How Long To Bake Meatloaf At 400

Few dishes capture the nostalgia and coziness of a home-cooked repast quite like meatloaf. With its humble ingredients and straightforward method, meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food. However, to make the perfect meatloaf that's not likewise mushy still non also hard, y'all have to cook information technology at the right temperature for the right amount of fourth dimension.

For a 2lbs meatloaf made using a 50/fifty blend of pork and beefiness, cook information technology at 400° Fahrenheit for 45 to 50 minutes. If you use an all-beefiness recipe, you can cook it for slightly less time but avoid cooking for less than 30 minutes. Additionally, if yous're making a smaller meatloaf (≤1lbs) be sure not to overcook the loaf to avoid making it dry and crumbly.

A well-fabricated meatloaf should be firm yet juicy and tasty nevertheless well-balanced. If you've never made meatloaf before, keep reading to acquire everything you'll need to know to brand a professional quality meal that your family tin can savor from the condolement of home.

Why Cook Meatloaf at 400°F?

There's a lot of contend about the temperature at which meatloaf should be baked. However, we believe that the ideal temperature to melt meatloaf is 400°F. This temperature will cook the meatloaf evenly throughout then that information technology's non overcooked on the outside and undercooked in the middle. Additionally, cooking meatloaf at 400°F will requite it a squeamish crispy exterior without drying out the interior of the meatloaf.

Best of all, by choosing to bake your meatloaf at 400°F, yous'll shave around 15 minutes off the cooking fourth dimension, freeing you up to spend more fourth dimension with your family at the dinner tabular array. However, it's not the be-all and end-all if you choose to melt your meatloaf at a lower temperature. We'll get into more detail most other cooking temperatures in the next section.

Covering Meatloaf with Aluminum Foil vs. Cooking information technology Uncovered

Many people assume that cooking nether aluminum foil helps to speed up the procedure, but although it's partially true, it produces different results. Past covering a baking tin with foil, yous'll effectively trap oestrus and moisture within, which can melt the food faster, but it also creates a small pocket of steam. So, rather than baking the loaf, foil will crusade it to steam similar a large dumpling.

This is fine if y'all prefer a softer meatloaf without a crusty exterior but, if yous prefer a well-done outside with a soft within, yous're better off leaving the baking tin uncovered. If y'all do cull to bake your meatloaf with an aluminum roofing, check the internal temperature after forty minutes and utilize a cake tester to determine whether you're happy with the inner consistency.

Cooking Meatloaf at 350° and 375°F

If yous accept fourth dimension to spare and prefer a meatloaf that's broiled through still lacks a crispy exterior, cook your meatloaf at a lower temperature. Cooking meatloaf at 350°F will create a meatloaf that's cooked all the way through only nevertheless has some give on the outside. This is a suitable cooking temperature if y'all're feeding young children or elderly family members who prefer softer food.

If you desire a meatloaf with a crispy exterior but don't want to cede whatever juiciness, cook the meatloaf at 375°F. This cooking temperature will requite you a meatloaf that'south crispy on the outside while remaining juicy and moist in the eye.

To cook a 2lbs meatloaf at 350°F, bake for approximately 60 minutes. If yous're cooking at 375°F, bake the meatloaf for fifty to 55 minutes. Equally e'er, we recommend checking the internal temperature of the meatloaf earlier removing it from the oven. The internal temperature of the meatloaf should be 160°F.

Beef, Pork, or a Mixture of Both?

Many abode cooks brand the mistake of baking a dry and crumbly meatloaf that leaves their family members feeling disappointed and unfulfilled. While the perfect meatloaf is a matter of personal preference, nosotros think that the best meatloaf is fabricated with a fifty/l alloy of beef and pork. This perfect ratio will requite you a meatloaf that's flavorful and juicy without beingness too greasy.

If you're looking for a leaner meatloaf, y'all tin apply all beef. Keep in mind that an all-beef meatloaf will take a dissimilar flavor and texture than 1 fabricated with pork. Additionally, an all-beef meatloaf will cook slightly faster than one made with pork so be sure to check the internal temperature oft. Also, you lot can increase the moisture content in an all-beef meatloaf by adding:

Finely chopped or pureed vegetables for added nutrients and season
Extra breadcrumbs to concord and retain some of the fat content
An extra egg for good old-fashioned wet and bounden

Finally, letting the meatloaf sit for 10 to fifteen minutes before removing information technology from the baking tin volition permit some of the juices to settle back into the meat, guaranteeing that you become a moist and delicate final product.

Adding Milk or Water to a Meatloaf

Another way to ensure a moist and flavorful meatloaf is to add together milk when mixing the ingredients together. This volition add moisture to the meatloaf and help to demark the ingredients together. We recommend adding no more than ¼ cup of milk for every pound of meat.

Additionally, you tin can besides soak breadcrumbs in milk for virtually 5 minutes earlier adding them to the meat mixture. This will help to add even more moisture to the meatloaf and ensure a tender final product.

If you are lactose intolerant or take an allergy to dairy products, you can as well substitute water for milk, merely it will not create as rich of a final product. Withal, a fleck of added water will aid to make your meatloaf moister. The trick is to add h2o by the spoonful until the meat, egg, and bread mixture no longer sticks to the side of the mixing bowl.

Additional Substitutes for Other Allergies

If you can't have eggs or are allergic to them, you can use a chia egg as a replacement. Mix 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with three tablespoons of water to make a chia egg. Permit the mixture sit down for virtually 5 minutes until information technology forms a gel-like consistency. This gel can then be added to the meat mixture in identify of an egg.

If you lot don't have easy admission to chia seeds, aquafaba can besides act equally a good substitute but we recommend cutting back on the amount of water or milk y'all add together to the mixture. Aquafaba has a college water content than chia egg, then it can create a gummier meatloaf if you use too much.

For anyone with celiac disease, you tin can also substitute almond flour for breadcrumbs at a ratio of one-to-one. This is as well a skilful alternative for anyone following the keto diet, as almond flour is a low-carbohydrate flour made from minimally processed nuts.

Can You Cook Meatloaf in an Air Fryer?

The brusk answer is, yes, you can melt meatloaf in an air fryer. The long answer is that it depends on how yous like your meatloaf. Air fryers are known for their ability to create crispy and well-done nutrient without all the added fat and grease that comes from deep frying. So, if you're looking for a meatloaf with a crispy exterior, y'all can cook it in an air fryer.

To cook meatloaf in an air fryer, beginning by spraying the basket with cooking spray. Then, form the meatloaf mixture into a loaf and identify it in the basket. Cook the meatloaf at 400°F for 25 to thirty minutes, flipping it over halfway through. Equally always, we recommend checking the internal temperature of the meatloaf before removing it from the air fryer. The internal temperature should be 160°F.

Be warned, though, that if you prefer a tender and juicy meatloaf, nosotros recommend cooking it in the oven. The air fryer volition cause the exterior of the meatloaf to cook faster than the centre, potentially drying out the final dish. Additionally, the air fryer will not add whatsoever wet to the meatloaf and so, if you're looking for a moist meatloaf, nosotros recommend cooking it in the oven.

My Personal Tips for Making an Amazing Meatloaf

Earlier nosotros get into the details of a recipe, we wanted to take a minute to innovate a handful of useful tips that will assistance you make the perfect meatloaf. Check them out beneath and use them as you see fit:

Avert Overmixing: Mix all of your ingredients together until combined simply do so gently. Overmixing the meat and filler can brand your meatloaf tough.
The Flavor is Upward to You: Don't forget to flavor your meatloaf! Add salt, pepper, garlic pulverisation, and any other herbs or spices you like. You tin likewise add a barbeque sauce if y'all want but reduce the amount of added water or milk to business relationship for additional moisture in the mix.
Salary Adds Flavour and Locks in Moisture: For extra flavor, try shaping your meatloaf into a loaf then summit it with bacon earlier blistering. The fat from the bacon volition add moisture and help lock in any steam that may escape from the loaf.
Don't Forget a Sauce: Near people serve meatloaf with gravy or sauce and, while not necessary, it is a great style to end the dish.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

How long volition leftover meatloaf terminal?

Cooked meatloaf can be stored in an closed container in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat it, preheat the oven to 350°F and place the meatloaf on a lightly greased baking canvass for 10 to 15 minutes or until heated through. If freezing meatloaf, store it for upwardly to iv months. When you're ready to swallow it, thaw the meatloaf and and then reheat it.

Should you add ketchup to the top of a meatloaf?

Although information technology's mutual to add ketchup to the superlative of a meatloaf, it'southward non necessary. However, if yous like ketchup on your meatloaf, experience free to add it. Merely call up that ketchup is high in sugar then, if you're trying to lookout man your carbohydrate intake, y'all may want to opt for sugar-free ketchup or another blazon of sauce.

Tin you make meatloaf the night before and and so cook it the next solar day?

You can brand meatloaf the night before and so cook information technology the next day. Just shape the meat into a loaf, wrap it in plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator. When you're ready to cook information technology, preheat the oven to 400°F, unwrap the meatloaf, and identify it in a greased loaf pan. Bake for 45 to l minutes or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 160°F.

A Fool-Proof Recipe for Standard Homemade Meatloaf

Ingredients

1lbs lean ground beef
1lbs ground pork
one yellow onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 eggs
1 cup breadcrumbs
½ cup ketchup
1 tablespoon mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup of milk, to be added as needed
ane teaspoon salt
ane teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F and spray a medium-sized loaf tin with cooking spray.
Add both the pork and beefiness to a large mixing basin and gently mix in the finely diced vegetables until evenly combined.
Continue to mix in the breadcrumbs, dry out seasonings, and wet ingredients until the mixture is polish and no longer clings to the side of the basin.
Shape the mixture into a loaf and place information technology in the prepared baking tin. If you prefer a soft outer texture, cover the can with aluminum foil.
Broil for 45 to fifty minutes or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf reaches 160°F.
Remove from the oven and let remainder for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Diet Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: i
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 542 Full Fat: 28g Saturated Fat: 10g Trans Fatty: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 14g Cholesterol: 201mg Sodium: 876mg Carbohydrates: 24g Fiber: 2g Saccharide: 8g Protein: 47g

Source: https://www.halfscratched.com/how-long-cook-meatloaf-400/