the best filler for meatloaf?
No need to get fancy here: Plain old bread crumbs work extremely well.
Bread crumbs are the best filler for meatloaf, Salazar says.
Dont have any bread crumbs on hand?
Make your own by blitzing stale bread in thefood processor.
Should I put an egg in my meatloaf?
Yes,eggsare a must for a mouthwatering meatloaf that also holds its shape.
Eggs help make every bite taste good.
But more important, they act as a glue to help hold the whole loaf together.
How do you keep meatloaf moist when cooking?
Using moisture-retaining ingredients and cooking your meatloaf at the right temperature will keep your meatloaf from drying out.
Also, resist the urge to crank up the oven too much.
The ideal meatloaf temp is between 350F and 375F, say Salazar and Hill.
For turkey or chicken, you want 165F.)
Do you cook meatloaf covered or uncovered?
All of our kitchen pros say uncovered is the way to go.
Covering meatloaf while baking prevents the formation of that all-important crusty and caramelized top.
The tomatoey meatloaf sauce (and chopped scallion topping) are more savory than the usual ketchup too.
Cheesy Italian MeatloaffromKims Cravings
The only thing better than meatloaf is stuffed meatloaf.
Cheddar Stuffed Sweet Potato BBQ Turkey MeatloaffromAmbitious Kitchen
The lengthy name kinda says it all, right?
Its creamy, tart, and totally refreshing.
