The Best Meatloaf Masterpiece: A Recipe and Reheating Guide
Meatloaf, a timeless comfort food, has graced dinner tables with its hearty goodness for generations. In this blog post, we’ll explore a mouthwatering meatloaf recipe that promises to be a star at any gathering. But what if you find yourself with leftovers? Fear not, for we’ll also delve into the best ways to reheat meatloaf, ensuring its flavors are as delightful as the first bite.
Serving a delicious meatloaf with mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts is one of my family’s favorite dinners. The best meatloaf masterpiece: a recipe and reheating guide is how we make this dinner come together. This favorite meatloaf recipe is bursting with fresh herb flavor and tangy tomato ketchup – and is a classic comfort food. Don’t forget about the best leftover meatloaf sandwich the next day!
Recipe: Hearty Herbs de Provence Meatloaf (Makes 1 Meatloaf)
This recipe makes 1 meat loaves, you can divide it in half and make one if you like. I figure if I am getting all the ingredients out, it’s a good idea to make one for the freezer.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds of ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp Herbs de Provence
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
Instructions For The Best Meatloaf Masterpiece: A Recipe and Reheating Guide
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix the Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Herbs de Provence, salt, pepper, ketchup, and Dijon mustard. Mix the ingredients thoroughly until well combined. Hands work the best (I prefer gloves). Combine the ingredients but do not overmix.
3. Shape the Meatloaf:
- Shape the meatloaf. Place the meatloaf on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or spray with cooking spray.
4. Bake to Perfection:
- Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for approximately 1 hour or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 160°F (71°C) using an instant-read meat thermometer. The top of the meatloaf should be browned, and the loaves should be firm.
5. Let it Rest:
- Allow the meatloaf to rest for about 10 minutes on a platter before slicing. (Don’t let a meatloaf sit in the grease on the pan because it will be absorbed) This helps retain the juices and ensures a moist texture.
Notes:
-A Frozen meatloaf can be cooked directly from frozen on a large pan. The cooking time will be longer but follow the steps above.
How To Store Hearty Herbs de Provence Meatloaf From The Best Meatloaf Masterpiece: A Recipe and Reheating Guide
If only baking one loaf, secure the second whole meatloaf by wrapping it in plastic wrap and placing it in a freezer bag. The double wrap will prevent freezer burn for up to 9 months.
To store any cooked meatloaf – place leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
What To Serve With Hearty Herbs de Provence Meatloaf
The best way to serve meatloaf is with its best friend -mashed potatoes! Check out these delicious side dishes:
- Classic mashed potatoes
- Oven roasted potatoes with rosemary butter
- Creamed peas and new potatoes
- Rutabaga
- Brussels Sprouts (Maple, bacon, and balsamic)
- Kohlrabi
- Green bean casserole (from scratch)
- Pumpkin soup
- Polish tomato soup
- Curried potato corn chowder
- Irish farmhouse vegetable soup
- Roasted carrots and asparagus
- Red cabbage slaw
- Italian pasta salad
- Dirty rice
- Saffron rice
Best Ways to Reheat Meatloaf For The Best Meatloaf Masterpiece: A Recipe and Reheating Guide
The main objective is not to dry out individual slices of meatloaf and there are more than a couple of ways to achieve this. For the best results follow these simple steps. (results may vary if you have very thick slices) These are some of the best methods:
1. Oven Reheating (Preferred method)
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Place 2-3 slices of meatloaf in an oven-safe dish or baking tray, add a splash of beef broth or tomato sauce, cover with foil, and bake for about 15-20 minutes. This method retains moisture and reheats the meatloaf evenly. (Best end result) Set the baking dish on a wire rack to cool.
2. Skillet Reheating
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a little bit of olive oil or butter. Place meatloaf slices in the skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes on each side. This method adds a delightful crust to the reheated slices. Even a little bit of warm water is a great way to avoid dry meatloaf.
3. Microwave Reheating
- While not the optimal choice, the microwave can be convenient for quick reheating. Place slices on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel or microwave cover, and heat in short 30-second increments to avoid drying out the meatloaf. (1-2 minutes is all it takes)
4. Grilling Reheating
- For a unique twist, reheat meatloaf slices on a grill. Brush with some barbecue sauce and grill for a few minutes on each side until heated through. Grilled meatloaf gets a new life!
5. Steamer
- For extra moist meatloaf try using a steamer basket just above boiling water. Steam until heated through.
6. Air Fryer
- Don’t reheat the entire meatloaf – only do a couple of slices at a time for more even heat.
7. Slow Cooker
- This method is not recommended for reheating, however, you can use one of the other methods to reheat the remaining meatloaf and then keep it warm in a slow cooker or crock pot.
8. Toaster Oven
- Heat the toaster oven to 350 degrees F and place a few slices of meatloaf in a single layer on a baking tray. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, flipping halfway through.
Wrapping Up The Best Meatloaf Masterpiece: A Recipe and Reheating Guide
With this hearty Herbs de Provence traditional meatloaf recipe, you’ll delight your taste buds and those of your loved ones. And when it comes to reheating the leftovers, choose the method that suits your preferences for texture and convenience. Whether you opt for the oven’s slow warmth, the skillet’s sizzle, the microwave’s speed, or the grill’s charred touch, your meatloaf will be ready for an encore performance, maintaining its deliciousness with each reheated bite. Enjoy the comfort and versatility of this classic dish!
Recipe Card For The Best Meatloaf Masterpiece: A Recipe and Reheating Guide
Hearty Herbs de Provence Meatloaf (Makes 1 large Meatloaf)
Ingredients
- 3 pounds ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp Herbs de Provence
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix the Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, Herbs de Provence, salt, pepper, ketchup, and Dijon mustard. Mix the ingredients thoroughly until well combined. Hands work the best. Combine the ingredients but do not overmix.
- Shape the Meatloaf:
- Shape the meatloaf into a rectangle. Place the loaf on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or spray with cooking spray.
- Bake to Perfection:
- Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for approximately 1 hour or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 160°F (71°C) using an instant-read meat thermometer. The top of the meatloaf should be browned, and the loaves should be firm.
- Let it Rest:
- Allow the meatloaf to rest for about 10 minutes on a platter before slicing. (Don't meatloaf sit in the grease on the pan because it will be absorbed) This helps retain the juices and ensures a moist texture.
Love meatloaf!! Yummy recipe.