When I crave meatloaf, there is no compromise – I must make it. It is an ultimate comfort food from my childhood. This is the easiest meatloaf, and it is delicious! The stuffing mix adds so much flavor and replaces traditional breadcrumbs beautifully. Sometimes I add finely minced onion to the mixture, and it is fantastic.
My husband loves boxed stuffing, so I keep some on hand. If you don’t have any, grab a box at the store! There is nothing to chop which makes this incredibly easy – unless you want to add minced onion which takes just a minute, so the recipe is still very quick to prepare.
Something different, and even more quick, is making the meatloaf in a muffin tin. We love it this way! I do make it in a loaf pan and the leftovers make great sandwiches. I remember this from my childhood, and it is still a great way to enjoy it!
Ingredients
1 lb. ground beef
1 4oz. box of stuffing – chicken flavored
2 Eggs
¾ cup Chili Sauce or ketchup
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350° F. Grease a loaf pan.
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef and the stuffing mix.
Add the eggs, and ¼ cup of the chili Sauce. Mix well.
Add salt and pepper if desired.
Transfer the meat mixture into the pan.
Bake in the oven for 40 – 45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160° F.
Once it reaches temperature, spread the remaining chili sauce over top and turn the oven to broil.
Broil for 2-3 minutes or until the top begins to bubble and get some caramelization.
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Cut into slices and serve!
Notes
• You can add finely minced onion, carrots, or celery if you would like. The stuffing does have vegetables for flavor but adding more to the mix is a great way to include more vegetables.
• Instead of the chili sauce, ketchup, or BBQ sauce work wonderfully.
• You can use any flavor stuffing that you prefer. I typically use the chicken, but feel free to use whichever is your favorite.
• If you make them in a muffin tin, still set the oven to 350° F but bake for 20 minutes, add the chili sauce, and leave in for 5-10 more minutes. I don’t broil them when I use a muffin tin.
• To make it gluten free, you can find gluten free stuffing mix which works just as well. It is sometimes harder to find so if you want to make it gluten free, grab a few boxes of the stuffing when you find it.
• I recommend using a meat thermometer – especially if making the meatloaf in as a loaf. This will ensure the internal temperature is at 160° F and the meat is cooked through.