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How Long To Cook Meatloaf At 375 – Tips & Tricks
Do you want to know how long to cook meatloaf at 375 degrees? You have come to the right place. In this blog post, we will provide you with a guide on cooking time for meatloaf at different oven temperatures.
So, whether you are a newbie or an experienced cook, you will be able to make the perfect meatloaf every time. Let’s get started!
How Long To Cook Meatloaf At 375
The short answer to the question of how long to cook meatloaf at 375 is, well, it depends on how big your meatloaf is.
Typically, you’ll want to cook meatloaf for about 45 minutes to an hour at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. You’re looking for an internal temperature of about 160 degrees F.
To achieve this, you’ll need to keep the following things in mind when calculating the cooking time:
- The size of your meatloaf
- The number of pounds and ounces
- The amount of time required to reach the desired internal temperature
It’s important to note that the internal temperature should be taken from the center of the loaf, not from the top or bottom (where there may be uncooked portions).
A good rule of thumb is that if you are using a small loaf pan (about 8 inches by 4 inches), then it will take approximately 30 minutes of cook time per pound.
If you’re using a larger loaf pan (about 12 inches by 6 inches), then it will take roughly 50 minutes per pound to cook time.
How To Cook Meatloaf At 375
Meatloaf is one of those things that’s usually thought of as a home-cooked meal, but it’s actually one of the easiest things to cook. It’s just a matter of mixing the ingredients, putting them in a pan, and popping it in the oven.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup Worchestershire sauce
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the ground beef, eggs, and onions into a large bowl. Use clean hands to mix the ingredients until they are well combined.
- Pour the ketchup and Worcestershire sauce into the mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly so that all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the meatloaf mixture to a casserole dish or loaf pan. Form it into a loaf shape that is about two inches thick and add any additional toppings you wish (such as more ketchup or barbecue sauce).
- Cook for approximately one hour, or until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit. The top of your meatloaf should be browned when done cooking, but it’s okay if it has some pink areas inside.
Tips On Cooking Meatloaf
Meatloaf is a great recipe that can go wrong in so many ways. Overcooking it will lead to a dry and tough meatloaf, and undercooking it can lead to food poisoning. Meatloaf is also notorious for being bland, but with these tips, you can create a tasty meatloaf the whole family will love.
- Don’t skimp on the seasonings. The best part about meatloaf is that you can add whatever you want to it, from regular herbs to nuts and even fruits!
- Use ground turkey or chicken instead of just beef. Instead of plain old beef, mix in some ground chicken or turkey to give the meat some extra flavor.
- Experiment with different types of breadcrumbs. You’d be surprised how much different types of bread crumbs can change your meatloaf’s taste. For example, Italian breadcrumbs are great for an Italian-style meatloaf, and panko crumbs will help keep the moisture in.
- Add some vegetables to the mix. Adding carrots and onions to your meatloaf won’t only make it healthier, but will also give your meatloaf a delicious flavor!
What To Serve With Meatloaf
Meatloaf is comfort food that is easy to make and delicious. It’s made with ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, and spices.
This savory dish is versatile and can be baked in the oven or on the grill. It can be served as an entree or cut into small squares to make appetizer-sized portions.
It’s great for potlucks, parties, and family dinners. The possibilities are endless when it comes to what to serve with meatloaf!
Here are some ideas:
- Mashed Potatoes
- Italian Peas.
- Quick Brussels Sprouts and Bacon.
- Roasted Parmesan-Garlic Carrots.
- Easy Roasted Broccoli.
- Instant Pot Garlic Roasted Melting Potatoes.
- Twice Baked Cauliflower with Bacon.
FAQs Related To How Long To Cook Meatloaf At 375
How Can I Tell If My Meatloaf Is Done?
One of the few things that can make meatloaf more delicious than it already is, is a nice, crispy crust. But if you’re not careful, there’s a good chance you might end up with a burnt exterior and an undercooked interior.
Luckily, we’ve got a few ways to test your meatloaf short of cutting into it—although that won’t hurt either.
Using Finger
The texture of cooked meat will be firm and smooth to the touch. If you press down on your meatloaf with your finger, the indent should hold. That means it’s done!
This test works for ground beef in general (and for burgers too!), but when it comes to meatloaf specifically, there’s another trick that definitely does the trick:
Using Thermometer
Forget using your finger to test the texture. It might not be clean enough for some people’s comfort levels. Instead, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of your meatloaf and check that it has reached 160°F.
That’s a good indication that your loaf is fully cooked through and safe to eat. Then—you guessed it—it’s time to eat!
What Meat Can I Use For Meatloaf?
When making a meatloaf, you want something that’s lean enough to keep the loaf from becoming too dense and dry. So long as you can find a suitable ratio of fat to lean, you can use any ground meat in your meatloaf. You can also use a blend of meats if you prefer. Here are the best options:
- Beef: Ground beef is the most popular choice for meatloaf. Choose a grind with around 20 percent fat for the best texture and moisture.
- Veal: Veal is more expensive than beef, but it has a light texture that’s perfect for meatloaf, and it’s much moister than beef. Look for ground veal that’s about 80 percent lean.
- Pork: Pork adds flavor and juiciness to your meatloaf, so consider adding some ground pork to your beef or veal mixture. If using all pork, choose an 80 percent lean grind.
- Chicken or turkey: Chicken and turkey are low in fat and therefore very lean, so they make sense, dry meatloaves. Make sure you add other ingredients that will help keep the loaf moist, such as cheese or vegetables with high water content (such as zucchini).
Conclusion
Thank you for reading our guide on how to cook meatloaf at 375 degrees.
We hope that you found this information helpful and will be able to apply it in your own kitchen.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or feedback.
Have a great day!
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