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Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf Recipe

The greatest recipes are the ones that are simple to prepare and flavorful. Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf is one of those recipes. It contains ground beef, spices, onions, and breadcrumbs topped with a zesty sauce (my favorite part).

This quick meatloaf recipe is a family favorite and very simple to prepare! Don’t forget to let us know what you think in the comment section below.

Ingredients That You’ll Need:

  • Ground beef: I recommend using 80/20 ground beef. This adds just enough fat to make it juicy without making it oily.
  • Breadcrumbs & eggs: Breadcrumbs and eggs help keep the loaf together and provide the proper texture. Seasoned Italian breadcrumbs are ideal because they provide more taste than plain breadcrumbs.
  • Seasonings: Use onions, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in this meatloaf recipe.
  • Topping: This is the most exciting part, containing a combination of ketchup and chili sauce (with a dash of brown sugar).
Pioneer Woman Meatloaf Recipe
Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf Recipe

Do You Have to Use a Loaf Pan For Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf?

Yes, I highly suggest using a loaf pan for the juiciest meatloaf. It cooks more evenly, remains juicy since it cooks in its juices, and keeps its form better.

If you choose to freeform the meatloaf (i.e. bake it without a loaf pan), the ends and edges will overcook before the center is done.

Cooking Times For Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf

If you would only like to prepare half of the Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf recipe (or more), use the cooking times below to bake the meatloaf at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. A thermometer is the best tool to help you verify that the meatloaf is thoroughly cooked.

  • Bake a 1 pound meatloaf for about 45 minutes total.
  • Bake a 2 pound meatloaf for about 55 minutes total.
  • Bake a 3 pound meatloaf for about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Can You Make Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can! Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf is an excellent make-ahead meal since it can be prepared and assembled ahead of time. Simply wrap the prepared meatloaf in foil or plastic wrap and place it in the fridge overnight to bake the following day.

You can also freeze the prepared meatloaf. Allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.

How to Make Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil with cooking spray and set aside.
  2. In a small saucepan, soften the onions in butter over medium-low heat. Allow the onions to cool thoroughly.
  3. In a medium bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the eggs and milk. Allow the mixture to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
  4. Add the ground beef, onions, ketchup or chili sauce, Italian seasoning, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste, and mix until thoroughly combined.
  5. Shape the meat mixture into an 8-inch x 4-inch loaf on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 40 minutes.
  6. Meanwhile, combine the remaining chili sauce and ketchup, and the brown sugar if using. Spread the mixture over the meatloaf and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes if required.
  7. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

What Should You Serve With Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf?

You can serve your Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf with a side of mashed potatoes or mac and cheese for the perfect comforting meal. Here are some other dishes that work well with meatloaf as well.

Pioneer Woman Meatloaf Recipe
Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf Recipe

Can You Overmix Ground Beef When You Prepare Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf?

It is best that you don’t overmix this meatloaf when you combine the ingredients or the meatloaf may be tough once baked.

How Can You Freeze Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf?

  • Before Cooking: Place the raw meatloaf mixture in a loaf pan, cover it with plastic wrap, and place it in the freezer. Then, when you are ready to cook it, thaw the frozen meatloaf in the refrigerator for 24 hours before baking it according to the recipe instructions.
  • After Cooking: Once the meatloaf is cooked and cooled, place individual slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze them until solid. Then, transfer the frozen slices to a freezer bag. This makes it simple to reheat one or more slices! Simply rewarm the meatloaf slices in the microwave or oven.

How Can You Reheat Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf?

In The Oven:

  1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120 degrees Celsius).
  2. Place your leftover meatloaf slices on a small shallow plate.
  3. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of beef broth over each piece.
  4. Cover the plate with aluminum foil and bake it for 20 to 25 minutes in the center of the oven.

In The Microwave:

  1. Place the leftover meatloaf slices in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover the meatloaf slices with a moist kitchen paper/paper towel.
  3. Reheat the meatloaf for 1 minute, and then gently turn the meatloaf slices over.
  4. Continue microwaving the meatloaf for another minute, or until it is heated all the way through.
  5. If the meatloaf is not hot enough, return it to the microwave and reheat it in 30-second increments at 50% power.

In The Air Fryer:

  1. Set the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
  2. Line the air fryer basket with baking paper or parchment paper.
  3. Spray oil on both sides of each meatloaf slice.
  4. Reheat the slices for 4 to 5 minutes.

Recipe Tips & Variations

  • Do Not Overmix: Mix the meatloaf mixture just until everything is evenly distributed.
  • Use Lean Meat: Use lean beef (but not extra lean). The best meat combination for meatloaf is 80/20. You want a little fat for taste but not too much, so lean beef is the best choice.
  • Add Milk: Adding milk ensures that every bite is tasty and juicy.
  • Skip the Loaf Pan: Cooking meatloaf on a baking pan yields the nicest results. If you cook meatloaf in a loaf pan, the meatloaf will steam.
  • Rest the Meatloaf: After removing the meatloaf from the oven, it should be allowed to rest. This helps to disperse the liquids and ensures that it doesn’t fall apart when sliced!
  • Brown Sugar Meatloaf Glaze: Combine equal parts brown sugar and ketchup with a sprinkle of cider vinegar instead of chili sauce.
  • Brown Gravy: Serve the meatloaf with brown gravy instead of the topping (homemade, leftover, or packaged).
Pioneer Woman Meatloaf Recipe
Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf Recipe

FAQ Section

What is the Best Sauce for Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf?

My favorite meatloaf sauce is a combination of chili sauce and ketchup (like my mother always did) with a touch of brown sugar. It is a zesty topping that caramelizes and becomes a little sticky as it bakes.

How Should You Thaw Frozen Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf?

Remove Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf from the freezer and set it in the refrigerator overnight to defrost. Keep the meatloaf wrapped to avoid contaminating other meals in the fridge. If you don’t have much time, you can defrost frozen chunks in a cold water bath at 40 degrees or below, which is safer and much quicker.

How Should You Store Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf in the Fridge?

Refrigerate the cooked meatloaf in shallow airtight containers or wrap securely in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap to optimize shelf life, safety, and quality. The cooked meatloaf can keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days if properly refrigerated.

Why Did My Pioneer Woman Meatloaf Fall Apart?

If your meatloaf falls apart, it’s either because you didn’t use enough binding ingredients or you didn’t press the loaf together tightly enough.

How Can I Make Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf Gluten-free?

To make Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf recipe gluten-free, just replace the breadcrumbs with crushed Rice Chex or Corn Chex!

Should I Cover Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf When Baking?

No, you should leave it uncovered because you want the meatloaf to brown and the glaze to caramelize! However, if it browns too rapidly, just cover it with foil.

How Long Should You Cook Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf?

If you are making a 2 pound version of Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf, it should take around 55 to 65 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 45 to 55 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a meat thermometer to verify that the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pioneer Woman Meatloaf Recipe
Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf Recipe

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Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving

  • Calories 337.5
  • Total Fat 22.6 g
  • Saturated Fat 9 g
  • Cholesterol 107.1 mg
  • Sodium 828.5 mg
  • Potassium 275.3 mg
  • Total Carbohydrate 12.6 g
  • Dietary Fiber 0.8 g
  • Sugars 6.8 g
  • Protein 20.4 g
  • Vitamin A 13.4%
  • Vitamin C 2.3%
  • Calcium 14%
  • Iron 12.3%

Nutrition Facts Source: Source

Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf Recipe

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 10 minutesCook time: 50 minutesRest time: 10 minutesTotal time:1 hour 10 minutesServings:8 servingsCalories:337.5 kcal Best Season:Available

Description

The greatest recipes are the ones that are simple to prepare and flavorful. Pioneer Woman’s Meatloaf is one of those recipes. It contains ground beef, spices, onions, and breadcrumbs topped with a zesty sauce (my favorite part).

Ingredients

  • Meatloaf Sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil with cooking spray and set aside.
  2. In a small saucepan, soften the onions in butter over medium-low heat. Allow the onions to cool thoroughly.
  3. In a medium bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the eggs and milk. Allow the mixture to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
  4. Add the ground beef, onions, ketchup or chili sauce, Italian seasoning, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste, and mix until thoroughly combined.
  5. Shape the meat mixture into an 8-inch x 4-inch loaf on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 40 minutes.
  6. Meanwhile, combine the remaining chili sauce and ketchup, and the brown sugar if using. Spread the mixture over the meatloaf and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes if required.
  7. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Notes

  • Do Not Overmix: Mix the meatloaf mixture just until everything is evenly distributed.
  • Use Lean Meat: Use lean beef (but not extra lean). The best meat combination for meatloaf is 80/20. You want a little fat for taste but not too much, so lean beef is the best choice.
  • Add Milk: Adding milk ensures that every bite is tasty and juicy.
  • Skip the Loaf Pan: Cooking meatloaf on a baking pan yields the nicest results. If you cook meatloaf in a loaf pan, the meatloaf will steam.
  • Rest the Meatloaf: After removing the meatloaf from the oven, it should be allowed to rest. This helps to disperse the liquids and ensures that it doesn’t fall apart when sliced!
  • Brown Sugar Meatloaf Glaze: Combine equal parts brown sugar and ketchup with a sprinkle of cider vinegar instead of chili sauce.
  • Brown Gravy: Serve the meatloaf with brown gravy instead of the topping (homemade, leftover, or packaged).
Keywords:Pioneer Woman Meatloaf Recipe
Nutrition Facts

Servings 8


Amount Per Serving
Calories 337.5
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 22.6g35%
Saturated Fat 9g45%
Cholesterol 107.1mg36%
Sodium 828.5mg35%
Potassium 275.3mg8%
Total Carbohydrate 12.6g5%
Dietary Fiber 0.8g4%
Sugars 6.8g
Protein 20.4g41%

Vitamin A 13.4 IU
Vitamin C 2.3 mg
Calcium 14 mg
Iron 12.3 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.