The Pioneer Woman Meatloaf Recipe: A Flavor-Packed Family Favorite

The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, has won hearts with her approachable style and delicious recipes, and her meatloaf recipe is no exception. This dish is a comforting classic, perfect for family dinners and cozy nights in. This guide dives deep into what makes the Pioneer Woman’s meatloaf so special, offering tips and tricks to ensure your version is just as mouthwatering and memorable.

Close-up of Pioneer Woman Meatloaf served over mashed potatoes, drizzled with ketchup sauce

Ree Drummond’s meatloaf recipe distinguishes itself with its incredible flavor and ease of preparation. Imagine a meatloaf enveloped in crispy bacon, its juices seeping into the meat, creating a symphony of taste and texture. This isn’t just any meatloaf; it’s a Pioneer Woman creation, promising a delightful experience for everyone at the table.

Choosing the Right Meat for Your Meatloaf

Selecting the right meat is crucial for achieving a tender and flavorful meatloaf. Here’s what you need to know:

80/20 Ground Beef: This is the sweet spot for meatloaf. The 80% lean ground beef provides enough fat to keep the meatloaf moist and flavorful without being greasy. Leaner options tend to result in a drier end product.
Meatloaf Mix (Beef, Pork, Veal): For an even more tender and richer flavor, consider using a combination of ground beef, pork, and veal. Using 1/3 pound of each creates a well-balanced and delicious meatloaf. Many grocery stores offer pre-packaged meatloaf mixes, simplifying your preparation.

PRO TIP: Look for pre-mixed meatloaf blends in your grocery store’s meat section to save time and ensure the perfect meat combination. These mixes are often specifically formulated for meatloaf and meatballs.

The Best Bread for Meatloaf: Softness Matters

The type of bread you use significantly impacts the texture of your meatloaf.

Soft White Sandwich Bread: Ree Drummond’s preference, and for good reason. Soft white bread blends seamlessly into the ground meat mixture, resulting in a uniformly tender and moist meatloaf.
Artisan Bread (Crustless): While less traditional, crustless artisan bread can also be used. Ensure it’s soft and remove the crust for a similar effect to sandwich bread.

Soft bread is key because it absorbs the milk and meat juices, contributing to a moist and cohesive texture. It prevents the meatloaf from becoming dense or crumbly.

Avoiding Overmixing: Gentle Hands are Key

Yes, overmixing ground beef is a real concern when making meatloaf. While you want a uniform consistency, excessive mixing can lead to a tougher, less flavorful meatloaf.

Gentle Mixing: Handle the meat mixture gently. Combine the ingredients just until they are incorporated. Avoid kneading or vigorously mixing the meat.
Uniform Consistency: Aim for a mixture that is just combined, where the bread, meat, and seasonings are evenly distributed.

Overmixing develops the gluten in the meat, resulting in a dense and less tender texture. Gentle handling ensures a light and flavorful meatloaf.

Make-Ahead Magic: Meatloaf Convenience

Meatloaf is an ideal make-ahead dish, perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping.

Assemble Ahead: You can fully prepare and shape your meatloaf in advance. Wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator overnight. Bake as directed the next day.
Freezing for Future Meals: Meatloaf is also freezer-friendly. Assemble the loaf, wrap it well, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking.

Pro Tip: Consider dividing the meatloaf mixture in half before shaping. Freeze one portion for a future meal, offering a convenient and delicious option whenever you need it.

Broiler Pan Alternatives: Simple Solutions

A broiler pan is designed to elevate the meatloaf, allowing grease to drip away and prevent a soggy bottom. If you don’t have one, here are effective substitutes:

Cookie Sheet Only:

Place the meatloaf directly on a cookie sheet. Be aware that you’ll need to drain the accumulated liquid from the pan periodically during baking to prevent the meatloaf from becoming greasy. This method requires careful monitoring.

Cooling Rack on a Roasting Pan:

Set Up: Place a cooling rack on top of a roasting pan.
Foil Lining: Line the cooling rack with aluminum foil to prevent the meatloaf from falling through.
Drainage Holes: Poke several small holes in the foil to allow fat to drip into the roasting pan below.

🛑 Important Note! When using the foil-lined cooling rack method, the bacon on the bottom of the meatloaf might not crisp up as well as it would on a broiler pan. Keep this in mind for texture and cooking.

Bacon or No Bacon? Your Choice!

While bacon elevates the Pioneer Woman’s meatloaf to another level of deliciousness, it’s perfectly fine to omit it if you prefer.

Without Bacon: If you skip the bacon, reduce the second baking time. Instead of 25 minutes, bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through. The meatloaf will still be flavorful, though you’ll miss the crispy bacon exterior and infused flavor.

Slices of bacon-wrapped meatloaf on a cutting board, garnished with parsley and ketchup sauce

Tools You’ll Need

Large Mixing Bowl
Broiler Pan or Roasting Pan with Cooling Rack
Measuring Cups and Spoons
Meat Thermometer
Pastry Brush

What to Serve with Pioneer Woman Meatloaf

Meatloaf is a versatile main course that pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Consider these classic and complementary options:

Mashed Potatoes: A timeless pairing, creamy mashed potatoes complement the savory meatloaf perfectly.
Roasted Green Beans: For a healthy and flavorful side, roasted green beans add color and crunch.
Mac and Cheese: A comforting and crowd-pleasing choice, especially for families.
Glazed Carrots: Sweet and tender glazed carrots offer a delightful contrast to the richness of the meatloaf.
Side Salad: A fresh green salad provides a light and refreshing counterpoint.

More Delicious Dinner Ideas

If you love comforting and flavorful dinners like Pioneer Woman Meatloaf, you might also enjoy these recipes:

Creamy Fettuccine Alfredo in a pan, ready to serve

Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

Plate of Chicken Spaghetti topped with parsley and red pepper flakes

Chicken Spaghetti

Skillet Lasagna with melted cheese and a wooden spoon scooping a serving

Skillet Lasagna

Bowl of Sausage Tortellini Soup with kale and a spoon

Sausage Tortellini Soup

Mashed potatoes topped with cubed steak, gravy, and onions, with green beans on the side

Cube Steak and Gravy

Pot of Italian Meatballs with a wooden spoon

Bobby Flay’s Meatball Recipe

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Pioneer Woman Meatloaf Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8

Rating: 4.9 stars from 46 ratings

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This Pioneer Woman Meatloaf Recipe is truly exceptional! Wrapped in bacon and baked to juicy perfection, it’s freezer-friendly for future meals and pairs wonderfully with roasted green beans and mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

Meatloaf:

1 cup Whole Milk
6 slices White Bread
2 pounds 80% Lean Ground Beef
1 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/4 teaspoon Seasoned Salt
3/4 teaspoons Salt
Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste
1/3 cup Minced Fresh Parsley
4 Large Eggs, Beaten
12 slices Thin-Cut Bacon

Sauce:

1+1/2 cups Ketchup
1/3 cup Brown Sugar
1 teaspoon Dry Mustard
1 dash Tabasco sauce (optional)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Soak Bread: In a large mixing bowl, place the white bread slices and pour milk over them. Let soak for 5 minutes until softened.
Combine Ingredients: Add ground beef, Parmesan cheese, seasoned salt, salt, black pepper, parsley, and beaten eggs to the bowl with the soaked bread.
Mix Gently: Use your hands to gently combine all ingredients until just mixed. Be careful not to overmix.
Shape Loaf: Form the mixture into a loaf about 5 inches wide and place it on a broiler pan. For easy cleanup, line the bottom of the broiler pan with foil.
Wrap with Bacon: Drape bacon slices over the top of the meatloaf, tucking the ends underneath to secure. Arrange bacon slices side by side, not overlapping, for easy slicing later.
Make Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, dry mustard, and Tabasco sauce (if using).
First Sauce Layer: Brush 1/3 of the sauce evenly over the bacon-wrapped meatloaf.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes on the middle rack.
Second Sauce Layer: Remove from oven and brush another 1/3 of the sauce over the meatloaf.
Continue Baking: Return to the oven and bake for another 25 minutes.
Rest: Remove from oven and let meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Resting allows juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful meatloaf. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) before slicing.
Serve: Slice and serve with the remaining sauce. Enjoy with mashed potatoes and roasted green beans!

Recipe Notes

Make-Ahead Instructions: Assemble the meatloaf ahead of time, wrap tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Bake as directed the next day. For freezing, wrap assembled meatloaf and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.

Serving Suggestions: Pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes and roasted green beans. Try serving with a side salad or mac and cheese for a complete meal.

Love meatloaf? Explore more Meatloaf Recipes and try our Mini Meatloaf recipe next!

Nutrition Information

Did you make this recipe? Share your photos on Instagram and tag @TheCozyCook or use hashtag #thecozycook!

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Stephanie
Recipe Source: The Pioneer Woman

Published by Stephanie on October 25, 2018 — 183 Comments »