How long does it take to cook a 2lb meatloaf at 350 degrees?

The best temperature to cook the meatloaf at is 350°F and it requires about 1 hour, give or take a few minutes, depending on size and shape. 1 hour should be more than enough for a 2 pound meatloaf. Do not cut into the meatloaf right away, allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes after cooking.

What temperature should meatloaf be cooked at in the oven?

The oven temperature is typically set at 350 degrees F for making meatloaf. That’s the temperature you want to be sure to use so the meatloaf cooks and doesn’t dry out. Too high, and the outer crust will burn before the interior is cooked all the way, too low and you don’t get that delicious crust.

How long should you cook a 3lb meatloaf?

Bake a 1lb meatloaf for about 45 minutes total. Bake a 2lb meatloaf for about 55 minutes total. Bake a 3 lb meatloaf for about 1 hour 20 minutes.

Do you cover meatloaf with foil when baking?

Cover a single large meatloaf with a piece of aluminum foil during cooking to keep it moist, but uncover it for the last 15 minutes of baking. “Meatloaf is highly suited to being either frozen raw for cooking later or cooked and frozen to reheat.” Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

How long does a 2 lb meatloaf take to cook at 375?

about 40 to 50 minutes
How long to cook meatloaf at 375°F? At 375°F a 1 lb meatloaf will take about 25 to 30 minutes for the meatloaf temp to reach 160°F. A 2 lb meatloaf will take about 40 to 50 minutes for the meatloaf temp to reach 160°F. A 3 lb meatloaf will take about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes for the meatloaf temp to reach 160°F.

How do you know when meatloaf is done?

A 2-pound meatloaf will reliably cook in about an hour — try not to overcook or the meat will start getting tough and crumbly. The best way to know when a meatloaf is done is by checking its internal temperature; as soon as it hits 155°F, you can pull it from the oven.

Do you need ketchup for meatloaf?

Whether you do or don’t like tomatoes, some folks just can’t hop on the ketchup train — and that’s totally okay. However, a lot of traditional meatloaf recipes include ketchup as an ingredient. … One thing’s for sure: You definitely want to make a meatloaf that retains moisture and doesn’t come out dry and crumbly.

How do you keep meatloaf moist?

Stale bread is an essential ingredient in meatloaf, as it works to bind the meat together. But blending in dry bread will take away some of the moisture from the meat. Follow this tip: For a more moist meatloaf, soak the bread in milk until it becomes thick and mushy before blending the mixture together.

Should I drain the grease from my meatloaf?

If you bake your meatloaf in a loaf pan, which ensures a moist loaf, consider draining the fat 15 minutes before the end of the cooking time to develop a crisp top. … If you cut into a loaf-pan-baked meatloaf while it is still hot, it will fall apart.

Why do you put milk in meatloaf?

The reason milk is added in meatloaf is that it soaks the bread crumbs which add needed moisture to the meatloaf. If you personally do not want to use milk you can try using low sodium beef stock, chicken stock, water, or a non-dairy milk substitute.

What can I put on top of meatloaf instead of ketchup?

Substitutes For Ketchup In Meatloaf
  1. BBQ sauce. If you want to outshine while making this family classic, go for BBQ sauce as a glaze. …
  2. Mayonnaise. Although distinct from ketchup, mayonnaise can serve the role of a glaze. …
  3. Red Salsa. Wanna try something spicy yet full of unique flavor? …
  4. Mushroom sauce. …
  5. Cheese.

Can I cook meatloaf in a glass pan?

Press mixture in ungreased 8-inch round (1 1/2-quart) glass baking dish. Bake at 350°F. for 65 to 75 minutes or until thoroughly cooked in center and meat thermometer registers 160°F. Let meatloaf stand 5 minutes.

Why does my meatloaf fall apart when I cut it?

Why Does Some Meatloaf Fall Apart? … The most common reason as to why your meatloaf may fall apart is that it doesn’t have enough binding agents, like eggs and breadcrumbs. These ingredients are key because they’re what makes the meat mixture stick together and stay together while it cooks.

Why is my meatloaf mushy?

The main cause is nearly always the wrong ratio of meat to other ingredients. The ratio of meat in a meatloaf is critical to the final texture. The main cause of a mushy meatloaf is too much bread and milk for the amount of meat. To fix the issue, try reducing the amount of bread and milk by half.

Why is my meatloaf so greasy?

Meatloaf is notorious for being greasy when cooked in a loaf pan; it basically just sits in its own fat and cooks! … The bread will absorb most of the fat from the meat as it cooks. Discard the bread before serving. You can also try using a disposable foil bread pan with holes punched in the bottom.

What does egg do in a meatloaf?

Eggs are an ingredient in nearly every meatloaf, and they have two distinct roles. Egg yolks, which are mostly water but contain a good amount of protein and fat, add flavor, richness, and moisture. They also help bind the meat together and get the loaf to set in a stable form without the need to overwork the meat.

Do you have to cook onions before putting in meatloaf?

I later learned how I could avoid this problem and make a fully smooth meatloaf by pre-cooking any vegetables, especially the onion, before adding them to the ground meat. This way the meatloaf gets the flavor without the rawness — a method from the smart people at Cook’s Illustrated.

What is the best binder for meatloaf?

Bread is the most popular meatloaf binder

Bread is one of the best and most popular binders for meatloaf. Probably because we always have lots of stale bread around. Bread works just as well whether it’s fresh, stale or dry. Any break you use should be cut or torn into very small pieces or run through a food processor.

Can I use mayo instead of eggs in meatloaf?

Basically, eggs are used in meatloaf as a binder, but there is no absolute rule that says you have to use them. In a pinch, you can substitute 1/4 cup mayonnaise for 1 egg (mayo is an emulsion of egg and oil), as a bonus the extra oil from the mayonnaise makes a moister meatloaf (okay, and a few more fat calories).

What can I put in meatloaf instead of breadcrumbs?

What are the best subs for breadcrumbs?
  1. Oats. Oats are the perfect substitutes for breadcrumbs in meatballs or meatloaf. …
  2. Crushed Chips. …
  3. Nuts. …
  4. Pretzels or Crackers. …
  5. Crushed Cereal.

Can you overcook meatloaf?

If you cook your meatloaf too long, it will become dry. But it needs to reach a safe temperature for food safety, so you don’t want “rare” meatloaf.