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This flavorful Stove Top Stuffing Meatloaf recipe brings together ground beef and classic Stove Top Stuffing for a delicious dinner. With the addition of herbs, BBQ sauce, an egg and Dijon mustard, it’s an easy and satisfying meal that the whole family will love. Finish it off with a topping of ketchup for a truly mouthwatering experience.
Stove Top Stuffing Meatloaf
Looking for the best meatloaf recipe that’s both easy to make and bursting with flavor? Look no further than our Stove Top Stuffing Meatloaf! By incorporating the savory goodness of stuffing mix into a traditional ground beef mixture, this recipe takes your classic meatloaf to a whole new level. Baked in a loaf pan, it pairs wonderfully with creamy mashed potatoes for a comforting and satisfying meal. Plus, any leftovers make for fantastic sandwiches the next day.
Ingredient notes
- Olive Oil: Use extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) to lightly grease the pan and add a subtle flavor to the meatloaf.
- Ground Beef: Opt for ground beef with a higher fat content, around 80-85% lean, to ensure a moist and flavorful meatloaf. Lean beef may result in a dry texture.
- Stovetop Stuffing (boxed mix): You can find this classic boxed stuffing in most grocery stores, usually near the instant mashed potatoes. Any flavor of the Stove Top brand stuffing will work, but popular choices are Savory Herb and Traditional Sage.
- Milk: While a higher fat content milk adds richness, you can use any type of milk. Additionally, you can substitute it with water or beef broth, which adds a delicious flavor to the meatloaf.
- Egg: An essential ingredient that acts as a binding agent, helping to hold the meatloaf together.
- BBQ Sauce or Ketchup: The choice is based on personal preference. The first adds a smoky and slightly sweet flavor, while ketchup offers a classic taste.
- Garlic: Adding minced garlic enhances the overall taste of the meatloaf, infusing it with a wonderful depth of flavor.
- Italian Seasoning: This dried herb blend typically includes basil, oregano, sage, and thyme. If preferred, you can use finely chopped fresh parsley as an alternative.
- Dijon Mustard: It adds a tangy flavor to the meatloaf. However, if you prefer a milder taste, you can use regular yellow mustard instead.
- Salt and Pepper: These staple spices are essential for enhancing the flavors of all the ingredients in the meatloaf, ensuring a well-seasoned and tasty dish.
How To Make Stove Top Stuffing Meatloaf
In a bowl, mix ground beef, stuffing mix, milk, egg, mustard, BBQ sauce, garlic, seasoning, salt, and pepper until combined. Don’t overmix.
Transfer the meat mixture to the loaf pan and press it down evenly. Use your fingers or a spoon to create a well along the edges.
Bake for approximately 45-50 minutes. Remove and evenly spread the ketchup over the top of the meatloaf.
Bake further for 10-15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (72°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. Remove from the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
What flavor Stove Top Should I use?
You can use any flavor of box Stove Top stuffing mix for this meatloaf recipe. Some popular choices are Savory Herb and Traditional Sage, but feel free to choose the flavor that appeals to your taste preferences.
Do You Cook The Stuffing Before You Put It In The Meatloaf?
No, you do not need to cook the stuffing before putting it in the meatloaf. Add the stuffing mix to the meatloaf mixture in its dry form. As it bakes, the moisture from the other ingredients will soften and cook the stuffing, resulting in a flavorful and moist meatloaf.
Recipe Tips
- Use a higher fat ground beef, such as 80-85% lean, to ensure a juicy and flavorful meatloaf.
- Experiment with different flavors of Stove Top Stuffing mix to customize the taste of your meatloaf. Traditional Sage and Savory Herb are popular choices.
- Be careful not to overwork the meatloaf mixture. Mix until just incorporated for a tender meatloaf.
- Lightly greasing the loaf pan with olive oil or cooking spray will help prevent the meatloaf from sticking.
- Allow the meatloaf to rest for about 10 minutes after baking to make it easier to slice and retain its moisture.
- Reserve the pan juices after removing the cooked meatloaf from the pan. Drizzle them over the sliced meatloaf for extra flavor and moisture.
- If cooking for a larger group, consider doubling the recipe and using a larger baking pan or divide the mixture into individual-sized portions for convenience.
- To add extra moisture, cover it with foil during the initial part of baking and remove it later for browning.
Is It Best To Cook Meatloaf Covered Or Uncovered?
We recommend cooking meatloaf uncovered. It allows the exterior of the meatloaf to brown and develop a delicious crust while allowing excess moisture to evaporate. However, if you notice that the top of the meatloaf is browning too quickly or becoming too dry, you can cover it with aluminum foil. This helps retain moisture and prevents excessive browning.
Variations
- Gravy Mix: For a easier version, use brown gravy mix for flavor. Combine 2 pounds of ground beef, a 6-ounce box of Stove Top Stuffing mixed with 1 cup of hot water, 1 packet of brown gravy mix mixed with 1 cup of cold water, and 2 large eggs. Combine the ingredients after the stuffing has soaked in hot water, then add your desired topping and bake as directed.
- Vegetable Blend: Enhance the flavor and moisture of your stove top stuffing meatloaf by adding sautéed vegetables. Chop onions, celery, bell peppers, yellow squash, zucchini, and carrots into small pieces and lightly sauté them in olive oil or butter. Mix them into the meatloaf mixture before baking for added texture and nutrition.
- Eggless: If you prefer an eggless meatloaf, you can use 1 teaspoon of unflavored gelatin as a binding agent. Dissolve the gelatin in half a cup of beef stock and let it sit for a while. Then incorporate it into the meatloaf mixture before baking.
- Experiment with seasonings: Feel free to use Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder or your favorite spice blend.
How To Serve
- With mashed potatoes and green beans for a classic comfort meal
- As a sandwich with toppings and pickles or slaw
- With gravy, mashed or roasted potatoes, and veggies
- Alongside a fresh salad for a lighter option
- As sliders on mini buns with customizable toppings
- With pasta and marinara, topped with Parmesan and herbs
How to Store Leftover Meatloaf
You can store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Ensure it cools completely before placing it in an airtight container or wrapping it securely with plastic cling film or heavy-duty aluminum foil.
Freeze
If you want to freeze the leftover meatloaf, allow it to cool and then tightly wrap it with heavy-duty foil or use freezer bags. Place it in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheat
When reheating, you can place the leftover meatloaf in an oven-safe dish, add a bit of water or beef broth, and cover it with aluminum foil. Heat it at 250°F (120°C) in the center rack of your oven. After 25-30 minutes, your meatloaf should be heated through. Be cautious not to overheat, as it can draw out the moisture. The reheating time may vary based on the portion size of your meatloaf.
Frequently Asked Questions
A popular combination is beef and pork, but you can also incorporate other meats like ground turkey, lamb or veal. It’s important to maintain a ratio of approximately 80-85% meat to 15-20% fat to ensure optimal moisture in the meatloaf. Feel free to experiment and find the meat combination that suits your taste preferences.
Yes, you can use lean ground beef for Stove Top Meatloaf. However, keep in mind that leaner ground beef may result in a slightly drier texture compared to using a higher-fat ground beef.
It’s a common method, especially when you prefer a meatloaf with a crust all around. Just shape the meatloaf mixture into a loaf shape and place it on a greased or lined sheet. Ensure that it has raised edges to catch any drippings. Bake the meatloaf in the oven according to the recipe instructions.
More Ground Beef Recipes
- Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe-Ground beef, vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes come together in this delicious dish. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner!
- Hamburger Gravy-A delicious comfort food that pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes or rice. This easy recipe is packed with flavor and will satisfy your cravings in no time!
- Travis Scott Burger-A mouthwatering burger featuring juicy beef, melted cheese, crispy bacon, and tangy special sauce.
- Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf-This classic recipe combines ground beef with the rich flavors of Lipton Onion Soup mix, creating a moist and flavorful meatloaf that will have your taste buds begging for more.
- Philly Cheesesteak Meatloaf Recipe-Enjoy all the deliciousness of a classic Philly Cheesesteak in a mouthwatering meatloaf form.
- Taco Meatloaf-Packed with bold taco flavors, it’s a delicious and satisfying dinner option.
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Stove Top Stuffing Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds ground beef, 80-85% lean ground beef
- 6 oz. Stove Top Stuffing, boxed mix
- 1/3 cup milk, chicken/beef broth or water
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce, or ketchup
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, or ¼cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup ketchup for the topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease the inside of your loaf pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, stuffing mix, milk, egg, Dijon mustard, BBQ sauce, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Mix all the ingredients until well incorporated. But don’t overmix!
- Place the meat mixture into the loaf pan and press it evenly throughout. Use your fingers or a spoon to push down along the edges and create a well.
- Bake the meatloaf in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 45-50 minutes. Remove from the oven and evenly spread the ketchup over the top. Bake further for 10-15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (72°C). Once done, remove from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I made this recipe tonight. Will let you know how good it was after supper.
I can’t wait to hear how it turned out! Hope you enjoy it! 😊
This was pure comfort food! The stuffing mix gave it so much flavor, and it was incredibly moist. My new favorite meatloaf recipe!
Michael, that’s awesome! So glad you loved it. Comfort food at its best!