Easy meatloaf recipe question?

[LibraLovesAries]

I have never made meatloaf before but I love it I am going to try making my own this week and I was wondering does every recipe use a sauce of ketchup, sugar and mustard to pour over the loaf before you bake it? It sounds unappealing but if I didn't use it maybe it would taste bland? My question really is, if you have had meatloaf made this way, did it taste good?

 

[lori]

No, it shouldn't taste bland. Most of the time I cook it with a sauce because that's how my kids like it but it should be good plain as long as you have a good recipe. Sometimes I add extra herbs to the mixture but that probably isn't even necessary.
Also if it does turn out bland, you can always just make up a sauce/gravy afterwards to serve it with. The sauce really only flavors the outside layer anyway so it doesn't matter much if you put it on before or after cooking?

 

[DottieR]

I use an 8 oz. can of tomato sauce for my meatloaf. I put half into the meat,etc. and then spread the other half over the top.

 

[CeMeC]

LibraLov, one of our top contributors on here "SandyPaw", as an awesome meatloaf recipe, she is the one to get in touch with.

You may find this answer unusual, but if I like an answer by a contributor, or a recipe, I will openly acknowledge them, we are here to help not only folk like you but each other.

 

[razz]

If it's your first meatloaf, I'd suggest using the meatloaf seasoning mixture available in envelopes in the gravy section of any grocery store. Follow the directions on the package, it's hard to go wrong. One little tip: try adding 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese to the recipe. Also, about toppings: don't put them on before baking, they are prone to scorching. Put on the toppings for the last 15 minutes of baking.

And good luck!

 

[RobertS]

For each pound of ground beef, add the pork of a sausage.
Mix with 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, oatmeal, or crackers in milk.
Some people also add a raw egg, as a binding agent.
Sauce is optional, ketchup, BBQ, or a combination.
You can also add a chopped onion for more flavour.

 

[Emily1]

no... we don't pour anything over it. we just mix in whatever we want- salsa vegetables- anything. we don't drench it in a sauce to cook

 

[sugarpie1]

Made this last night: 1/2 cup of ketchup, 1/4 cup of yellow mustard, and 1/4 cup brown sugar. Mix well, spread on top of meatloaf and bake. I've also done plain ketchup, but really like the mix of the 3 flavors.