Mini Meatloaf in a Muffin Tin Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you cover meatloaf when baking at 350? ›

Should I cook my meatloaf covered or uncovered? The meatloaf can be cooked uncovered. However, if you are concerned about it burning, you can cover the meatloaf with foil for the first 45 minutes and uncover it for the final 15 minutes to allow the meatloaf to brown on top.

The oven temperature is typically set at 350 degrees F for making meatloaf. That's the temperature you want to be sure to use so the meatloaf cooks and doesn't dry out. Too high, and the outer crust will burn before the interior is cooked all the way, too low and you don't get that delicious crust.

The most traditional meatloaf binder is probably torn up bread soaked in milk, but you can also use bread crumbs, Panko, dehydrated potato (instant mashed potatoes), or just about any other grain.

Lining your loaf pan with parchment paper creates a nonstick surface that makes it easy to get the meatloaf out of the pan when it's done.

The best temperature to cook the meatloaf at is 350°F and it requires about 1 hour, give or take a few minutes, depending on size and shape. 1 hour should be more than enough for a 2 pound meatloaf.

How long to cook meatloaf at 375°F? At 375°F a 1 lb meatloaf will take about 25 to 30 minutes for the meatloaf temp to reach 160°F. A 2 lb meatloaf will take about 40 to 50 minutes for the meatloaf temp to reach 160°F. A 3 lb meatloaf will take about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes for the meatloaf temp to reach 160°F.

Leaving the meatloaf uncovered allows the top to develop a nice, crispy crust. The exposed surface caramelizes and browns, adding a visual appeal and pleasant contrast in texture as well as great flavor. Uncovering the loaf also helps excess moisture evaporate, giving the meatloaf a firmer consistency.

Toward the end of the cooking time (our standard two-pound meatloaf takes about one hour), follow this simple method to know when it's done. Use an instant-read thermometer ($18, Walmart). The meat loaf's internal temperature should register 160°F when the thermometer is inserted into the center.

In essence, it boils down to a few simple steps: Combine ground meat, eggs, breadcrumbs, and other flavorful ingredients of your choice. Put this mixture in a lightly greased loaf pan and bake it until it's cooked through.

Bread crumbs serve as a binding agent for the loaf, helping it not crumble after it's cooked.

Why do you put milk in meatloaf? ›

Milk and other dairy products, like heavy cream and buttermilk, contain both water and fat, adding two types of moisture to our meatloaf. There's a long-held theory that milk can tenderize ground meat, and this is the reason often cited for cooking ground meat in milk to make a Bolognese-style ragù.

When choosing a baking pan, avoid a small loaf pan or baking dish. A tight fit means that the loaf will steam — think school cafeteria meatloaf. Instead, use a sheet pan or a large baking dish and leave some breathing room so the edges will caramelize nicely.

By free-forming a meatloaf—not cooking it in a loaf pan—we get maximum surface area exposure, and therefore maximum flavor. So not only does it make it easier to slice and guard against sogginess, but mounding your meatloaf instead of panning it also makes your meatloaf literally tastier.

Let the loaf cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. If you baked the meatloaf in a loaf pan, carefully drain off the liquid fat before transferring the meatloaf to a clean cutting board.

The foil or lid also helps the meat retain its moisture, which is useful when cooking with lean meats (like chicken or turkey). On the other hand, if you cook your meatloaf uncovered, the excess moisture will evaporate, resulting in a firmer meatloaf with a crispy crust and caramelized glaze.

Covered Meatloaf

This method is particularly useful if you're making your loaf with a leaner meat that tends to dry out quickly. Additionally, covering the meatloaf can speed up the cooking process, ensuring that it cooks thoroughly without over-browning.

Baking technique

This recipe for Best Meatloaf gives you a clever 3-step approach: You'll bake the meatloaf for 40 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to fully cook the inside, and then increase the heat to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 15 minutes to give the outside a tasty crust.

There are a few ways to reheat cooked meatloaf: Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the meatloaf in a baking dish and cover it with foil. Heat the meatloaf for 20-30 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).