Pioneer Woman Recipe for Meatloaf: A Classic Comfort Food Guide

Meatloaf is the quintessential comfort food, a dish that evokes feelings of home and warmth with every bite. For many home cooks, finding the perfect meatloaf recipe is a culinary quest. Look no further than the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, whose version has garnered rave reviews for its ease of preparation and incredible flavor. This Pioneer Woman meatloaf recipe isn’t just simple; it’s elevated with a few key techniques, including a bacon blanket and a tangy homemade sauce, promising a family favorite that’s sure to impress.

Meatloaf over mashed potatoes with a homemade ketchup sauce drizzled on top

What Makes Pioneer Woman Meatloaf Special?

Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman, is celebrated for her approachable and delicious recipes, and her meatloaf is no exception. What sets this recipe apart?

Bacon Wrapped Goodness: The entire meatloaf is enveloped in bacon, which not only adds a smoky, savory depth but also keeps the meatloaf incredibly moist as it cooks. The bacon fat renders down, basting the loaf in flavor.
Simple Homemade Sauce: Forget bland ketchup toppings. This recipe features a simple yet flavorful homemade sauce made with ketchup, brown sugar, dry mustard, and a dash of Tabasco for a touch of zing. This glaze caramelizes beautifully during baking, adding a sweet and tangy counterpoint to the rich meatloaf.
Easy to Follow: Even novice cooks can master this recipe. The instructions are straightforward, and the ingredient list is comprised of pantry staples.
Freezer-Friendly: Make-ahead meals are a lifesaver, and this meatloaf freezes exceptionally well, making it perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Pioneer Woman Meatloaf

Before you start, gather these simple ingredients. The beauty of this recipe lies in its accessibility:

For the Meatloaf:

1 cup Whole Milk: Milk soaks the bread and adds moisture to the meatloaf.
6 slices White Bread: Soft white bread acts as a binder and keeps the meatloaf tender.
2 pounds Ground Beef (80% lean): 80% lean ground beef provides the right balance of flavor and moisture.
1 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated: Parmesan adds a salty, umami richness.
1/4 teaspoon Seasoned Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile.
3/4 teaspoons Salt: Balances the flavors.
Freshly Ground Black Pepper: To taste, for a touch of spice.
1/3 cup fresh Parsley, minced: Adds freshness and a pop of color.
4 large Eggs, Beaten: Eggs bind the ingredients together.
12 slices Thin-cut Bacon: The star of the show, for wrapping the meatloaf.

For the Sauce:

1 ½ cups Ketchup: The base of the tangy-sweet sauce.
1/3 cup Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the sauce caramelize.
1 teaspoon Dry Mustard: Provides a subtle tang and depth.
1 dash Tabasco sauce: Just a touch for a little kick (optional but recommended).

Step-by-Step Recipe for Pioneer Woman Meatloaf

Now, let’s get cooking! Follow these easy steps to create your own delicious Pioneer Woman meatloaf:

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even cooking throughout.
Soak the Bread: In a large bowl, place the slices of white bread and pour the whole milk over them. Let the bread soak for about 5 minutes, allowing it to soften completely.
Combine Meatloaf Ingredients: To the bowl with the soaked bread, add the ground beef, grated Parmesan cheese, seasoned salt, salt, freshly ground black pepper, minced fresh parsley, and beaten eggs.
Mix Gently: Use your hands to gently combine all the meatloaf ingredients. Ensure the soaked bread is well incorporated, but be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can result in a tougher meatloaf.
Shape the Loaf: Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape, approximately 5 inches wide.
Prepare Broiler Pan: Place the meatloaf on a broiler pan. A broiler pan allows excess grease to drain away, preventing a soggy bottom. Lining the bottom of the broiler pan with foil makes cleanup easier.
Wrap with Bacon: Lay the bacon slices over the top of the meatloaf, carefully tucking the ends underneath the bottom of the loaf to secure them. Arrange the bacon so that slices are touching but not overlapping for easy slicing later.
Make the Sauce: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, dry mustard, and Tabasco sauce until well combined.
Glaze the Meatloaf: Brush about 1/3 of the prepared sauce evenly over the bacon-wrapped meatloaf.
Bake: Place the meatloaf on the middle rack of the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes.
Add Second Glaze: Remove the meatloaf from the oven and brush another 1/3 of the sauce over it. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes.
Rest and Serve: Once cooked, remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Resting allows the 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) in the center.
Serve with Remaining Sauce: Slice the meatloaf and serve immediately with the remaining sauce for drizzling.

Meatloaf sliced on a wooden cutting board with fresh parsley sprinkled on top and homemade ketchup sauce in background

Tips for Perfect Pioneer Woman Meatloaf

To ensure your Pioneer Woman meatloaf is a resounding success, consider these helpful tips:

Choosing the Right Meat: 80% lean ground beef is ideal for meatloaf. It has enough fat to keep the meatloaf moist and flavorful without being greasy. You can also use a combination of ground beef, pork, and veal (equal parts) for a more complex flavor and tender texture. Many grocery stores sell meatloaf mixes specifically for this purpose.
Bread Matters: Soft white sandwich bread is the traditional and preferred choice for meatloaf. It blends seamlessly into the meat mixture, creating a uniform texture. While crusty artisan bread can be used, it may result in a coarser texture.
Don’t Overmix: Gentle mixing is key. Overmixing ground beef makes it tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
Make-Ahead Magic: Meatloaf is an excellent make-ahead dish. You can assemble the loaf, wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator overnight to bake the next day.
Freezing for Future Meals: Cooked meatloaf freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, wrap it in foil, and then place it in a freezer bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, bake it (still wrapped in foil) at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 20-30 minutes. You can also defrost it overnight in the refrigerator and microwave individual slices.
Broiler Pan Alternatives: A broiler pan is ideal for meatloaf, allowing fat to drain. If you don’t have one:
- Cookie Sheet Only: Place the meatloaf directly on a cookie sheet. You’ll need to carefully drain excess liquid during cooking.
- Cooling Rack on Roasting Pan: Place a cooling rack on a roasting pan and line the rack with foil, poking holes in the foil for drainage. Be aware that bacon under the meatloaf may not crisp as well with this method.
Bacon Optional: While bacon elevates this recipe, you can omit it if preferred. Reduce the second bake time to 15-20 minutes if baking without bacon.

What to Serve with Meatloaf

Pioneer Woman meatloaf is a versatile main course that pairs wonderfully with a variety of classic side dishes. Consider serving it with:

Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a must-have side for meatloaf, perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce.
Roasted Green Beans: A simple and healthy side that complements the richness of the meatloaf.
Mac and Cheese: For ultimate comfort food indulgence.
Corn on the Cob: A summery side that adds sweetness.
Side Salad: A fresh green salad provides a light counterpoint to the hearty meatloaf.

Try These Next!

If you love comfort food classics like meatloaf, you might also enjoy these other delicious recipes:

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Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce: Bring the restaurant favorite to your home kitchen with this creamy and flavorful Alfredo sauce recipe.

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Chicken Spaghetti: A cheesy and comforting casserole that’s perfect for a family dinner.

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Skillet Lasagna: Enjoy all the flavors of lasagna in a fraction of the time with this easy skillet version.

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Sausage Tortellini Soup: A warm and satisfying soup packed with Italian sausage, cheese tortellini, and kale.

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Cube Steak and Gravy: Tender cube steak smothered in rich brown gravy, served over mashed potatoes.

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Bobby Flay’s Meatball Recipe: Learn to make flavorful and tender meatballs with this recipe inspired by Bobby Flay.

Pioneer Woman Meatloaf Recipe

**Prep Time:** 20 minutes
**Cook Time:** 1 hour 10 minutes
**Total Time:** 1 hour 30 minutes

**Servings:** 8

**Ingredients:**

**Meatloaf:**
- 1 cup Whole Milk
- 6 slices White Bread
- 2 pounds Ground Beef, 80% lean
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
- 1/4 teaspoon Seasoned Salt
- 3/4 teaspoons Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste
- 1/3 cup fresh Parsley, minced
- 4 large Eggs, Beaten
- 12 slices Thin cut Bacon

**Sauce:**
- 1 ½ cups Ketchup
- 1/3 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Dry Mustard
- 1 dash Tabasco sauce

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, pour milk over bread and let soak for 5 minutes.
3. Add ground beef, Parmesan cheese, seasoned salt, salt, pepper, parsley, and eggs to the bowl with the bread mixture. Gently combine with your hands until just mixed. Do not overmix.
4. Form the meat mixture into a loaf and place on a broiler pan.
5. Lay bacon slices over the top of the loaf, tucking ends underneath.
6. In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, dry mustard, and Tabasco sauce.
7. Brush 1/3 of the sauce over the meatloaf.
8. Bake for 45 minutes. Brush with another 1/3 of the sauce and bake for another 25 minutes.
9. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with remaining sauce. Ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).

**Notes:**
- **Make-Ahead:** Assemble meatloaf ahead, wrap, and refrigerate overnight or freeze.
- **Freezing Cooked Meatloaf:** Cool, wrap in foil, freeze up to 3 months. Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 mins.

**Nutrition (per serving):**
Calories: 628kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 33g, Fat: 42g, Saturated Fat: 16g, Cholesterol: 195mg, Sodium: 1065mg, Potassium: 548mg, Sugar: 14g, Vitamin A: 565IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 279mg, Iron: 3.8mg

Enjoy this classic Pioneer Woman meatloaf recipe! It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a comforting meal for any occasion.