The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, is beloved for her approachable and delicious recipes that bring families together around the dinner table. Among her many popular dishes, her meatloaf recipe stands out as a true comfort food classic. We’re diving deep into the Pioneer Woman’s meatloaf, exploring what makes it so special, and why it deserves a spot in your regular recipe rotation. Get ready for a flavorful, easy-to-make meatloaf that will become a family favorite.
Meatloaf over mashed potatoes with a homemade ketchup sauce drizzled on top
Meatloaf often gets a bad rap, but when done right, it’s incredibly satisfying. The Pioneer Woman’s version elevates this humble dish to new heights with simple techniques and flavorful ingredients. Imagine a juicy, tender meatloaf wrapped in crispy bacon, topped with a tangy homemade sauce – that’s exactly what you get with this recipe. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience that evokes feelings of home and warmth.
Why This Pioneer Woman Meatloaf Recipe Works
This isn’t just any meatloaf recipe; it’s crafted to be foolproof and delicious every single time. Here’s why it works so well:
- Moisture is Key: The recipe uses milk-soaked bread, a classic technique that ensures the meatloaf stays incredibly moist and tender. This prevents the dryness that can plague lesser meatloaf recipes.
- Flavorful Meat Mixture: Using 80% lean ground beef provides the perfect balance of flavor and moisture. Some variations even suggest a blend of beef, pork, and veal for an even richer taste, echoing Italian meatloaf traditions that often incorporate different meats for depth of flavor.
- 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 goodness and preventing it from drying out.
- Homemade Sauce: The simple ketchup-based sauce is a perfect complement to the richness of the meatloaf. It’s tangy, slightly sweet, and adds a beautiful glaze as it bakes. This homemade touch elevates the dish far beyond using plain ketchup.
The Best Meat for Your Italian-Inspired Meatloaf
While the original Pioneer Woman recipe calls for ground beef, for an “Italian” twist and enhanced flavor, consider a blend of meats. Here’s a guide to choosing the best meat:
- 80% Lean Ground Beef: This is a solid choice for meatloaf, offering good flavor and preventing dryness. The bit of fat keeps the meatloaf moist.
- Ground Beef, Pork, and Veal Blend: For a more tender and flavorful meatloaf, especially if you’re leaning into Italian flavors, a mix of ground beef, pork, and veal (often found pre-mixed in grocery stores as “meatloaf mix”) is excellent. Use equal parts of each – about 1/3 pound each for this recipe. This combination is common in Italian-American meatball and meatloaf recipes, adding a layer of richness and complexity.
- Italian Sausage (Mild or Sweet): For a truly Italian-inspired meatloaf, consider replacing a portion of the ground beef (about 1/2 pound) with Italian sausage. Remove the sausage from its casings and crumble it into the meat mixture. This adds significant flavor and a hint of Italian seasoning.
Pro-Tip: If using a meat blend, ensure the overall fat content is still around 15-20% to maintain moisture. Leaner mixtures can result in a drier meatloaf.
Bread Matters: Choosing the Right Type
The type of bread you use in meatloaf affects its texture. Here’s what works best:
- Soft White Sandwich Bread: Pioneer Woman prefers white sandwich bread, and for good reason. It soaks up the milk beautifully and blends seamlessly into the meat mixture, creating a uniform and tender texture.
- Crusty Artisan Bread (for a heartier texture): If you prefer a meatloaf with a bit more texture, you can use crusty artisan bread. Just be sure to remove the crust and tear the bread into smaller pieces before soaking in milk.
Step-by-Step to Pioneer Woman Perfection: Making Meatloaf
Let’s walk through the process of making this incredible Pioneer Woman Meatloaf.
Ingredients:
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Meatloaf:
- 1 cup Whole Milk
- 6 slices White Bread, crusts removed
- 2 pounds Ground Beef (80% lean), or meat blend (see suggestions above)
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated (for an Italian touch)
- 1/4 teaspoon Seasoned Salt
- 3/4 teaspoons Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste
- 1/3 cup fresh Parsley, minced (or a mix of parsley and Italian herbs like basil or oregano for Italian flavor)
- 4 large Eggs, beaten
- 12 slices Thin-cut Bacon
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Sauce:
- 1 1/2 cups Ketchup
- 1/3 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Dry Mustard
- 1 dash Tabasco sauce (optional, for a little kick)
Equipment:
- Large Bowl
- Broiler Pan (or cooling rack and roasting pan setup, see alternatives below)
- Cookie Sheet
- Small Bowl
- Pastry Brush (optional, for sauce application)
Instructions:
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Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Soak the Bread: In a large bowl, place the white bread slices and pour milk over them. Let soak for about 5 minutes, allowing the bread to soften completely.
Bread soaking in milk for meatloaf -
Combine Meatloaf Ingredients: To the soaked bread mixture, add the ground beef (or meat blend), Parmesan cheese, seasoned salt, salt, black pepper, minced parsley (and optional Italian herbs), and beaten eggs.
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Mix Gently: Use your hands to gently combine all ingredients. Crucial Tip: Avoid overmixing! Overworking the ground beef will result in a tougher meatloaf. Mix just until everything is evenly distributed.
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Shape the Loaf: Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape, about 5 inches wide. Place it on a broiler pan. Using a broiler pan is important as it allows excess fat to drain away as the meatloaf cooks, preventing a greasy bottom.
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Bacon Blanket: Lay bacon slices over the top of the meatloaf, tucking the ends underneath to secure them. Arrange them touching but not overlapping for easy slicing later.
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Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, dry mustard, and Tabasco sauce (if using).
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First Sauce Layer: Brush about 1/3 of the sauce evenly over the bacon-wrapped meatloaf.
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Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes on the middle rack.
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Second Sauce Layer: Remove the meatloaf from the oven and brush another 1/3 of the sauce over it.
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Continue Baking: Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for another 25 minutes.
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Rest: Remove from the oven and let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful meatloaf. Pro Tip: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) before slicing.
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Serve: Slice and serve with the remaining sauce. Pioneer Woman meatloaf is fantastic with mashed potatoes and roasted green beans!
Meatloaf sliced on a wooden cutting board with fresh parsley sprinkled on top and homemade ketchup sauce in background
Broiler Pan Alternatives
Don’t have a broiler pan? No problem! Here are effective substitutes:
- Cookie Sheet Only (Requires Draining): Place the meatloaf directly on a cookie sheet. However, you’ll need to carefully remove the cookie sheet from the oven and drain off the accumulated grease a couple of times during cooking. Be cautious to avoid burns!
- Cooling Rack on a Roasting Pan: This method mimics a broiler pan effectively.
- Place a cooling rack on top of a roasting pan or cookie sheet with sides.
- Line the cooling rack with foil.
- Poke several small holes in the foil to allow fat to drip through.
- Place the meatloaf on the foil-lined rack.
Important Note: When using the cooling rack with foil method, the bacon underneath the meatloaf might not get as crispy as it would on a true broiler pan. Keep an eye on it and you might need to broil for a few minutes at the end to crisp up the bacon if desired.
Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions
Meatloaf is incredibly make-ahead friendly, making it perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping.
- Make-Ahead: Assemble the meatloaf completely, including wrapping it in bacon and shaping it. Wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator overnight. Bake as directed the next day.
- Freezing Before Cooking: Assemble the meatloaf and wrap it tightly in foil and then in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
- Freezing Cooked Meatloaf: Cook the meatloaf completely. Let it cool thoroughly. Wrap tightly in foil and place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, bake in foil at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 20-30 minutes. You can also thaw it overnight in the fridge and microwave individual slices until warm.
Serving Suggestions for Pioneer Woman Meatloaf
Pioneer Woman meatloaf is a versatile main course that pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Here are some classic and complementary options:
- Classic Comfort Sides:
- Mashed Potatoes (a must-have!)
- Roasted Green Beans or other roasted vegetables like carrots or broccoli
- Creamy Mac and Cheese
- Corn on the Cob
- Italian-Inspired Sides (to enhance the “Italian” theme):
- Garlic Bread
- Steamed Asparagus with Parmesan
- Caprese Salad
- Simple side salad with Italian vinaigrette
Tools for Perfect Meatloaf
- Broiler Pan: Essential for draining fat and preventing a soggy meatloaf.
- Meat Thermometer: Ensures your meatloaf is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Large Mixing Bowl: For combining the meatloaf ingredients.
More Pioneer Woman Inspired Recipes to Try
If you love the Pioneer Woman’s style of cooking, here are a few more recipes you might enjoy:
Overhead view of a pan filled with Creamy Fettuccine Alfredo with kitchen tongs. Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce
A white plate topped with creamy Chicken Spaghetti topped with red pepper flakes and parsley. Chicken Spaghetti
A skillet with a wooden spoon it in scooping up Skillet Lasagna topped with cheese. Skillet Lasagna
A bowl of creamy sausage tortellini soup with kale and a spoon. Sausage Tortellini Soup
A pile of mashed potatoes topped with cubed steak with brown gravy and onions with green beans on the side. Cube Steak and Gravy
A pot filled with Italian Meatballs with a wooden spoon. Bobby Flay’s Meatball Recipe
The Pioneer Woman’s Italian Meatloaf recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a taste of home-style comfort with a touch of Italian-inspired flair. Easy to prepare, freezer-friendly, and utterly delicious, this recipe is sure to become a cherished part of your family dinners. Gather your ingredients, fire up the oven, and get ready to enjoy the best meatloaf you’ve ever tasted!
