A good meatloaf needs to be cooked at the ideal temperature and for a specific period of time, otherwise it will lose all its flavor. So how long does it takes to cook meatloaf at 375 degrees? I have the perfect temperature and cooking time for 1 lb meatloaf and 2 lb meatloaf.
So, if you want to get the recipe right, you need to keep reading this article. I’ll teach you all the ideal cooking temperatures and show you an excellent recipe!
Check out everything you need to know below to prepare the best meatloaf of your life!
How long to cook meatloaf at 375 degrees?
Meatloaf originated as an ancient Roman dish that spread like wildfire throughout the world. It is now considered a truly American meal. It’s understandably popular everywhere, with an endless variety of ingredients, and it usually brings back fond childhood memories.
Cooking a good meatloaf is simple, but making an amazing one requires some creativity and planning. For a personal touch, try infusing it with your favorite local cuisine. If you overseasoned by accident, a drop of white or balsamic vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice can help to balance the flavor.
Try to stick to basic guidelines, such as cooking a 3-pound meatloaf at 375°F for 1 hour and 45 minutes at 375 degrees, but a 2 pound takes only one hour. If you overcook it, it will become tough and crumbly.
1 lb meatloaf cook time
A delish meatloaf can be enjoyed hot or cold and lasts for days when accompanied by a variety of complementary side dishes.
A one-pound piece is usually devoured quickly, but one can suffice for serving. It takes 50 minutes to cook a 1lb meatloaf perfectly when baked at 350-375 °F. It would be critical not to cut it too soon.
Allow it to cool before slicing it. Another key to making a perfect meatloaf is to have a subtle balance of flavors with nothing standing out from the ingredients. They should be perfectly combined to make a moist, springy, but firm dish.
2 lb meatloaf cook time
A 2-pound meatloaf can serve a family dinner as well as some leftovers for a filling brunch. At 350-375°F, a sensational 2-pound meatloaf takes only an hour and 20 minutes to prepare.
Some chefs prefer to roast it sliced for the final 5-10 minutes of cooking time. It’s up to you, but this is a quick way to overcook and dry it out.
Although, wrapping it in foil helps to keep the moisture in. When it comes to meat, we routinely check the doneness by looking at the color. But keep in mind that if there are tomatoes in the recipe, the meatloaf may remain pinkish even when done.
How Long to Cook Meatloaf at 375ºF Recipe
Ingredients
- 50 gr White breadcrumbs
- 500 gr Lean minced beef
- 1 Medium yellow onion
- 2 Garlic clove
- 1 Egg beaten
- 2 tbsp Chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp Sour cream
- ½ tbsp Ground cummin
- ½ tbsp Ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp Brown sugar
- 5 Neatly chopped sundried tomatoes
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 50 gr Crumbled feta cheese
- A batch of salt
Instructions
- Chop the onions into small pieces and soften them on 1 tbsp of olive oil with brown sugar.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Line the sides and base of a 1 pound loaf tin with baking parchment.
- Mix well all the ingredients with the softened onions in a large bowl.
- The easiest way is to knead them together with your hands, but try not to compact them.
- Handling the raw meatloaf with wet hands helps with the stickiness.
- Transfer the mixture into the pan and bake it in the preheated oven for approximately 50 minutes.
- Allow it to cool down before slicing it.
- Then transfer to a cutting board and cut into ¾ to 1-inch slices.
- Enjoy your tender and flavorful meatloaf.
What is the perfect temperature for a perfect meatloaf?
Perfect meatloaf is cooked in a moderately hot oven, at 350-370 °F, and occasionally in steam. It is critical not to over-press the meatloaf because this increases the cooking time, making it more prone to drying out, which is a common cause of cracks.
The cooking temperature is unaffected by the different ingredients. To get the perfect loaf and avoid crumbliness, use breadcrumbs instead of soaking bread in milk, as some recipes suggest.
Extra-depth and flavor balance are also affected by the fat-to-solid-ingredient ratio. The ideal fat-to-ingredients ratio is 20% fat to 80% ingredients.
Can we cook frozen meatloaf?
You can definitely make your cooking easier by mixing meatloaf and freezing it in bigger batches uncooked for future use. However, you can only freeze uncooked ones because if you freeze them after they’ve been baked, they go bad quickly and lose their consistency.
Cooking a frozen meatloaf usually takes 1–2 times as long as usual. That means, a one-pound serve takes 1 ¼ – 1 ¾ hour to cook at 375 degrees, while a 2 pound takes 2- 2 ¾ hours to be ready at the same temperature.
Always wrap frozen meatloaf in aluminum foil and cook it without thawing. To keep it moist, sprinkle it with water or beef broth before wrapping it in foil and cooking it.
Accompaniment suggestion for meatloaf
Meatloafs are a great value dish with endless possibilities for varying the ingredients and serving styles. If you don’t have a loaf tin, you can form a loaf with your hands on a baking tray. Some cooks even prefer this method because it results in a more even crust on the outside and takes less time to bake.
Wrap the loaf in bacon strips or drizzle it with glaze for added flavor and moisture retention. To ensure an even texture, always soften the vegetables before mixing them with the other ingredients. If your meatloaves usually crack, it’s possible that your oven cooks them unevenly. Try adding one more egg to the mix to see if that does the trick.
After you learn the basics, you don’t have to stick to the recipes; instead, try experimenting with new ingredients to create fun and new dishes.
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