Wonderful Meatloaf Recipe

Name: Wonderful Meatloaf
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 0.75 cup cooked rice; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 0.75 cup chopped onion; 1 tablespoon ketchup; 0.5 cup ketchup

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Meatloaf Recipe

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
cup cooked rice
1 tablespoon brown sugar
cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon ketchup
cup ketchup (for topping)

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350F (175C).
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked rice, brown sugar, chopped onion, and 1 tablespoon of ketchup. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
Transfer the meat mixture into a 5x9 inch loaf pan, shaping it into a loaf form.
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and spread the remaining cup of ketchup over the top of the meatloaf.
Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes to allow the topping to set and caramelize.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

Nutrition Information	Per Serving
Calories	441
Total Fat	30g
Saturated Fat	12g
Cholesterol	97mg
Sodium	457mg
Total Carbohydrates	22g
Dietary Fiber	1g
Total Sugars	12g
Protein	20g
Vitamin C	7mg
Calcium	26mg
Iron	2mg
Potassium	439mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Please consult with a healthcare provider if you follow a medically restrictive diet.

Wonderful Meatloaf

History and Origin of Meatloaf

Meatloaf is a classic comfort food with a rich history rooted in the culinary traditions of many countries. Although variations exist worldwide, its origin is most strongly linked to European and American cuisine. The dish gained widespread popularity in the United States during the Great Depression, when it offered an economical and hearty meal option for families struggling with limited resources. The use of ground meat, often combined with breadcrumbs, vegetables, and spices, made it a versatile and filling dish.

Regional Variations

Different regions have put their own unique spin on meatloaf over the years. In the United States, the dish is often made with ground beef, while in Germany, it may be prepared with a mix of pork and beef, and is known as "Frikadellen." In Sweden, a variant called "Kttfrslimpa" is commonly served with potatoes and lingonberry jam. The inclusion of rice in this particular recipe is a nod to a more modern American version, adding texture and flavor to the meat mixture.

How This Meatloaf Differs from Similar Dishes

What makes this "Wonderful Meatloaf" unique is the inclusion of cooked rice and the use of brown sugar in the mixture. While traditional meatloaf recipes often rely on breadcrumbs or crackers as a binding agent, the rice here provides a distinct texture, making it more moist and flavorful. The brown sugar adds a subtle sweetness, balancing out the savory flavors of the meat and onions. Additionally, the ketchup glaze on top gives the meatloaf a delightful tangy finish, setting it apart from more basic versions that may only use plain ketchup.

Where is Meatloaf Usually Served?

Meatloaf is a staple in many households, often served for family dinners or as a comforting meal after a long day. It's frequently accompanied by mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad. In many American diners, meatloaf is served as a lunch or dinner option, sometimes in the form of a sandwich, with slices of meatloaf placed between two pieces of bread. The versatility of meatloaf also makes it a popular choice for meal prepping, as leftovers can easily be used in sandwiches or even turned into a topping for salads.

Fun Facts About Meatloaf

Meatloaf was featured as one of the most popular comfort foods during wartime, as it was cheap, filling, and could easily be made with whatever ingredients were on hand.
The classic meatloaf song "I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" by Meat Loaf (the artist) is one of the most famous cultural references to the dish.
Some families have their own "secret ingredients" for meatloaf, with variations including grated cheese, bell peppers, or even chili sauce to spice things up.
In the UK, meatloaf is often referred to as "meatloaf cake" because of its shape, and it is sometimes baked in a round tin, giving it a more cake-like appearance.

Conclusion

This Wonderful Meatloaf Recipe is a delicious, easy-to-make dish that brings together ground beef, rice, brown sugar, and a flavorful ketchup glaze. Its simple ingredients and hearty texture make it a favorite for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. Whether you're serving it for a family gathering or preparing leftovers for lunch, this recipe is sure to become a go-to in your meal rotation!

FAQ about Wonderful Meatloaf Recipe

Leftover meatloaf can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container. To extend its shelf life, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. When reheating, ensure the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.

It is not recommended to use uncooked rice in this recipe, as it may not cook properly inside the meatloaf. Always use cooked rice as directed. If you don’t have cooked rice on hand, you can substitute with cooked quinoa or breadcrumbs.

Yes, ground turkey or chicken can be used as a substitute for ground beef. However, these meats tend to be leaner, so consider adding some extra moisture, such as a little oil or broth, to prevent the meatloaf from becoming too dry.

Yes, you can prepare the meatloaf mixture a day ahead of time. Simply cover it and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to cook, just place it in the oven and bake as instructed. This is a great time-saver for busy days.

Yes, you can freeze the meatloaf either before or after baking. To freeze before baking, form the loaf and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze. To freeze after baking, let it cool completely, then wrap it and freeze. When ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven.

Yes, you can add vegetables like diced bell peppers, carrots, or zucchini to the meat mixture for extra flavor and nutrition. Just be sure to finely chop the vegetables so they incorporate well into the loaf and cook properly.

If you prefer not to use brown sugar, you can substitute with honey, maple syrup, or even coconut sugar. These substitutes will provide a similar sweetness, though the flavor may vary slightly.

If you find the meatloaf is too loose, you can add a binding agent like an egg or breadcrumbs. You can also reduce the amount of rice or add a little flour to help hold it together better. Another option is to bake it in muffin cups for individual portions that hold their shape more easily.

The most common reason meatloaf falls apart is due to too much moisture or not enough binding ingredients. To prevent this, ensure you're using enough breadcrumbs or eggs. Additionally, make sure the rice is well-cooked and drained of excess water.

Yes, you can cook the meatloaf in a slow cooker. Form the meat mixture into a loaf and cook it on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the size of the loaf and your slow cooker model.

Comments

veggiemommie

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

Good tasting meatloaf. TO SOLVE THE "FALLING APART" PROBLEM YOU CAN: 1. DECREASE THE RICE BY 1/4 CUP 2. ADD EITHER 1/4 CUP OF BREAD CRUMBS OR TOASTED WHEAT GERM. 3. ADD ONE LARGE BEATEN EGG. This should give you a firmer loaf suitable for slicing. I always double the recipe and have sliced and lightly fried (in olive oil) meatloaf the third day. My family actually prefers it this way and it is a great time-saving suggestion.

Bridgit McCarthy

01/27/2020 10:32:18 PM

pretty good! I mostly followed the recipe. The big change I made was a much more interesting glaze. I used ketchup, home made BBQ , a little honey and some S&P. I re-applied the glaze twice during the cook time. I used a meat thermometer and pulled the loaf at 155 degrees.

Barbara Sullivan Bernheimer

11/30/2010 05:24:22 AM

Great recipe! I like to bake it in muffin cups. Just press into muffin cups and bake at 350 for about 25 minutes. Wait until last 10 minutes before adding about a tablespoon of ketchup or chili sauce on top of each one. Tastes like stuffed peppers without the peppers. Delicious! They usually pop out easily but if the beef is lean I would spray with cooking spray first. I also have substituted about a third cup of raw minute rice when cooked rice is not available - and I add an egg to help it hold together.

Elizabeth Durik-Ha

10/01/2008 03:54:53 PM

Good recipe. I followed some of the suggstions and added an egg, 1/4 c bread crumbs, and cooked in the crock pot. There were no left overs!

Allrecipes Member

10/24/2016 09:05:57 AM

17 yr old daughter has a bunch of allergies, including egg & gluten, so meatloaf has mostly meant misery (if she made the mistake of eating it anyway - don't ask abt the time she tried sliders only to learn the cook -not me! - used a meatloaf-type recipe for the meat) So this recipe looked perfect for her- and it WAS! She even requested it for her birthday dinner, 2 months in advance (we used it as the base for the Meatloaf Cupcakes from this site, so holding together was a non-issue... Even better). I definitely made note! I made it again last night, "regular" sized, and just abandoned the idea of slices, scooping it onto our plates. Meatloaf, in my opinion, isn't about the looks...it's a loaf of meat. It's all about the taste, and this is terrific. Note #1- I used the uncooked instant rice suggested by another review because we always have tons on hand, one grain she *can* eat. Note #2- Last night I tried to take a shortcut w/ dried minced onion instead of fresh. Don't recommend- I seemed to be the only one who noticed, but it's not that hard to chop up the real thing, so gonna be doing that from now on...

Jolie Hoffman

11/27/2010 04:35:51 PM

Add seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder) for a better taste and flour to keep the loaf from falling apart. The rice really absorbs the juices from the meat and becomes soggy. This is an easy fix if you work flour into the mixture. A very good meatloaf, overall. The second time making this I added diced and drained canned tomatoes and diced green peppers along with garlic and onion powder. Topped it with BBQ sauce and it was phenomenal.

KathleenO

07/30/2010 11:14:28 AM

Additional note (09/17/10)- I usually have fresh or frozen turkey or beef stock on hand and I cook the brown rice in the stock before adding to the other meatloaf ingredients. I believe it really adds to the flavor and using turkey stock doesn't detract from the beef flavor. I doubled the recipe, used brown rice and combined ketchup and barbeque sauce for the topping sauce. Loved the taste and also liked that rice was used.

NancyinOntario

11/23/2009 01:54:23 PM

I'll be making this again. I did season with salt, pepper and celery salt. I used ketchup in the recipe and BBQ sauce for the glaze. My rice had chilled for a day, so maybe that's why the loaf didn't fall apart - or was it the 1/2 cup breadcrumbs and one beaten egg? My husband loved it.

djruble

08/04/2014 09:57:05 AM

Our family has always made this meatloaf w/ rice but no brown sugar. We also add chopped green pepper and two eggs. It's good meatloaf and we bake potatoes too for a great meal.

jctnact

05/14/2011 07:24:08 PM

Definitely needed some seasoning and some binding agent. I used onion mix, salt and pepper, egg, and bread crumbs. The meatloaf came out super moist and delicious. I give this recipe 3 stars based only on the fact that it gave me the great idea of putting rice in the meatloaf!

Josie Thomsen

03/10/2011 06:17:16 PM

WAY Good! Even my 17 mth old liked it....and he even said it was "awesome"! I tried this with 1 cup of uncooked minute rice, but it turned out just a tad dry. Next time I will either add an egg (because it did fall apart some) and/or use cooked rice. Oh and I also added just a little garlic salt and then salt/pepper to taste. Great recipe! Will make again!

Benjamin Collins

12/28/2024 09:32:12 AM

This recipe is insane — highly recommend.

Aaron Gonzalez

10/27/2024 08:08:46 PM

So simple, yet tastes gourmet.

Nancy Gonzalez

01/29/2024 10:55:07 AM

Everyone loved it ❤️

FlimsyGlass2508

01/08/2024 10:26:23 PM

I used a flaxseed egg,

ZanyCup6193

07/10/2023 08:18:56 PM

Easy. Added celery and onions. Ditched the brown sugar. One egg added also, like the rice replacement for bread crumbs.

Lasonia Johnson

02/22/2021 05:20:33 PM

Try not to use ketchup with a lot of sugar.

Tulip

11/07/2019 12:44:52 AM

I didn't care for it with the rice in it. And no bread crumbs made it seem like a giant hamburger.

Angel Petty

04/12/2019 01:07:46 AM

Have made several times

Billie

01/29/2019 11:51:55 AM

This is really good. With no seasoning I was skeptical, but followed it as it was. Delicious! I added a little salt after I was eating it, but it didn’t need it. Surprise surprise!