14 Meat Loaf Recipes to Spice Up Your Comfort Food Dinner Plans (2024)

Taste the ways budget-friendly, back-to-basics meat loaf can incorporate the fresh flavors you love. We've given the classic comfort food a makeover with international ingredients, healthy spins, and even use of some of your favorite appliances (i.e. slow cookers and air fryers). Don't worry, we've still got the traditional meat loaf recipes you know and love as well.

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Best Meat Loaf

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When it comes to classics, our tried-and-true best meat loaf recipe is hard to beat. Sauteéd vegetables, two types of ground meat, and bread crumbs combine for a moist, flavorful family meal. Combine ketchup and brown sugar for a classic glaze, or try one of our four fantastic variations featuring fruit preserves.

How to Perfect Your Egg to Meat Ratio for Mouthwatering Meat Loaf

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Italian-Style Slow Cooker Meat Loaf

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Tuck roasted red peppers, onion, andzucchiniinto a ground beef and lamb mixture to boost this slow cooker meat loaf's flavor and nutrients. Balsamic vinegar and crumbled feta cheese add Italian flavor to the simple supper.

How to Perfect Your Egg to Meat Ratio for Mouthwatering Meat Loaf

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Meat Loaf Muffins

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Rethink dinner with this super cute meat loaf recipe made with a little muffin tin magic. A scoop of sour cream-and-chive mashed potatoes joins the mini loaves with an irresistible chili-cranberry glaze filling.

How to Perfect Your Egg to Meat Ratio for Mouthwatering Meat Loaf

Pizza-Topped Meat Loaf

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Piled with slices of roma tomatoes and seasoned with plenty of fresh parsley, basil, and garlic, thispizza-inspiredmeat loaf recipe is baked in a round "pie" and is brimming with flavor. Serve with a side of marinara for spooning on top of each cheesy slice.

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Slow Cooker Taco Meat Loaf

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We've slow-cooked meat loaf to perfection and piled it into a warm corn tortilla. The Mexican-inspired meat loaf recipe joins smoky homemade salsa, creamy avocado, and spicy jalapeños.

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Air-Fried Mini Italian Meatloaves Stuffed with Cheese

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Yes,your trusty air fryercan make comforting meat loaves, too. With pepperoni, basil pesto, and fresh mozzarella involved, this stuffed meat loaf recipe gives major pizza flavors (with way fewer carbs). Bonus: these beauties are ready in less than an hour.

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Mix-and-Match Meat Loaf

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Next-Day Grilled Meat Loaf Sandwich

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Leftovers never tasted better. These hearty sandwiches—filled with provolone cheese, roasted red pepper, and last night's meat loaf—are simple to grill indoors on agrill pan. Theroasted garlicmayo makes an excellent topper.

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Pasta and Meatballs Meat Loaf

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With penne pasta folded into mini meat loaves, these open-face sandwiches combine all the favorites of a traditional Italian supper, right down to the garlic bread. Theall-in-one dinner recipeyields six individual servings, so no one will have to share the hearty family favorite.

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Mini Meat Loaves with Brussels Sprouts and Potatoes

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This meat loaf recipe features teriyaki sauce to give an umami-rich finish. Bonus: It's a freezer-friendly recipe that makes enough for 8 servings, so you can save half for a quick meal in the future.

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Moroccan Meat Loaf

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Lighten up your menu with this hearty turkey meat loaf recipe. It's got an irresistible blend of raisins, couscous, curry powder, and cinnamon. Topped with spiced tomato chutney, this Moroccan-inspired spin on traditional meat loaf is about to become a new favorite.

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Greens, Eggs, and Ham Loaf

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Take a cue from the classic children's book and bake this pork and ham loaf for aweekend brunchor delicious dinner. A no-cook mock Hollandaise sauce adds rich, tangy flavor.

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Nutty Meatless Loaf

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This vegan meat loaf recipe is so good, even the carnivores will ask for second helpings. Lentils, brown rice, vegetables, and nuts combine to make ahearty vegetarian mealthat's packed with protein and flavor. Garam masala (a blend of warm spices such as cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, and dried chiles) provides an unforgettable flavor.

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Mini Turkey Meat Loaves with Walnut-Parsley Gremolata

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When you want a comforting meal that'slight on calories, opt for this turkey meat loaf recipe. Each mini loaf only has 270 calories and is bulked up with healthy ingredients such as mushrooms, oats, dried tomatoes, and onion. The gremolata topping featuring walnuts, lemon peel, and parsley makes one refreshing, crunchy bite.