What are some unique ingredients that would be good in meatloaf?!
Answers: Looking to update the boring old meatloaf recipe.
I make my meatloaf like usual, then you can flatten it out jelly roll style layer mozzarella cheese and spinach, then roll it up and seal the edges. Bake as usual. My kids won't eat it plain anymore.
Use flavored croutons instead of bread. Add some carrots and onions for moisture.
I like to chop up green pepper and onion real fine and mix it in.
my step mom makes the best meatloaf though- make your usual meatlloaf in a caek pan, once cooked add a thin layer of tomato paste, top with home made mashed potatoes and american cheese, bake for a couple more minutes till the cheese is melty, it's SO GOOD!
I have made stuffed Italian Meatloaf before. Mix Italian seasonings in with meat and stuff with grated cheddar cheese. You can also stuff with mashed potatoes. Even other veggies of your choice.
squash or zucchini?
all the other ideas sound great ive put onion and green pepper in my meatloaf too...maybe try some salsa..my aunt makes hers that way and its pretty good
I use ground beef, italian sausage ( hot or mild, your choice ) and veal ( optional ) enough for 1-1/2 or 2 pounds
I agree with the answerer who said croutons. I also have had some leftover stove top stuffing ( in the canister ) i used about a cup of that. I like green peppers in mine as well as onion. Then top off with a tomato gravy
Gravy
1/2 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, smashed
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 bay leaf
1 (15-ounce) can low-sodium chicken broth
1 (15 1/2-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Cook the onions, garlic, and oregano in the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned, about 6 minutes. Add the tomato paste and bay leaf. Stir until paste turns brick red and garlic is fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken broth and crushed tomatoes. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook sauce until it thickens, about 5 minutes. Whisk in Parmesan cheese, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Discard the bay leaf and transfer the sauce to a gravy boat. Slice the meatloaf and serve with the gravy.
My husband makes a great meatloaf, (I did not like meatloaf til I had this)
Hamburger, egg, salt and pepper, bread crumbs. Mix together and on a piece of wax paper make a rectangle with the hamburger. On top put deli sliced ham, sliced Swiss cheese and on top make a ridge down the middle with either green olives or black olives. Simply roll the whole thing up seam side down and bake. I know this is not exactly the recipe but I can get it and post later if you would like.
I use worcestershire sauce and ketchup to flavor mine. I don't know if that is the "boring old meatloaf recipe" that you have, but I really like it that way.
Or my friend uses italian bread crumbs and spaghetti sauce instead of ketchup in hers to make it italian.
Replace the bread crumbs with oatmeal, bulgur, or cracked wheat. Very yummy.
I like to chop up onions and mince some garlic and add some frozen corn to the meat itself and mix that all together with a little Caribean Jerk marinade. I have found that mixing an egg or two into the meat eliminates the need for any breadbrumbs and the loaf stays together fine. I also like to stuff my meatloaf with bleu cheese for an extra bit of tang.
Another fun idea is to make mini-meatloafs. Use your cupcake tins so everyone gets their own little loaf, just be careful to keep an eye on the tins in case you need to drain the fat during cooking. The mini's cook a lot quicker and kids love em.
# Finely grated orange or lemon zest makes a great flavor booster for meatloaves.
# Meatloaf doesn't have to be a loaf! Try baking one in a ring mold, then fill the center with green peas, beans or other vegetables, creamed mushrooms, , mashed potatoes, gravy or whatever else your creative little mind comes up with.
# Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is an easy meatloaf flavor booster. Try adding 1/4 - 1/3 cup to your recipe.
I got this recipe from rachel ray, it's indivisual muffin sized meatloaves with barbeque sauce on top and mixed inside. It's really good.
I also add parmesian cheese and marinara sauce, almost like a big meatball!
Bread crumbs/pieces, onions, garlic, bell pepper, kalamata olives, raisins, etc.
...peanut butter...don't laugh...it tastes good in meat loaf...add about a half cup
This is my favorite and my kids and husband can't get enough of it, enjoy!
Moms Sweet & Sour Meatloaf
Sauce:
2 small cans tomato sauce
1/4 cup worchestershire sauce
1/2 onion chopped
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1/2 cup brown sugar
Mix all sauce ingredients together in bowl, set aside.
Ingredients (Meatloaf):
2 pounds ground beef
1/2 chopped onion
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup or more if needed, quick oatmeal (not instant)
1 teaspoon garlic salt
In another bowl add ground beef, 1/2 chopped onion, egg, oatmeal, garlic salt, pepper, and 1/3 of the sauce mixture. Mix together well.
Place in pan, making space between meat and pan around edges with fingers. Flatten top, spread more sauce over top and cook 1 hour, at 350F. Drain off grease half way (30 min) and add more sauce. Reserve some sauce for adding when served. The oatmeal disappears, is healthy and you can't taste it. It just holds it together better. Add more if you need it.
STUFFED MEATLOAF! Excellent and easy!
Make the meat mixture the "boring way." Form it into a bowl shape and save a hunk for the "lid." In the center I have put SO MANY different things...Try spinach & bleu cheese or broccoli & cheddar in the center. Just cover with the lid, seal and bake.
I top mine with a mixture of ketchup, brown sugar, and ground mustard. This came from Martha herself.