Meatloaf — Ad-Free Recipe, Ingredients First

The loaf is only as good as the ground beef and the eggs holding it together. Soak the crumbs in milk first so the loaf stays moist instead of dense.

The Ingredients — and where to get them

Cook for 6 servings

Ground beef

85/15 beef gives enough fat to stay tender through a long bake.

2 lb

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Bread

Torn into crumbs, it soaks up milk and keeps the loaf soft.

2 cups crumbs

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Eggs

Real yolks bind the loaf so it slices clean.

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Canned tomatoes

Crushed tomatoes cook down into the glaze with real fruit behind it.

1/2 cup

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Yellow onion

Grated fine and cooked into the mix for sweetness.

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Using ground beef? It behaves the way it does for a reason — what this cut is for and how to cook it →

The Rundown

Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge

A light hand — your arteries say thanks. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time

EffortSome doing

Cook it with

Air fryerSheet pan

The Method

PanadeSoak the crumbs in a splash of milk for 5 minutes until pasty; this keeps the loaf from drying out.
MixFold beef, eggs, onion, and the panade together with your hands just until combined. Overmixing makes it rubbery.
ShapePat into a free-form loaf on a lined sheet pan so the sides brown, not just the top.
GlazeBrush the crushed tomatoes over the top, seasoned with a pinch of sugar and vinegar.
BakeBake at 350F for about an hour until the center reads 160F, then rest 10 minutes before slicing.

The Toolkit

Sheet pan · Mixing bowl · Instant thermometer

Straight Answers

Can you make Meatloaf in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — this is exactly what an air fryer does well. Work in a single layer so the air can move, and shake or flip halfway for even crisping. It runs a touch faster than the oven, so check early.

Can you freeze Meatloaf? — Not ideal

You can, but the crisp coating softens. Freeze the cooked pieces, then re-crisp them in a hot oven or air fryer — never the microwave.

Can you make Meatloaf ahead of time? — Prep ahead

Best fried to order — the crunch fades if it sits. Do the breading or shaping ahead and cook it fresh when you serve.

Is Meatloaf gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in gluten-free versions of the wheat items (check the other labels too).

Is Meatloaf vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.69

Meatloaf, and where to source it