ⓘ
Meat loaf. While Ree Drummond admits that the name isn’t the most appetizing, her Pioneer Woman meat loaf proves you can’t judge a recipe by its name alone.
Made with milk-soaked bread rather than bread crumbs (as in a traditional meat loaf), wrapped in bacon and basted with a sweet yet spicy homemade sauce—her recipe is not your average meat loaf.
Don’t let the elegant bacon-wrapped exterior fool you, though—this Pioneer Woman meat loaf is easier than it looks. Like most of Ree’s comfort food recipes, this one is super approachable for cooks of all skill levels. Made almost entirely in a single bowl, it’s a fuss-free recipe perfect for busy weeknights or making ahead to serve a crowd at your next family dinner.
The Pioneer Woman’s Meat Loaf Recipe
Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home
The Pioneer Woman’s recipe makes one generously-sized meat loaf that can easily serve eight people.
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 6 bread slices
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt, such as Lawry’s
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley, minced
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 8 to 12 thin bacon slices
Sauce:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- Dash or 2 hot sauce (more if you like)
- Dash or 2 Worcestershire sauce
Editor’s Tip: Make sure to stick with thin-sliced bacon for this recipe to ensure it gets nice and crisp in the oven. While thick-sliced bacon is a dream for a BLT, it won’t cook thoroughly on this meat loaf, leaving you with a chewy and rubbery bacon shell (aka a total tragedy).
Directions
Step 1: Soak the bread
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Add the bread slices to a medium bowl and pour the milk over the top. Set aside, allowing the bread to soak for several minutes to absorb the milk.
Editor’s Tip: Don’t get too fancy with your bread. The Pioneer Woman’s go-to ingredient for this recipe is a basic, everyday loaf of soft white bread. You want something that will practically melt into the meat loaf as it bakes, so steer clear of artisan breads that are overly chewy or crusty.
Step 2: Combine
In a second large bowl, combine the beef, Parmesan, salt, pepper, seasoned salt, parsley and eggs. Add the soaked bread to the mixture. Then, using clean hands, mix the meat loaf ingredients until evenly blended.
Editor’s Tip: If you don’t love the idea of mixing meat loaf ingredients by hand, use a large food processor. Pulse the ingredients until fully incorporated, then proceed with the recipe as directed.
Step 3: Shape
Transfer the meat mixture to a foil-lined broiler pan (or a sheet pan lined with oven-safe cooling racks), shaping it into a long and stout loaf.
To ensure the meat loaf cooks in the specified time, aim for a loaf that is roughly 15 inches long and 6 inches wide.
Step 4: Wrap with bacon
Lay the bacon slices over the top of the meat loaf, overlapping slightly to ensure the meat loaf is fully encased in bacon once cooked. Tuck the ends of the bacon under the meat loaf, pulling them taut to give the meat loaf stability and shape. Set aside.
Step 5: Mix the sauce
Next, mix up the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, dry mustard powder, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Brush one-third of the mixture over the top and sides of the meat loaf and set the remaining aside.
Editor’s Tip: If your family is sensitive to heat, omit the hot sauce. If you don’t have brown sugar on hand, honey would also work well in this recipe.
Step 6: Cook
Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home
Bake the meat loaf for 45 minutes, then baste with another one-third of the sauce. Continue to cook for an additional 20 to 25 minutes until cooked through.
Editor’s Tip: Meat loaf should not be pink in the middle. If you want to guarantee a perfectly cooked meat loaf every time, invest in a simple instant-read thermometer. Near the end of cooking, insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat loaf. When it registers an internal temperature of 160°, it’s done.
Step 7: Rest and serve
Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home
Remove the meat loaf and let rest, uncovered, for 10 to 15 minutes. Cut into slices and serve with the remaining sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy! Hungry for more? Check out our collection of stuffed meatloaf recipes.
Here’s What I Thought
Lauren Habermehl for Taste of Home
All hail Ree Drummond! She’s the queen of meat loaf recipes (and this tasty Pioneer Woman chili).
I’ve eaten a lot of meat loaf in my life, and this recipe is hands-down my favorite. (Dare I say, it’s even better than this Ina Garten meat loaf?)
I had never made a meat loaf using soaked pieces of fresh bread before (or these other secret meat loaf ingredients), but I loved the supreme moisture and slightly springy texture it lent to the recipe. The sweet yet slightly spicy sauce was also a fantastic finish. It gave the meat loaf so much flavor and made the bacon-wrapped exterior beautifully caramelized and crisp.
The only thing I would change if I made this recipe again? My choice of pants. I found myself going back for a second third helping of this divine meat loaf, so pants with an elastic waistband are highly recommended.
Try These Other Delicious Meat Loaf Recipes
Mom’s Meat Loaf Learning how to make meat loaf comes down to using the right meat and adding a few binding ingredients. This crowd-pleasing recipe does just that and wins every time—whether it's served with mashed potatoes and buttery
homemade rolls or sandwiched between two pieces of bread for lunch.
Air-Fryer Meat LoafThere's nothing our trusty air fryer can't handle, including making a killer meat loaf. Juicy and well-seasoned, it cooks in about half the time as an oven-baked loaf and employs a gorgeous glaze to boot.
Moist & Savory Meat LoafThis savory meat loaf checks all the delicious boxes for a dinner the whole fam will love. With a sweet, tangy sauce baked onto the top and crushed-up cheese crackers studded throughout, everyone will be reaching for seconds.
Li’l Cheddar Meat LoavesEverything is better in mini form, including meat loaf. Whether you're whipping up a batch for the kiddos or trying to serve smaller portions to the adults, these tiny cheddar loaves are sure to hit the spot and are ready in under an hour. Pair them with these
mini pies and tarts for an equally cute dessert.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Meat LoafIYKYK when it comes to Cracker Barrel's legendary meat loaf, and this copycat version is a tried-and-true dupe that, dare we say, might even beat the original. Packed with melty cheese, chopped veggies and buttery Ritz crackers, there's a reason this is one of our most-clicked recipes.
Meat Loaf from the Slow CookerMaking a meat loaf from scratch may seem daunting, but not when you have a set-it-and-forget-it appliance like a slow cooker to do all the work. This hands-off dish cooks in the background, and cleanup is effortless—no wonder it's one of our favorite
ground beef slow-cooker recipes.
Home-Style Glazed Meat LoafYou'll never have to worry about dry meat loaf again once you taste this glazed beauty. It's perfectly moist in the center and smothered in a silky sauce on top. Instead of topping the loaf with ketchup alone, we simmer ketchup, brown sugar and Dijon mustard together, then coat it for an unforgettable sweet and tangy flavor.
Grilled Meat LoafGrilled meat loaf is the perfect summertime twist on a comforting family favorite and only requires 10 minutes of prep time. A bit of ketchup brushed over the smoky meat lends a sweet note to each slice and oats sneak in an extra dose of protein. Be sure to use
quick-cooking versus old-fashioned oats since they're precooked and will soften with the moisture of the meat loaf.
Ham LoafNever heard of ham loaf? This retro recipe is said to have originated in Amish and
Pennsylvania Dutch communities when butchers turned leftover ham into loaves that families could purchase to glaze and bake at home. You could even add pineapple to the mix for extra sweetness or hot pepper jelly for a kick.
If you like the sound of this ham loaf recipe, don't miss our favorite
vintage recipes from the '50s.
Cheeseburger Meat LoafWe love
comfort food mashups, and cheeseburger meat loaf definitely falls into that category. Take your favorite part of a burger (
ahem, the cheese!), roll it into the meat and top the roll with it. Just add a side of
homemade french fries to round out the meal.
Ina Garten's Meat LoafWhat's more comforting than a classic, family-favorite meat loaf? The
Barefoot Contessa's unfussy recipe recruits ground chuck, onions, breadcrumbs and fresh thyme to craft a simple loaf, with ketchup spread over the top.
Instant Pot Meat LoafInstant Pot meat loaf captures all the flavor of a traditional meat loaf, yet it's so easy to make, thanks to a fast cooking method that seals in moisture. Although cooking time may vary depending on your appliance, you'll know the loaf is ready to glaze once the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Lentil LoafYou won't even miss the meat in this vegetarian loaf that's ideal for meatless Mondays, Lent or any time when you're eating plant-based. Sauteed vegetables, savory lentils and mushrooms, and melty mozzarella make for one seriously satisfying meal.
Onion Meat LoafThe secret is out: A packet of Lipton onion soup mix is the key to a well-balanced, perfectly seasoned meat loaf. The best part? No measuring spoons required. While Lipton is our favored brand here, you can use any brand of mix for this recipe or make your own
onion soup mix from scratch.
Meat Loaf MuffinsMeat loaf doesn't usually work for passed party apps, but in this case, mini meat loaf muffins are bite-sized morsels everyone will be clamoring to get their hands on. Considering they bake up in under 30 minutes, you'll be able to whip up another batch on the fly when the first runs out.
Meat Loaf with OatmealHearty and wholesome, this is one loaf oatmeal lovers are sure to enjoy. Swapping out the usual bread crumbs with quick-cooking oats makes for a healthier alternative with a wonderful texture. But whatever you do, don't skip the Worcestershire sauce. That's the holy grail ingredient needed for a superior loaf.
Mini Meat LoavesThis freezer-friendly mini meat loaf recipe makes dinnertime a breeze. Corn-and-rice cereal adds crunch to the loaves while helping them maintain moisture. If your family likes extra sauce, double the ketchup topping recipe, and reserve the leftover sauce for dipping.
The Pioneer Woman's Favorite Meat LoafWhile Ina's meat loaf errs on the simplistic side, Ree's goes the over-the-top route. Wrapped in bacon and topped with a zippy sauce, The Pioneer Woman's meat loaf is a true masterpiece. What truly sets it apart (other, than
ahem, that saucy bacon crust) is that it's made with milk-soaked bread rather than bread crumbs. Chef's kiss would be an understatement.
Italian Meat LoavesIf your family loves American classics with an Italian twist, this recipe is proof of how to do it right. It yields 10 miniature loaves for individual servings, so you can cook what you need for dinner tonight and freeze the rest for later.
Serve this pork meat loaf with your favorite
Italian bread and a side salad, or keep it traditional and pair it with
creamy mashed potatoes.
Smoked Meat LoafMeat loaf naysayers can say what they want about bland, tasteless loaves, but it's likely they haven't met this bursting-with-flavor, slow-smoked loaf that's fragranced by hickory and mesquite and melts in your mouth. Pro tip: When it comes to slicing, use a serated knife so you don't make a mess of the delicate brick.
Venison Meat LoafEven wild game skeptics won't be able to resist this tender, flavorful meat loaf with a brown sugar-mustard topping. This recipe features 100% ground venison, but you can also opt for a ground venison-pork-beef mix.
BBQ Meat Loaf MinisFor a fun play on traditional meat loaf, try these mini barbecue loaves that can be sprinkled with cheese, then baked for 18 to 22 minutes in a muffin tin. There are a couple of ways to guarantee a juicy barbecue meat loaf every time: Don't overmix the meat when combining the ingredients, and don't overcook the loaves. The longer the loaves cook, the tougher the meat can become.
Turkey Meat LoafWhile beef and pork may be the go-to meats for meat loaf, turkey is a wise choice for a leaner option. Fat-free milk, shredded carrots, oats and ketchup also impart lots of flavor, without spiking the caloric counts in this recipe.
Taco Meat LoavesTired of the same old taco Tuesday fare? Toss a few Mexican-inspired ingredients—like Picante sauce, olives, corn and south-of-the-border seasonings—with ground beef, mold the mixture into a loaf, then let it bake up under a layer of melty, gooey cheddar cheese for the ultimate taco-style meat loaf.
15-Minute Microwave Meat LoafGiven all the ways to cook meat loaf that we've highlighted in this list, using the microwave to make a loaf probably hasn't crossed your mind. Don't discount this useful kitchen tool, however; a flavorful microwave meat loaf is actually ideal for busy nights since it only takes 15 minutes to execute.
Mozzarella Meat LoafIf you can't get your kids to eat their meat loaf, try "dressing up" the usual recipe with pizza toppings. Peppers and mushrooms sauteed in butter, melted mozzarella cheese and a lacquered layer of pizza sauce will change their minds immediately.
