Mix-and-Match Meatloaf

Design the ultimate comfort food: This customizable recipe from Food Network Magazine leads to thousands of possibilites!

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Mix-and-Match Meatloaf

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Food Stylist: Rebecca Jurkevich

Photo by: Andrew Purcell

Andrew Purcell

Food Stylist: Rebecca Jurkevich

1. Pick Your Meat

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put 1 1/2 pounds ground meat in a large bowl (choose 1 or a combination).

  • Ground beef
  • Ground turkey
  • Ground veal
  • Ground pork

2. Choose a Binder

Add 1 cup to the bowl with the meat (choose 1).

  • Breadcrumbs
  • Instant rice (uncooked)
  • Cornflakes
  • Crackers or croutons, crushed
  • Fine bulgur (uncooked)
  • Oats (quick cooking or regular)
  • Instant potato flakes (use 1/2 cup)
  • Quick-cooking barley (uncooked; use 1/2 cup)

3. Pick a Vegetable

Prepare 1 to 2 cups (choose 1); add to the bowl.

  • Carrots, shredded
  • Frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
  • Swiss chard or kale, finely chopped
  • Bell peppers, finely chopped
  • Mushrooms, finely chopped
  • Zucchini, shredded and squeezed dry
  • Celery, finely chopped and sautéed

4. Choose a Mix-In (Optional)

Add 1/2 cup total (choose up to 2).

  • Raisins or prunes, chopped
  • Sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • Cooked bacon, chopped
  • Pickles or gherkins, chopped
  • Canned green chiles or pickled jalapeños, chopped
  • Walnuts, chopped
  • Roasted red peppers, chopped
  • Shredded cheese (up to 1 cup)

5. Bake the Meatloaf

Add 1 cup grated onion, 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons chopped herbs (parsley, chives, basil and/or thyme), 2 eggs, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and mix with your hands until just combined. Shape into a 9-by-5-inch oval loaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Top with strips of bacon, if desired. Bake about halfway, 30 minutes.

6. Make a Glaze

Brush the top and sides of the meatloaf with a glaze and continue baking until a thermometer inserted into the center registers 160 degrees F, about 25 more minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Classic: Mix 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 teaspoons brown sugar and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.

Garlic-Herb: Mix 1/4 cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 2 teaspoons brown sugar, 1 grated garlic clove and 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning.

Spicy Barbecue: Mix 1/4 cup barbecue sauce, 2 teaspoons honey, 1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder and 1 teaspoon cider vinegar.

Tangy: Mix 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons apricot preserves, 2 teaspoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar and 1 teaspoon ground ginger.

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