Meatloaf is a dish of ground beef that is typically combined with other ingredients and formed into the shape of a loaf, then baked or smoked.
The final shape is either hand-formed on a baking tray, or pan-formed by cooking it in a loaf pan.
After a meatloaf is baked for around forty minutes, it is usually topped with some sort of sauce, usually tomato. Other variations top meatloaf with brown gravy or barbecue sauce.
Fun Facts About The Meatloaf
Meatloaf ranks high among America’s favorite comfort foods. It was made famous during the Great Depression.
The Vietnamese version of a meatloaf is called chả (a Vietnam sausage). It is boiled rather than baked or smoked.
In the UK there are regional pork meatloaf dishes known as haslet, which can be eaten cold or hot.
Meatloaf is a traditional German, Scandinavian dish and in Belgian meatloaf is referenced as a loaf-bread.
The American style meatloaf is a cousin to the Dutch meatball.
It wasn’t until the late 1800s that the American meatloaf appeared in American cuisine. It was inspired by recipes of the time offered by manufacturers of the newly invented meat grinder.
The first modern American meatloaf was not a dinner time recipe, but originally it was served as a breakfast option.
Instant Pot Meatloaf
2 pounds ground beef
1 cup dry bread crumbs
½ cup diced onion
½ apple – peeled, cored, and diced
2 teaspoons garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Topping
⅓ cup ketchup
2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Combine beef, bread crumbs, onion, apple, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until evenly blended.
Shape the beef mixture into a loaf and place on a large piece of aluminum foil. Fold the foil up and around the edges of the meatloaf, creating a makeshift loaf pan.
Pour 1/2 cup water into a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and place the steam rack inside with the handles up. Place the meatloaf on top of the rack.
Close and lock the lid; seal the vent. Select high pressure according to manufacturer’s instructions; set timer for 25 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven’s broiler.
Release cooker pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer’s instructions, about 5 minutes.
Unlock and remove the lid. Transfer meatloaf, still on the rack, to a baking sheet. Broil meatloaf in the oven until browned, about 5 minutes.
Combine ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Brush over meatloaf and broil again until caramelized, 1 to 2 minutes.
Serve warm with a side dish and a fresh salad.
Try this ground beef recipe – Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet – Gluten-free.
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