Meatloaf is a classic comfort food, and this Pioneer Woman Meatloaf recipe takes it to a whole new level. Inspired by Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman herself, this recipe is easy to follow, incredibly flavorful, and perfect for family dinners or meal prepping. Wrapped in crispy bacon and smothered in a tangy homemade sauce, this meatloaf is guaranteed to become a family favorite.
Pioneer Woman Meatloaf served over mashed potatoes with ketchup sauce
Many home cooks admire The Pioneer Woman for her approachable recipes and hearty, family-friendly meals. This meatloaf recipe is a testament to her style – simple ingredients combined to create something truly special. Forget dry, bland meatloaf; this recipe delivers a moist, tender, and flavor-packed dish that even meatloaf skeptics will love.
Why This Pioneer Woman Meatloaf Recipe Works
This isn’t just any meatloaf recipe. The Pioneer Woman Meatloaf stands out for several reasons:
- Bacon Wrap: Wrapping the meatloaf in bacon not only adds incredible flavor but also keeps the meatloaf moist and juicy as it cooks. The bacon fat renders down, basting the loaf from all sides.
- Homemade Sauce: The tangy and slightly sweet homemade ketchup-based sauce perfectly complements the richness of the meatloaf and bacon. It’s a simple mix of ketchup, brown sugar, and dry mustard that makes a big difference.
- Moist and Tender Texture: The use of milk-soaked bread ensures a tender and moist meatloaf, preventing it from becoming dry or crumbly.
- Freezer-Friendly: This recipe is excellent for making ahead or freezing leftovers. You can enjoy homemade meatloaf even on busy weeknights.
Best Meat for Meatloaf: Achieving the Perfect Blend
Choosing the right meat is crucial for a flavorful and tender meatloaf. Here’s what to consider:
- 80/20 Ground Beef: For optimal flavor and moisture, 80% lean ground beef is recommended. Leaner beef can result in a drier meatloaf.
- Meatloaf Mix (Optional): For an even more complex flavor, consider using a meatloaf mix, which typically includes ground beef, pork, and veal. This combination creates a very tender and flavorful meatloaf. Use 1/3 pound of each if blending your own.
- Pro-Tip: Some grocery stores sell pre-packaged meatloaf mixes, making it even easier to achieve the perfect blend.
Bread Matters: Choosing the Right Type
The type of bread you use also impacts the texture of your meatloaf.
- Soft White Sandwich Bread: Pioneer Woman and many home cooks prefer soft white sandwich bread for meatloaf. It blends seamlessly into the meat mixture, creating a uniform and tender consistency.
- Artisan Bread (Alternative): While soft bread is preferred, you can use crusty artisan bread if that’s what you have on hand. Just ensure it’s well soaked in milk.
Avoiding Overmixing: Gentle is Key
When making meatloaf, it’s important to mix the ingredients just until combined.
- Uniform Consistency: You want the ingredients to be evenly distributed throughout the meatloaf.
- Handle Gently: Overmixing ground beef can lead to a tougher texture. Mix gently with your hands until everything is just combined to keep the meatloaf tender and flavorful.
Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions: Convenience at its Best
Meatloaf is a fantastic make-ahead meal, offering flexibility and convenience.
- Make Ahead: Assemble the meatloaf and wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap. Store it in the refrigerator overnight and bake the next day.
- Freezing Before Cooking: You can freeze the assembled, unbaked meatloaf. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking as directed.
- Freezing Cooked Meatloaf: Cooked meatloaf freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, wrap it in foil, and place it in a freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheating Frozen Meatloaf: Bake the frozen meatloaf (still wrapped in foil) at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. You can also defrost it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it in the microwave.
- Portioning Tip: If you have a large meatloaf, consider dividing it in half before freezing for easier thawing and reheating smaller portions.
Broiler Pan Alternatives: Draining Excess Grease
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 one, here are substitutes:
- Cookie Sheet Only: Place the meatloaf directly on a cookie sheet. However, you’ll need to carefully drain the grease that accumulates during cooking.
- Cooling Rack on a Roasting Pan:
- Place a cooling rack on top of a roasting pan.
- Line the cooling rack with foil to hold the meatloaf.
- Poke holes in the foil to allow grease to drip into the roasting pan below.
- Note: Bacon on the bottom might not get as crispy with this foil method.
Meatloaf Without Bacon: A Still Delicious Option
While bacon adds significant flavor and moisture, you can make this meatloaf without it.
- Omit Bacon: Simply skip wrapping the meatloaf in bacon.
- Adjust Cooking Time: Reduce the baking time slightly to 15-20 minutes for the second bake, as the bacon helps extend the cooking time and retain moisture.
Sliced Pioneer Woman Meatloaf garnished with parsley and ketchup sauce
Tools You’ll Need
- Large Bowl
- Broiler Pan or alternative (cookie sheet, roasting pan with cooling rack)
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Mixing Utensils
- Meat Thermometer (recommended)
What to Serve with Pioneer Woman Meatloaf
Pioneer Woman Meatloaf is a versatile main dish that pairs well with a variety of sides. Consider serving it with:
- Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Green Beans
- Mac and Cheese
- Corn on the Cob
- Side Salad
The 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 1/2 cups Ketchup
- 1/3 cup Brown Sugar
- 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 bread slices and let soak for 5 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: Add ground beef, Parmesan cheese, seasoned salt, salt, pepper, parsley, and beaten eggs to the bowl with the bread and milk. Use your hands to gently combine, ensuring the bread is incorporated but not overmixed.
- Shape Loaf: Form the mixture into a loaf about 5 inches wide and place it on a broiler pan.
- Wrap with Bacon: Lay bacon slices over the top of the meatloaf, tucking the ends underneath.
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, combine ketchup, brown sugar, dry mustard, and Tabasco sauce (if using).
- Glaze Meatloaf: Brush 1/3 of the sauce over the bacon-wrapped meatloaf.
- Bake: Bake for 45 minutes on the middle rack. Remove from oven and brush with another 1/3 of the sauce. Bake for another 25 minutes.
- Rest: Remove from oven and let meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender meatloaf. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C).
- Serve: Slice and serve with the remaining sauce. Enjoy with your favorite sides like mashed potatoes and roasted green beans.
Recipe Notes:
- Make-Ahead: Assemble meatloaf ahead of time and store in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
- Freezing: Freeze cooked meatloaf for up to 3 months.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve with mashed potatoes and roasted green beans for a classic comfort meal.
Nutrition Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: 628kcal
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Protein: 33g
- Fat: 42g
Enjoy this delicious and easy Pioneer Woman Meatloaf recipe! It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for any occasion.
Recipe Source: Inspired by The Pioneer Woman
