The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, is beloved for her approachable style and delicious, family-friendly recipes. Among her many culinary hits, the Pioneer Woman Meatloaf stands out as a true comfort food classic. This recipe takes the humble meatloaf to a whole new level, ensuring a flavorful, moist, and utterly satisfying dish that’s perfect for any weeknight dinner or special occasion.
This isn’t just any meatloaf recipe; it’s the meatloaf recipe that will become a staple in your kitchen. Wrapped in crispy bacon and glazed with a tangy homemade sauce, this Pioneer Woman inspired meatloaf is guaranteed to impress even the pickiest eaters. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make and freezes beautifully, making it ideal for meal prepping and busy families.
Close-up shot of Pioneer Woman Meatloaf, showcasing the bacon wrap and sauce
Why This Pioneer Woman Meatloaf Recipe Works
What makes this Pioneer Woman Meatloaf recipe so exceptional? It’s a combination of factors that elevate it from ordinary to extraordinary:
- Flavorful Meat Mixture: Using 80% lean ground beef ensures a rich, beefy flavor without being overly greasy. The addition of Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley adds depth and freshness that perfectly complements the meat.
- Moisture Infusion: Soaking white bread in milk creates a panade, a classic technique that adds moisture and tenderness to the meatloaf, preventing it from drying out during baking.
- Bacon Blanket: Wrapping the meatloaf in bacon isn’t just for show; as the bacon cooks, its fat renders and bastes the meatloaf, infusing it with smoky, savory flavor and keeping it incredibly moist.
- Homemade Sauce: The simple yet flavorful ketchup-based sauce, with brown sugar and dry mustard, provides the perfect tangy-sweet glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven.
- Make-Ahead and Freezer-Friendly: This recipe is a lifesaver for busy weeknights. You can assemble the meatloaf ahead of time and bake it later, or even freeze it for future meals.
Choosing the Right Meat for Your Pioneer Woman Meatloaf
The foundation of any great meatloaf is, of course, the meat. For the best Pioneer Woman Meatloaf, consider these options:
- 80% Lean Ground Beef: This is the recommended choice for its ideal balance of flavor and fat content. Leaner beef can result in a drier meatloaf.
- Meatloaf Mix: For an even more flavorful and tender meatloaf, consider using a meatloaf mix, often found in grocery stores. This typically combines ground beef, pork, and veal. The combination of meats creates a richer, more complex flavor profile.
Pro Tip: If using a meatloaf mix, ensure the proportions are similar to the recipe’s ground beef quantity to maintain the intended texture and cooking time.
The Best Bread for a Tender Meatloaf
The type of bread you use plays a crucial role in the texture of your meatloaf. For this Pioneer Woman Meatloaf recipe, soft white sandwich bread is highly recommended.
- White Sandwich Bread: Its soft texture readily absorbs the milk, creating a smooth panade that blends seamlessly into the meat mixture, resulting in a uniform and tender meatloaf.
- Artisan Bread (with adjustments): While softer bread is preferred, you can use crustier artisan bread if that’s what you have on hand. However, be sure to remove the crust and potentially soak it slightly longer in milk to ensure it softens adequately.
Mastering the Mix: Avoiding Overmixing
When making meatloaf, gentle handling of the meat mixture is key. Overmixing ground beef can lead to a tougher, less desirable texture.
- Mix Just Until Combined: Combine the meatloaf ingredients using your hands, mixing until everything is just evenly incorporated. Avoid prolonged or vigorous mixing.
- Gentle Approach: Treat the meat mixture with a light touch. The goal is to distribute the ingredients, not to compact the meat.
Slices of Pioneer Woman Meatloaf on a cutting board, drizzled with homemade ketchup sauce
Make-Ahead Magic and Freezing Instructions
One of the greatest advantages of meatloaf is its make-ahead and freezer-friendly nature. This Pioneer Woman Meatloaf is no exception.
- Assemble Ahead: Prepare the meatloaf completely, shape it, and wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap. Store it in the refrigerator overnight or for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Freezing Unbaked Meatloaf: For longer storage, freeze the assembled, wrapped meatloaf. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed in the recipe.
- Freezing Cooked Meatloaf: Cooked meatloaf freezes exceptionally well. Allow it to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in foil and place it in a freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheating Frozen Meatloaf: To reheat frozen cooked meatloaf, bake it in foil at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 20-30 minutes. You can also thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and microwave individual slices until warm.
Pro Tip: If you’re making a large batch, consider dividing the meatloaf into smaller loaves before freezing. This allows for quicker thawing and reheating of individual portions.
Broiler Pan Alternatives for Perfect Meatloaf
Using a broiler pan is ideal for meatloaf as it allows excess grease to drain away, preventing a soggy bottom. If you don’t have a broiler pan, here are effective substitutes:
- Cookie Sheet (with caution): Place the meatloaf directly on a cookie sheet. However, be prepared to carefully tilt the sheet and drain off accumulated grease during baking. This method requires extra attention to avoid burns and spills.
- Cooling Rack on a Roasting Pan: This is an excellent alternative. Place a cooling rack inside a roasting pan. Line the rack with foil and poke small holes in the foil to allow fat to drip through. This setup mimics the function of a broiler pan, elevating the meatloaf and facilitating drainage.
Note: When using foil on a cooling rack, the bacon underneath the meatloaf may not crisp up as much as it would on a broiler pan. Be mindful of this if bacon crispiness is a priority.
Bacon or No Bacon? Customizing Your Meatloaf
While the bacon wrap is a signature element of this Pioneer Woman Meatloaf recipe, you can certainly make it without bacon if you prefer.
- Bacon Omission: If you choose to omit the bacon, the meatloaf will still be delicious. You may need to slightly reduce the baking time, checking for doneness around 15-20 minutes earlier than the recipe specifies. The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C).
Essential Tools for Pioneer Woman Meatloaf
To make this Pioneer Woman Meatloaf recipe with ease, gather these helpful tools:
- Large Mixing Bowl: For combining the meatloaf ingredients.
- Broiler Pan or Roasting Pan with Cooling Rack: For baking and draining grease.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.
- Pastry Brush: For applying the sauce glaze.
- Meat Thermometer: To ensure the meatloaf is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
What to Serve with Pioneer Woman Meatloaf
Pioneer Woman Meatloaf is a versatile main course that pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Consider these classic and comforting accompaniments:
- Mashed Potatoes: A quintessential pairing, creamy mashed potatoes are perfect for soaking up the flavorful meatloaf sauce.
- Roasted Green Beans: A simple and healthy side that adds a touch of freshness and color to the meal.
- Mac and Cheese: For ultimate comfort food indulgence, serve meatloaf with a side of cheesy macaroni and cheese.
- Corn on the Cob: A summery side that complements the richness of the meatloaf.
- Side Salad: A light and refreshing salad provides a contrast to the hearty meatloaf.
The Pioneer Woman Meatloaf Recipe
This recipe brings the iconic Pioneer Woman Meatloaf to your home kitchen. Get ready to enjoy a family favorite that’s both easy to make and incredibly delicious.
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, crusts removed
- 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 1/2 cups Ketchup
- 1/3 cup Brown Sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon Dry Mustard
- 1 dash Tabasco sauce (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Soak Bread: In a large bowl, pour milk over white bread slices. Let soak for 5 minutes until softened.
- Combine Ingredients: Add ground beef, Parmesan cheese, seasoned salt, salt, pepper, parsley, and beaten eggs to the bowl with the bread and milk.
- Mix Gently: Use your hands to gently combine all ingredients until just mixed. Avoid overmixing.
- Shape Meatloaf: Form the mixture into a loaf about 5 inches wide. Place it on a broiler pan or a prepared cooling rack on a roasting pan.
- Bacon Wrap: Drape bacon slices over the top of the meatloaf, tucking ends underneath.
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, dry mustard, and Tabasco sauce (if using).
- Glaze Meatloaf: Brush 1/3 of the sauce evenly over the bacon-wrapped meatloaf.
- Bake: Bake for 45 minutes on the middle rack of the preheated oven.
- Second Glaze: Remove from oven and brush another 1/3 of the sauce over the meatloaf. Bake for an additional 25 minutes.
- Rest: Remove from oven and let meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful meatloaf.
- Serve: Slice and serve with remaining sauce. Enjoy with your favorite side dishes!
Recipe Notes:
- Internal Temperature: Ensure the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) using a meat thermometer for food safety.
- Make-Ahead Instructions: Assemble meatloaf ahead of time, wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Freezing Instructions: Freeze cooked or uncooked meatloaf for up to 3 months. See freezing instructions above for details.
Nutrition Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: 628kcal
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Protein: 33g
- Fat: 42g
Enjoy this classic Pioneer Woman Meatloaf recipe – a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that brings comfort and flavor to your table!
