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Today, I’d like to talk about meatloaf. Not the musical fella who, sadly, passed away a short time ago, but the American food that seems to have a bad reputation. I’m going to take a deep dive: what is meatloaf, can you make meatloaf in the UK, and is meatloaf really as bad as the movies and TV shows make it look?
Let’s jump right in, shall we?
What is Meatloaf?
We’ll start with the basics.
The dictionary says this about meatloaf:
“A dish of ground meat, often mixed with other ingredients, as breadcrumbs and seasonings, molded in the shape of a loaf and baked.”
Dictionary
These days, there are a billion and one different meatloaf recipes on the internet, all with different ingredients and little tweaks to make them gluten-free, vegetarian-friendly, or suitable for a wide variety of other dietary restrictions and preferences.
Image by timolina on Freepik
What is Meatloaf Made Of?
Traditional meatloaf is made from minced beef, basically mashed together with a bunch of other ingredients, usually vegetables, onions, herbs and spices, bread/breadcrumbs, etc., and then formed into a shape reminiscent of a bread loaf.
Classic Meatloaf Recipe | The Wholesome Dish
Once shaped, it is then cooked — usually baked in the oven, but it can also be cooked in a slow cooker, smoked, and a variety of other methods.
Sometimes, it is covered in a tomato-based sauce, similar to ketchup. BBQ sauce is also used, and you can now find a wide array of different meatloaf-plus-sauce recipes online.
Classic Meatloaf with Brown Gravy | Persnickety Plates
Italian Meatloaf | Spicy Southern Kitchen
Juicy BBQ Meatloaf | Chef Jar
Why is Meatloaf Called Meatloaf?
The food gets its name from what it is made with, combined with the shape of it.
Because the dish is usually made from minced (or ground, if you’re American) meat and then formed into a loaf-like shape, you have a meat-loaf, literally. Or, as we know it: meatloaf.
(If you’re asking how the singer, Meatloaf, got his name, I literally have no clue. I can’t help you. I can, however, point you in the direction of this article >>> Meatloaf Got His Name in Dallas. Here’s How.)
What is Meatloaf Called in the UK?
There isn’t one definitive version of meatloaf in the UK, although there are a few variations of it. Different counties or areas of the UK tend to have their own individual takes on it.
Lincolnshire, for example, has a version known as haslet, which is made from minced pork and a bunch of flavoursome herbs and spices.
Lincolnshire Haslet Recipe | Foods of England
Where Did Meatloaf Come From?
Although we believe meatloaf to be an American dish, it wasn’t actually first mentioned in American history and cookbooks until the 19th century — and the origins of meatloaf actually go far, far, far further back than that.
In actual fact, meatloaf has its origins somewhere around the fifth century, in the time of the Romans. A loaf of meat that was ground or minced was found in a fifth century infamous recipe book, known as De re culinaria, De re coquinaria, or – more commonly – Apicius.
Image by chandlervid85 on Freepik
The humble meatball is also related to meatloaf. Wikipedia describes them as being cousins. They can both be traced back to Belgian, Scandinavian, and German origins.
In fact, virtually every corner of the globe has a version of meatloaf, and an interesting history behind it. If it sounds like something you’d be interested in, I’d definitely recommend taking a peek at this Wikipedia article >>> Meatloaf | Wikipedia.
Why is Meatloaf So Popular in America?
Not just in America, meatloaf is popular all over the world because it is a smart and great way to make a large, filling dinner dish, with few ingredients, for a relatively low price, with easy cooking. You can pack out a small amount of meat (the expensive part of the dish) with cheaper vegetables, breadcrumbs, eggs, and other things.
You can also use cheaper cuts of meat in meatloaf, because it is all minced up and essentially blended together.
Essentially, with the right combination of ingredients to suit YOUR tastes, you might just find that this is the perfect dinner dish!
What Do You Eat With Meatloaf?
You can actually eat pretty much whatever you want with meatloaf, but traditionally, it would have been served with some sort of potatoes and perhaps some vegetables, and maybe bread and butter.
You could opt for anything you like: mac and cheese, other pasta dishes, mashed potatoes, garlic bread, an array of vegetables, creamed peas… the list is pretty much endless.
Image by timolina on Freepik
Alternative Meatloaf Recipe Ideas
Don’t fancy minced beef in your meatloaf today? Bored with your regular meatloaf recipes? Need a gluten-free version for one of your mates?
Why not try some of these unique and quirky twists on the classic (not-so) American dish:
Buffalo Chicken Meatloaf | Chef Jar
Meatloaf Muffins | Persnickety Plates
Enchilada Turkey Meatloaf | Skinny Taste
Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf | Chef Jar
Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Nut-Free Meatloaf | Gluten Free Palate
Gluten-Free Meatloaf with Spicy-Sweet Tomato Glaze | GFF Mag
FAQ
What Can I Put on Meatloaf Instead of Ketchup?
You can put quite a few different things on meatloaf instead of ketchup, and I’ve featured a few ideas in this post: BBQ sauce, onion gravy, etc.
What Goes With Meatloaf Besides Potatoes?
You have so many options, if you’re on the hunt for a meatloaf side that isn’t potato-based. Why not try freshly-baked rolls with butter, baked sweet potato fries, spears of asparagus, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, or creamed spinach? (Just a few suggestions.)
*Prices & information correct at time of writing.