General Question

ubersiren's avatar

Can someone give me an idea for a twist on the traditional meatloaf?

Asked by ubersiren (15208points) April 17th, 2009

My husband isn’t a big meatloaf fan (food or musician) but all I have in the freezer is ground beef. I have onion, egg, and bread crumbs for the filler and stuff, but is there anything semi simple that I can add to make it a little more special? Or perhaps you know of a whole new ground beef idea I could try? Only thing is I can’t go get any wacky ingredients because I have to stay at the house today because the kitchen gods are delivering our new cabinets and appliances. Thanks.

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26 Answers

3or4monsters's avatar

Worschesthsckther sauce. Or however its spelled. My aunt makes a meatloaf that mixes that and ketchup, and it’s delicious.

miasmom's avatar

BbQ Sauce, we add that to our meatloaf and it is yummy. We also cook it in muffin tins and it makes mini meatloaves.

jonsblond's avatar

@3or4monsters I always add worcestershire sauce to my meatloaf too. It’s really tasty.

You could add salsa and/or taco seasoning to give it a different taste.

SeventhSense's avatar

Mushrooms and also beef stock along with the eggs onions and breadcrumbs will keep it moist. Worcestershire sauce, parmesan cheese, sausage, chopped tomatoes. You can wrap it with bacon slices. The things you can add to meatloaf are endless.
Ground pork, ground veal and ground beef mixed make the most flavorful meatloaf.

3or4monsters's avatar

@SeventhSense Wrap it in bacon… I NEED TO MAKE MEATLOAF.

evelyns_pet_zebra's avatar

When I make meatloaf, I add chorizo, gives it a nice kick. I also add a tablespoon of my favorite hot sauce to the ketchup topping. Worschestershire sauce is good too.

@3or4monsters, don’t worry, I don’t think anyone can spell it correctly.

susanc's avatar

@3or4monsters: big lurve for “worchesthsckther”.

I ran out of eggs once and threw in sour cream. It shouldn’t have worked, but it was
amazingly good. Not identifiable, but it put richness and moisture in and the meatloaf was looser than if it had had eggs to bind it and that was fine. You know how meatloaf can be kind of rubbery? Not this way.

Just in case you happen to have sour cream in your fridge…

ru2bz46's avatar

Yes, bacon-wrapped meatloaf is my favorite way to make it. Using different meats is also good. Try ground beaver if you get the chance. Yum!

Sticking with the ingedients on hand, if I’m not in the mood for meatloaf, per se, I’ll mix it up the same, but form it into patties, add salt, pepper, and garlic, then fry. Also, like I mentioned before in this post, drop a large mound of cheddar cheese on top, cover and let the cheese melt and get crispy on the non-stick pan.

Also, if you have it, bleu cheese is fantastic on the burger form, or mixed into the meat before cooking.

ubersiren's avatar

MMM! If I combine some of these, I can make a kick ass meatloaf! I’m getting psyched!

Mmmmm… BAAACON INDEED.

@miasmom: I love the muffin tin idea!

augustlan's avatar

@ubersiren Is that squeeze bacon for real?!? Gotta’ love Think Geek.

Shredded cheese is a good addition to meatloaf, too.

chyna's avatar

I add a packet of the ranch dressing mix.

miasmom's avatar

@ubersiren If you do the mini meatloaves, it’s 400 degrees for about 20 minutes.

skfinkel's avatar

Cheese is good, like a layer in the middle, like a cake. And on top.

ubersiren's avatar

The squeeze bacon was an April fools joke they did. Ha!

@miasmom: thank you!

ru2bz46's avatar

Yes, @augustlan, just like the iGrill.

Strauss's avatar

I once saw a meatloaf served with one or two hard boiled eggs (whole) formed in the center of it. Also, if you have any bell peppers (or the hot kind, if hubby’s into that) chop that up and throw it into the mix.

ubersiren's avatar

@Yetanotheruser : Hard boiled eggs sounds interesting. I would love that, but I think it would freak out my guy. I will try it when I’m dining alone sometime!

@miasmom: This may be a stupid question, but do you use muffin papers or anything to line the cups?

So, I think I’m going to try a combination of a whole bunch of your suggestions, folks. Thanks so much!

miasmom's avatar

@ubersiren I don’t use anything to line them, I’ve never had a problem with sticking, you could just lightly spray with cooking spray if you are concerned, but I don’t think you’ll have a problem.

MissAusten's avatar

I use the meatloaf recipe on Lipton Onion Soup mix, and add crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese—Bacon Onion Cheeseburger Meatloaf. Mmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!

laureth's avatar

Instead of using a loaf pan, use a big flat pan like a cookie sheet. (Just make sure it has sides to catch the escaped juice.) Then, form the “loaf” as a mound in the middle. This allows the meat to get nice and browned on all the sides (except the bottom, of course), instead of just on top as with a loaf pan. Baste with the juices during cooking. :)

SeventhSense's avatar

@ubersiren
OMG squeeze bacon! The apocalypse has arrived.

SeventhSense's avatar

Oh and you can brush it with ketchup. It caramelizes the sugars and creates a nice glaze which helps seal in moisture. Unless of course you wrap it in bacon which also does the trick.

NaturalMineralWater's avatar

Replace the meat, onions and spices with apple pie.

TheKNYHT's avatar

I make a meatloaf with half hamburger and half turkey meat; a lot less greasy that way. Also, diced portabello mushrooms, finely chopped onion (half of one small one), green peppers and sun dried tomatos. Also some chopped spinach, and one packet of Lipton Onion Soup mix. One egg, qtr cup of hot water (to be added right after the soup mix packet). Mix the whole thing, spread into a pan, cover it with your fav pasta sauce: I love Newmans Own, Classico, or Barilla, and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Its kinda like a giant, wrectangular Italian meatball.

therookie's avatar

I use bread crumbs, eggs, oinions, green peppers,
and for the topping French Salad dressing.

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