Meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food, and when it comes to classic American recipes, Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, is a trusted source. This Pioneer Woman Meatloaf recipe takes the humble meatloaf to a whole new level with its incredible flavor and easy-to-follow instructions. Perfect for a family dinner, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
Meatloaf over mashed potatoes with a homemade ketchup sauce drizzled on top
If you’re a fan of Pioneer Woman Recipes Dinner ideas, you know that Ree Drummond focuses on hearty, flavorful, and approachable meals. This meatloaf recipe is no exception. It’s not just any meatloaf; it’s packed with flavor, incredibly moist, and topped with a tangy homemade sauce that perfectly complements the richness of the meat. Plus, it’s wrapped in bacon! Who can resist bacon?
This recipe is inspired by the warmth and simplicity of Pioneer Woman’s cooking style. It’s designed to be straightforward, even for beginner cooks, yet delivers a depth of flavor that will impress even the most discerning palates. Whether you’re looking for a comforting weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing dish for a casual gathering, this Pioneer Woman Meatloaf is an excellent choice.
What Makes This Pioneer Woman Meatloaf Recipe Special?
Several factors contribute to making this meatloaf recipe stand out from the rest, embodying the best qualities of Pioneer Woman recipes dinner:
- Bacon Wrap: Wrapping the meatloaf in bacon not only adds a smoky, savory flavor but also helps to keep the meatloaf incredibly moist during baking. As the bacon cooks, its fat renders and bastes the meatloaf, infusing it with deliciousness.
- Moisture-Boosting Bread and Milk: Soaking bread in milk creates a panade, which is a classic technique to add moisture and tenderness to meatloaf. This ensures that your meatloaf is never dry or crumbly.
- Flavorful Sauce: The homemade sauce, made with ketchup, brown sugar, and dry mustard, provides a perfect sweet and tangy glaze that balances the savory meatloaf.
- Simple Ingredients & Instructions: True to Pioneer Woman’s style, this recipe uses readily available ingredients and straightforward steps, making it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.
- Make-Ahead and Freezer-Friendly: This meatloaf can be prepared in advance and even frozen, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights or meal prepping.
Choosing the Right Meat for Your Pioneer Woman Meatloaf
The type of meat you choose significantly impacts the flavor and texture of your meatloaf. Here’s a guide to selecting the best meat, keeping in mind the hearty nature of Pioneer Woman recipes dinner:
- 80/20 Ground Beef: This is the recommended choice for meatloaf. The 80% lean to 20% fat ratio ensures enough fat for flavor and moisture without being greasy. Leaner ground beef can result in a drier meatloaf.
- Meatloaf Mix (Beef, Pork, Veal): For an even richer and more complex flavor, consider using a meatloaf mix that combines ground beef, pork, and veal. This blend offers a great balance of flavor and tenderness. Use equal parts if mixing yourself, about 1/3 pound of each.
- Ground Chuck: If you prefer to grind your own meat or want a slightly leaner option, ground chuck (80/20) is a good alternative to pre-ground beef.
Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid of fat in your meatloaf. It’s essential for flavor and moisture. Leaner meats tend to dry out during baking, resulting in a less satisfying meatloaf.
The Best Bread for Pioneer Woman Style Meatloaf
The type of bread you use in your meatloaf also plays a role in its texture. Pioneer Woman recipes dinner often emphasize simple, pantry-staple ingredients, and bread is no exception.
- Soft White Sandwich Bread: This is the classic and preferred choice for meatloaf, especially in recipes like Pioneer Woman’s. White sandwich bread soaks up the milk beautifully, creating a soft panade that blends seamlessly into the meat mixture, resulting in a tender and uniform texture.
- Crusty Artisan Bread (Optional): While not traditional, you can use crusty artisan bread if that’s what you have on hand. However, ensure you remove the crust and soak the interior well in milk to achieve the desired softness. White bread is truly ideal for this recipe to keep it authentically Pioneer Woman.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Pioneer Woman Meatloaf
This recipe is broken down into easy-to-follow steps, perfect for creating a delicious Pioneer Woman recipes dinner:
Yields: 8 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Meatloaf:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 6 slices white bread, crusts removed
- 2 pounds 80/20 ground beef
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon seasoned salt
- ¾ teaspoons salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ⅓ cup minced fresh parsley
- 4 large eggs, beaten
- 12 slices thin-cut bacon
For the Sauce:
- 1 ½ cups ketchup
- ⅓ 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
- Cookie sheet (alternative to broiler pan)
- Aluminum foil (for easy cleanup)
- Pastry brush
Instructions
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Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Soak Bread: In a large bowl, pour milk over the bread slices. Let them soak for about 5 minutes until softened.
Bread soaking in milk in a large bowl -
Combine Meatloaf Ingredients: Add ground beef, Parmesan cheese, seasoned salt, salt, pepper, parsley, and beaten eggs to the bowl with the soaked bread.
Use your hands to gently combine all ingredients. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatloaf tough.
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Form the Loaf: Shape the mixture into a loaf about 5 inches wide. Place it on a broiler pan to allow fat to drain during baking. For easier cleanup, line the bottom of the broiler pan with foil. If you don’t have a broiler pan, see the ‘Broiler Pan Substitute’ section below.
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Wrap with Bacon: Lay bacon slices over the top of the meatloaf, tucking the ends underneath to secure them. The bacon not only adds flavor but also helps maintain the loaf’s shape.
Arrange bacon slices touching but not overlapping to allow for easy slicing after cooking, a neat trick often found in Pioneer Woman recipes dinner tips.
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Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, and dry mustard. Add a dash of Tabasco sauce if desired.
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Glaze and Bake: Brush about ⅓ of the sauce evenly over the bacon-wrapped meatloaf. Bake for 45 minutes on the middle rack of your preheated oven.
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Add Second Glaze: Remove the meatloaf from the oven and brush another ⅓ of the sauce over it. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes.
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Rest and Serve: Take the meatloaf out of the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful meatloaf. Serve with the remaining sauce.
Meatloaf sliced on a wooden cutting board with fresh parsley sprinkled on top and homemade ketchup sauce in background
Pro Tips for the Best Pioneer Woman Meatloaf
To ensure your meatloaf is a success, here are some pro tips inspired by the best practices in Pioneer Woman recipes dinner:
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the meatloaf mixture can lead to a tougher texture. Mix just until all ingredients are combined. Gentle handling is key.
- Use a Broiler Pan (or Substitute): A broiler pan allows excess grease to drip away from the meatloaf as it cooks, preventing a soggy bottom. If you don’t have one, see the substitute options below.
- Check Internal Temperature: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). This guarantees it’s cooked through and safe to eat.
- Let it Rest: Resting the meatloaf for 10 minutes after baking is crucial. It allows the juices to redistribute, making the meatloaf more moist and flavorful.
- Customize the Sauce: Feel free to adjust the sauce to your liking. Add a pinch of smoked paprika for smokiness, Worcestershire sauce for depth, or a bit more brown sugar for sweetness.
Broiler Pan Substitutes for Meatloaf
If you don’t have a broiler pan, don’t worry! You can still achieve excellent results with these substitutes, keeping in mind the resourceful spirit of Pioneer Woman recipes dinner:
- Cooling Rack on a Roasting Pan: Place a cooling rack on top of a roasting pan. Line the rack with foil and poke a few holes in the foil to allow grease to drip through. This setup mimics a broiler pan effectively. Be aware that bacon under the loaf might not crisp as much with this method.
- Cookie Sheet Only: Place the meatloaf directly on a cookie sheet. However, you’ll need to periodically remove the cookie sheet from the oven and drain off the accumulated grease during cooking. This method requires extra attention but works in a pinch.
Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions
Pioneer Woman recipes dinner are often about practicality and making life easier. This meatloaf is perfect for making ahead or freezing:
- Make-Ahead: You can assemble the meatloaf completely, wrap it tightly in foil or plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator overnight. Bake as directed the next day.
- Freezing Unbaked Meatloaf: Assemble the meatloaf, 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: Let the cooked meatloaf cool completely. Wrap it tightly in foil and then 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, or defrost overnight in the fridge and microwave until warm.
What to Serve with Pioneer Woman Meatloaf
Meatloaf is a versatile main dish that pairs well with a variety of sides. For a classic Pioneer Woman recipes dinner experience, consider serving it with:
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a quintessential side for meatloaf.
- Roasted Green Beans: Simple roasted green beans add a healthy and flavorful vegetable component.
- Mac and Cheese: For extra comfort food goodness, mac and cheese is always a hit.
- Corn on the Cob: Especially in the summer, corn on the cob is a delightful side.
- Side Salad: A fresh side salad provides a light contrast to the richness of the meatloaf.
Enjoy this Pioneer Woman Meatloaf recipe for a comforting and satisfying dinner that your whole family will love. It’s a testament to the simple yet delicious meals that Pioneer Woman recipes dinner are known for!
