We recommend baking meatloaf between 350 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit. At 350 degrees, a 4-pound meatloaf should take about 2 hours to 2 hours and 40 minutes. At 375 degrees, a 4 pound meatloaf should take 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes.
How long should I cook a 4 lb meatloaf?
A 4 lb. meatloaf should bake at 350 f for 2 hours 40 minutes. Check the temperature of the meatloaf while it is still in the oven by inserting a thermometer into the center of the pan. The meatloaf should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160 F.
How long does meatloaf take to cook at 375?
With the oven set to a temperature of 375, a 1½ pound meatloaf will typically take about 50 minutes in an oven with at least a standard size loaf pan.
What temperature do you cook a 4 lb meatloaf?
The standard meatloaf cooking temperature is 350°F. At 350°F, 35-45 minutes for a meatloaf is a fairly accurate rule. The best way not to overcook or undercook your meatloaf is to check the internal temperature of the meatloaf using a meat thermometer. The ideal internal temperature for meatloaf is 160°F.
How long does it take to cook a 4 lb meatloaf at 400 degrees?
How long does it take to cook meatloaf at 400°F? To reach a safe internal temperature, it should take about 40 minutes to cook the meatloaf so that the cooking temperature is maintained at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
How many eggs do you put in a 4 pound meatloaf?
How many eggs can be added to the meat loaf pan? The average meatloaf recipe calls for about 2 pounds. Ground meat typically contains two to three (lightly beaten) eggs. This creates a ground egg to beef string ratio of 1 to 1½ eggs per pound of meat in the recipe.
How long do you cook a 3 lb meatloaf at 375?
It is recommended to bake the meatloaf between 350 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit. At 350 degrees, a 3 pound meatloaf will take about 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 ½ hours. At 375 degrees, a 3 lb. meatloaf will take from 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Should meatloaf be covered while cooking?
Cover one large meatloaf with aluminum foil during cooking to keep it moist but clear during the last 15 minutes of baking. Meatloaf is very suitable for being frozen raw for later cooking or for cooking, freezing, and reheating.” Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Does meatloaf need to be covered?
To make the most moist meatloaf, the most important thing to remember when baking meatloaf is that it should be covered with a lid or aluminum foil. This will keep the juices and moisture in and produce a tender, moist meatloaf.
What temperature should I cook a meatloaf on?
The oven temperature is usually set at 350 degrees F for making meatloaf. That is the temperature you want to be sure to use so that the meatloaf does not cook and dry out. If it is too high, the outer crust will burn before the interior is cooked all the way through.
How long do you cook a 5 lb meatloaf at 350 degrees?
How long does it take to cook a 5 lb. meatloaf at 350 degrees? Bake at 350 * for 1 hour or until pink remains. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.
Can meatloaf be cooked at 400 degrees?
Shape beef mixture into a 9 x 4 inch pan in a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes.
How long should a 2 lb meatloaf cook at 350 degrees?
The best temperature to cook meatloaf is 350°F and takes about 1 hour, give or take a few minutes, depending on size and shape. One hour should be more than enough for a 2-pound meatloaf. Do not cut into meatloaf immediately. Allow to rest for at least 10 minutes after cooking.
What is the secret to moist meatloaf?
2. Add water in all steps. Do not add eggs, ketchup, tomato paste, mustard, Worcestershire, barbecue sauce, or any combination of rain seasonings. They not only add flavor and texture, but help make the meat very juicy.
Why do you put milk in meatloaf?
Reason for adding milk. The milk soaks into the crumbs and keeps the meatloaf moist. I usually use whole milk in recipes, but you can use any kind of milk, including non-dairy milk substitutes.
What ingredient keeps meatloaf from falling apart?
Eggs: Like breadcrumbs and milk, eggs act as a binding agent to hold the meatloaf together. We have found that two eggs work well.
How long does a 3 lb meatloaf take to cook at 350?
How long does it take to cook 3 pounds of meatloaf at 350 degrees? Mix all ingredients together, pan and place in a roasting pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 1 1/2 hours.
How long do you bake meatloaf at 325?
Thus, in a convection oven, the meatloaf can be cooked at 325°F, and the cooking time will vary as follows
- Muffin-shaped meatloaves take 17 to 30 minutes.
- Mini meatloaves (8-9 ounces) take 22-34 minutes.
- 1 pound meatloaves take 26-42 minutes.
Should I drain the grease from my meatloaf?
Baking the meatloaf in a loaf pan will keep the loaf moist. Consider draining the fat 15 minutes before cooking time to ensure a crispy surface. This method is best cooked ahead of time so that the meatloaf can be easily sliced.
Is it OK for meatloaf to be a little pink?
Ground beef patties or meatloaf cooked at the required temperature of 160 F (71 C) are safe. However, under certain conditions, it may still turn pink. Yes, this can be caused by the presence of other foods, especially foods containing nitrites.
What is the best filler for meatloaf?
Bread crumbs, oatmeal, cracker crumbs, crushed tortilla chips, etc. are all great fillers. My mother makes a wonderful meatloaf with ground turkey, crushed tortilla chips, and southwestern seasoning. Use what you have in your pantry!
Do I have to put ketchup on meatloaf?
Ketchup is a common ingredient in meatloaf, but may not be the best choice . It is best to make your own sauce from scratch, as the extra sugar and salt will be too much.
How do I know if my meatloaf is done without a thermometer?
If you do not have a thermometer, try using a metal fork. Meatloaf is usually cooked when you can insert the metal fork into the center without resistance. You can also check the condition of the meatloaf with your finger. Be careful not to burn yourself.
What type of ground beef is best for meatloaf?
Regular ground beef (70-77% lean) Ideal for meatloaf and meatballs, ground chuck holds its shape during cooking. Cooked meat should be moist, juicy, and slightly firm.
How do you know if meatloaf is fully cooked?
Use an instant read thermometer. The easiest way to determine if the meatloaf is done would be to use a meat thermometer to take an instant reading. When the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 155°F at the thickest part, it can be removed from the oven and is considered done.
Can you cook meatloaf in a glass pan?
Press the mixture into an ungreased 8-inch round (1 1/2 quart) glass gratin dish. Bake at 350°F. 65-75 minutes or until center is fully cooked and meat thermometer reads 160°F.
How do you know when a meatloaf is done?
A 2 lb. meatloaf will cook reliably in about 1 hour. Do not overcook. The best way to know when the meatloaf is done is to check the internal temperature. As soon as it reaches 155°F, you can remove it from the oven.
How does Martha Stewart make meatloaf?
Ingredients
- 3 slices white sandwich bread.
- 1/3 cup whole milk.
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck.
- 1/2 lb. ground pork .
- 1/2 medium onion, grated.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced.
- 1 large egg .
- 1/2 cup ketchup.
What happens if you put too much bread crumbs in meatloaf?
A-Meatloaf will most likely crumble if there is too much bread crumbs, too little egg, or if it is not partially cooled in a baked fat-filled loaf pan.
How do you drain grease from meatloaf?
You can also try using disposable foil bread pans with holes drilled in the bottom. Place the pan on a cooling rack set inside a baking pan. Fill with meat mixture and bake. Grease will drain out of the foil pan and away from the meat.
Should onions be sauteed before adding to meatloaf?
Adding milk to the crumbs will moisten the meatloaf. Without it, the crumbs will absorb all the moisture from the meat. Should I saute onions for the meatloaf? Yes, sauteing onions not only enhances flavor and moisture, but also ensures that they are fully cooked.
Is milk or water better in meatloaf?
Milk is the preferred liquid for meatloaf, but there are some great alternatives if you do not want to use it. The reason milk is added to meatloaf is to soak the crumbs, which adds much needed moisture to the meatloaf.
Why is my meatloaf crack when cooking?
A: Meatloaf usually cracks when the outside is cooked much faster than the inside. As the meat cooks, the proteins shrink and bind together. If not cooked evenly, the outer protein will tighten and leave cracks in the top of the meatloaf.
Do eggs hold meatloaf together?
Bread and eggs together, ground beef or sausage, and diced, cooked vegetables are all put together in that wonderful bread shape, so when cut into a cooked meatloaf, everything stays in one place. Cooked ground meat.
What happens if I put too much milk in my meatloaf?
Of course, the meat gets tougher as it cooks, but if you have a loose, wet, sloppy mixture, it becomes kind of a soggy, loose meatloaf. If it is really dense and tight then it will be a meatloaf. Thus, if you add too much milk and the meat mixture looks too loose, tear up the bread and add more.
How long should meatloaf rest?
It is strictly a matter of taste. Allow the meatloaf to rest for about 10 minutes after it comes out of the oven. Slice it to bring it together.
What goes good with meatloaf dinner?
26 Delicious Side Dishes for Meatloaf
- Dinner Rolls. Since you’re already baking the meatloaf, you might as well make a quick bread with it!
- Garlic Bread.
- Cornbread.
- Mashed potatoes.
- Potato wedges.
- Cauliflower Tots.
- Mashed cauliflower.
- Creamed spinach.
What does an egg do for meatloaf?
Egg yolks are mostly water, but contain significant amounts of protein and fat, adding flavor, richness, and moisture. They also bind the meat and help set the bread into a stable shape without the need to overwork the meat.
Why does the bottom of my meatloaf burn?
Or, if you are grinding your own from scratch, grind it twice. Overmixing meatloaf can be difficult. Do not use a food processor (overmixing is too easy). Do not even think about using an electric beater. It burns the engine.
The simple answer is yes. Panko bread crumbs are fluffier than regular bread crumbs. When it bakes, regular bread crumbs can make your meatloaf soggy. There is much debate from the best chefs on the perfect meatloaf recipe, but they agree that you should use Panko breadcrumbs.
How long do you cook a meatloaf at 375 degrees?
With the oven set to a temperature of 375, a 1½ pound meatloaf will typically take about 50 minutes in an oven with at least a standard size loaf pan.
Why is my meatloaf red inside?
These same nitrates may bind to the meat proteins, preventing them from releasing oxygen molecules as normal during the cooking process. As a result, even when the meat is fully cooked, the proteins remain oxygenated and maintain their red or pink color.
What happens if you eat undercooked meatloaf?
Symptoms of contamination usually include diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and fever, per CDC. This can last from 6 to 24 hours after eating undercooked meat, and from 24 hours to days depending on the type of bacteria.
How many eggs should I put in meatloaf?
How many eggs can be added to the meat loaf pan? The average meatloaf recipe calls for about 2 pounds. Ground meat typically contains two to three (lightly beaten) eggs. This creates a ground egg to beef string ratio of 1 to 1½ eggs per pound of meat in the recipe.
Crackers. Crushed crackers make an excellent breadcrumb substitute in baked dishes such as meatballs and meatloaf. Crackers work similarly to breadcrumbs to hold the meat mixture together, and using varieties like savory saltines or butterlits is a great way to add additional flavor to the dish.
Can you substitute cracker crumbs for bread crumbs in meatloaf?
Try crushing brine crackers instead of breadcrumbs in meatloaf or meatballs. The crackers have a mild flavor and can turn into fairly fine crumbs. Before using, speed up the food processor.
Do you cook meatloaf covered or uncovered?
Cover one large meatloaf with aluminum foil during cooking to keep it moist but clear for the last 15 minutes of baking. Meatloaf is very suitable for being frozen raw for later cooking or for cooking, freezing, and reheating.” Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a 9×5-inch loaf pan with
What can I use instead of tomato sauce in meatloaf?
Tomato paste instead of tomato sauce. If you have a can of tomato paste in your pantry, you are in luck. This is the best alternative to tomato sauce. All you need is tomato paste and water. Mix one part tomato paste and one part water until well combined. Then taste and season the “sauce”.
What temperature do you bake meatloaf?
The oven temperature is usually set at 350 degrees F for making meatloaf. That is the temperature you want to be sure to use so that the meatloaf does not cook and dry out. If it is too high, the outer crust will burn before the interior is cooked all the way through.