Cheesy Meat Loaf

Meat loaf is one of our favorite comfort foods. It’s delicious and endlessly versatile—there really are so many ways to make meat loaf—and often comes together in a snap. In this cheesy meat loaf, the classic loaf is transformed into individual loaves. The secret to its crowd-pleasing flavor is a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese. This recipe is it right up there with our cheesiest recipes ever.

This cheesy meat loaf happens to be a great make-ahead meal. You can easily double or even triple the recipe and freeze the leftovers. No doubt, these little loaves are delicious eaten fresh, but the leftovers are perfect for next-day sandwiches.

Cheesy Meat Loaf Ingredients

• Ground beef: The base for any classic meat loaf recipe is ground beef. Follow the same rules you would for buying ground beef for burgers. For the best flavor, look for ground beef with 80% lean meat and 20% fat. You can use 90% lean meat and 10% fat, but you may want to mix in ground veal or ground pork for additional fat and flavor.
• Milk and eggs: When combined with oats, milk and eggs help to bind the meat loaves together and prevent them from crumbling.
• Oats: Oats retain moisture in the meat loaves, which helps to prevent them from drying out when cooking. You can use dried breadcrumbs or crumbled crackers in place of the oats.
• Cheese: The unexpected ingredient in these mini meat loaves is the cheese! For the best flavor, use freshly grated cheddar. If you need to use pre-shredded cheese to save time, check out our Test Kitchens picks for the best cheddar cheese brands.
• Onion: Onion adds moisture to the meat loaves. For additional flavor, saute the chopped onion in a little olive oil before adding it to the meat loaf mixture.
• Ketchup: A ketchup-based sauce, flavored with brown sugar and mustard, adds a tangy-sweet flavor to the meat loaf. Adding a sauce on top of the meat loaves also prevents the loaves from drying out while cooking. Reserve any extra sauce to serve with the cooked meat loaves.

Directions

Step 1: Start the cheesy meat loaf mixture

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Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Stir in the cheese, oats, onion and salt.

Editor’s Tip: You can let this mixture stand for a few minutes so that the oats soak up the liquid and thicken a bit.

Step 2: Add the meat

Crumble the ground beef over the mixture, and mix well. Shape evenly into eight loaves, and place in a greased 13×9-inch baking dish.

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Editor’s Tip: To prevent a dried-out meat loaf, don’t overwork the meat mixture. Simply mix everything here gently until it just comes together, then shape.

Step 3: Make the sauce

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In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar and mustard. Spoon the sauce evenly over the loaves.

Step 4: Cook the meat loaves

Bake, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes or until no pink remains and a thermometer inserted into the center of each loaf reads 160°.

Editor’s Tip: Every kitchen should have an instant-read thermometer. The Thermapen One is one of our Test Kitchen faves.

Recipe Variations

• Try a different meat: You can use ground chicken or ground turkey instead of beef, though the end result may not be as moist.
• Switch up the sauce: A ketchup-based sauce is classic, but you can switch it up. Try a chili sauce or one of our Test Kitchen’s favorite barbecue sauce brands.
• Add some veggies: To pack in flavor and color, add chopped green pepper, chopped mushrooms or grated carrots to the mix.
• Change the seasonings: Sprinkle paprika, garlic powder or dried herbs like oregano, basil or Italian seasoning into the meat loaf mixture before shaping.
• Check out other cheeses: Try freshly grated mozzarella, pepper jack or Swiss in place of cheddar.

How to Store Cheesy Meat Loaf

Cheesy meat loaf leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. For best results, reheat the loaves in the oven. Set the meat loaves in a shallow baking pan, and cover with aluminum foil. Bake in a 350° oven for 25 minutes, until a thermometer inserted into the center of the meat loaf reaches 165°.

If you need dinner in a hurry, you can also reheat the meat loaves in the microwave. To do so, set on a microwave-safe plate, and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave in one-minute increments until the center reaches 165°.

How to Freeze Cheesy Meat Loaf

To freeze cooked meat loaves, first let them cool completely. Then wrap in a double layer of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of foil. Place in a freezer-safe resealable bag, and freeze for up to three months. Let the loaves thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in a 350° oven for 35 to 45 minutes, until a thermometer inserted into the center of the meat loaves reaches 165°.

To freeze the meat loaves before cooking, do not top the assembled meat loaves with sauce. Wrap the meat loaves in a double layer of plastic wrap followed by a layer of foil. Place in a freezer-safe resealable bag, and freeze up to three months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Make the sauce, and spoon it evenly over the thawed meat loaves. Bake in a 350° oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until 160°.

Cheesy Meat Loaf Tips

Can you make a regular-sized cheesy meat loaf with this recipe?

Yes, you can make a regular-sized cheesy meat loaf with this recipe! Once the meat mixture is mixed, shape it into one oval-sized meat loaf, and place in a greased 13×9-inch baking dish. Bake in a 350° oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160°.

What should you serve with cheesy meat loaf?

You can’t go wrong with the classic pairing of meat loaf with mashed potatoes. For other meat loaf sides, try creamed peas or your favorite green bean recipe (here’s how to cook green beans four different ways). Macaroni and cheese is another delicious option.

How do you make tender meat loaf?

Do not overmix your meat loaf mixture. Stir only until the ingredients are just combined. Also, take care to add the ingredients in the order they are listed; let the oats soak up the liquid from the milk and eggs before adding the ground beef.