Can You Freeze Meatloaf?
Yes, you can freeze Meatloaf. Meatloaf mix comes in various flavors and contains ingredients like bread crumbs, dry egg, eggs, milk, onion, garlic, herbs, and spices.
Meatloaf is a staple in many families and restaurants, and it’s usually made with ground beef. It can be a time-consuming project that requires multiple steps, but it doesn’t have to be hard!
What is Meatloaf made of?
The main ingredient in Meatloaf is ground meat. You’ll typically find 80% lean ground beef or pork, 10% fat (such as lard), and 10% other ingredients such as breadcrumbs, milk, seasonings, etc.
The ratio of the different meats varies from recipe to recipe. If you’re looking for a more traditional flavor, try ground beef.
How to Freeze Meatloaf?
If you have a party coming up and need to make Meatloaf for a crowd, here’s how to freeze it so that you can prepare ahead of time.
Process:
- Preheat the Oven to 350°F. A baking sheet should be lined with aluminum foil and sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine the ground beef, onion, eggs, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and thyme in a large bowl.
- Use your hands to mix everything well. Divide the mixture into two equal parts.
- Lay one of the meatloaves on the prepared baking sheet. With your hands, flatten the loaf to about 1 inch thick.
- Place in the oven for 35 minutes or until it reaches 160°F. Place the loaf on a plate and cover it loosely with plastic wrap.
- Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer. When the loaf is frozen, remove the frozen meatloaves from the sheet, wrap them in plastic wrap, and place them back in the freezer. Repeat this process with the second frozen meatloaves.
When you’re ready to serve, thaw the baked Meatloaf, then place it in the Oven at 350°F for 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
How to Defrost and Reheat Meatloaf?
The best recipes for Meatloaf come from the heart. A good meatloaf is tender and moist, with a great texture. It’s easy to make and is always a hit at a gathering.
However, if you’re like me, you find yourself cooking a lot of Meatloaf during the winter months. The problem is that when you reheat baked leftover Meatloaf in the Oven, you end up with a dried-out meatloaf.
And there are plenty of times when you don’t have the luxury of time to let a cook frozen Meatloaf sit in the refrigerator for two days.
Process:
- Defrost Meatloaf. The easiest way to defrost the meatloaf mixture is to place the frozen meat loaf into a covered safe container in your refrigerator. Allow it to thaw slowly overnight.
- Place Meatloaf on a lightly greased baking pan or baking sheet and bake. I like to set the oven temperature to 350°F and cook the loaf for 20 minutes per pound of Meatloaf. Baking it longer will dry it out.
- Reheat Meatloaf. You can reheat meatloaf portions in the microwave by following this simple process. Heat the loaf on high for 5 minutes. Please turn off the microwave, and heat it again for an additional 5 minutes.
After reheating, serve the Meatloaf with your favorite side dishes.
Ground Beef Meatloaf Recipe:
Making homemade Meatloaf is a simple task that yields a mouth-watering meal that you can serve to your family and friends. You can enjoy Meatloaf as a special treat on any night of the week.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 2/3 cup Onion Chopped Finely
- 4 Eggs Beaten
- 1 cup Bread Crumbs
- ½ Cup Milk
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- Salt And Pepper To Taste
- Thyme To Season
Directions:
- Preheat the Oven to 350 degrees F.
- Prepare an aluminum foil-lined 9×13-inch baking dish. Use nonstick spray to coat the foil and set aside.
- Combine the ground beef, onion, and eggs in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Mix well with your hands.
- Combine the bread crumbs, milk, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper in another small bowl. Stir well.
- Bring together the dry and wet ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well. Do not overmix.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared metal cookie sheet. Make sure you firmly press the surface of the Meatloaf to form a flat layer.
- Pre-heat the oven to 350°F for 40 minutes. Remove the baking dish from the oven and carefully lift off the foil liner. Place the baking dish back in the oven and bake for 15 more minutes.
- Remove the baking dish from the heat and allow the Meatloaf to cool completely.
Cut into 12 slices and serve.
Meatloaf Tips & Tricks:
• Check the internal temperature of the meat loaf by using a thermometer to ensure that it has reached 165°F.
• Store leftover meatloaf in a freezer safe airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Make sure that any liquid inside the loaf gets absorbed before freezing.
• Don’t overmix the Meatloaf – use your hands to combine all the ingredients.
• For best results, use fresh meatloaf mix.
• If possible, let the meat loaf rest after baking.
• Try adding chopped green onions or parsley to the top of the Meatloaf.
• Add a small amount of ketchup or barbecue sauce to the Meatloaf to add moisture.
• Top the Meatloaf with cheese.
• Bake the Meatloaf on a metal sheet.
• Bake the Meatloaf on a rack instead of directly on the bottom of the pan.
• Use a silicone spatula to scrape the bottom of the pan while baking.
Last Words:
I have made many variations of Meatloaf over the years. I like to use a combination of ground beef, veal, and pork. I also like to use a lot of herbs and spices.
Meatloaf should be easy to make, delicious, and versatile. Learn how to make your Meatloaf today!
