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A serving of lightened-up classic meatloaf on a white plate, garnished.

Lightened-Up Classic Meatloaf

Enjoy a healthier take on a comfort food classic with this lightened-up meatloaf recipe. Made with lean ground meat and packed with flavorful vegetables, it's a delicious and satisfying meal for any night of the week.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 6 slices
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Small Skillet
  • Large Bowl
  • Large Baking Dish (9x13 inches)
  • Small Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Meat Thermometer

Ingredients
  

Meatloaf Mixture

  • 1.5 lbs Lean Ground Meat (90-93% lean ground beef or a blend of lean beef and ground turkey)
  • 1 small Onion finely diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 0.5 cup Bell Pepper finely diced (any color)
  • 0.5 cup Whole Wheat Breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs, crushed oats, or crushed saltine crackers)
  • 1 large Egg
  • 0.25 cup Milk (Skim or Low-Fat)
  • 1 tablespoon Ketchup divided
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce divided
  • 1 teaspoon Mustard (Dijon or Yellow)
  • 1 teaspoon Salt (or to taste)
  • 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper (or to taste)
  • 0.5 teaspoon Dried Herbs (oregano or thyme recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon Olive Oil

Optional Additions

  • 2 cups Chopped Vegetables (Potatoes, Carrots, or Green Beans for roasting)

Glaze

  • 3 tablespoons Ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Mustard

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper until softened, then let them cool slightly.

Mixing and Shaping

  • In a large bowl, gently combine the cooled vegetables with the ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and dried herbs, being careful not to overmix.
  • Lightly grease a baking dish and shape the meat mixture into a loaf in the center.

Optional Vegetables and Glaze

  • If desired, arrange chopped potatoes, carrots, or green beans around the meatloaf, drizzling them with olive oil and seasoning with salt and pepper.
  • Whisk together the remaining ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard in a small bowl to create the glaze.

Baking and Finishing

  • Bake the meatloaf and any vegetables in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 35 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven, spoon the glaze over the meatloaf, and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) and vegetables are tender.

Resting

  • Let the meatloaf rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to ensure it remains moist and flavorful.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meatloaf mixture. To avoid a dry meatloaf, be careful not to overmix the ingredients. The resting period is crucial for a juicy result!