Meatloaf is an old-school comfort food dish that many Americans grew up with .
It was a favorite of my parents and mine as well.
A truly classic taste, meatloaf is savory and satisfying , but also light and healthy.
This recipe is sure to please the whole family.
The savory blend of ingredients makes this dish a crowd pleaser .
What ingredients do you need for Erin French’s meatloaf recipe ?
The only ingredients you will need are:
- 3 pounds lean ground beef
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup dry bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon thyme
If you prefer , you can also use pork or venison instead of beef.
How long does it take to cook Erin French’s meatloaf recipe ?
With meatloaf, timing is everything .
It is best served at room temperature or slightly warm.
I like to serve it hot out of the oven for dinner or for an even heartier lunch option.
Some recipes say to cook it for a bit longer than others , but I prefer rare to medium-rare for this reason.

What type of meat is used in Erin French’s meatloaf recipe ?
You can use ground meat , but that’s not as labor intensive as other options.
Use leftover roast beef or turkey, a chopped pork chop or ground chicken and seasonings to create this dish .
Tenderloin, sirloin tip and round steak are also great options.
A loaf of breadcrumbs gives this dish a heartier texture than most meatloaves.
Even better , these loafs of breadcrumbs can be substituted for gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Naturally gluten-free breadcrumbs will work in the recipe recipe too .
Is Erin French’s meatloaf recipe a savory or sweet dish ?
This meatloaf is more than just meat , applesauce and breadcrumbs.
It is a classic comfort food recipe that has been around for ages.
The style of meatloaf varies from family to family , but what remains the same is the nature of the dish itself.
This savory style dish is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed by everyone .
When I was younger , my father would make a version of this dish with just ketchup, but we now know this isn’t true meatloaf.
My father used to use a simple sweet sauce made out of mustard and brown sugar.
We may have not called it meatloaf back then , but it was meatloaf alright !
What is the recommended temperature for baking Erin French’s meatloaf recipe ?
The recommended temperature for baking this dish is 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
This means that if you’re making this dish at home , set your oven to that temperature when you’re preheating it.
Include the meatloaf in the middle of the oven when you start it, and take it out once it’s done .
It’s best to eat immediately after baking so take the meatloaf out before it gets cold.
Does Erin French’s meatloaf recipe use any special herbs or spices ?
Erin French’s meatloaf recipe is classic comfort food that uses only a handful of ingredients to create a satisfying meal .
Here are the meats , spices and herbs that make this dish so great.

What type of pan is best for baking Erin French’s meatloaf recipe ?
Many families have their own special pan or baking dish that they use for baking.
This is especially true when it comes to non-stick pans , which are popular these days .
A good non-stick pan will allow you to bake any recipe without having to worry about splatters of grease, or the substance falling through the cracks.
When it comes to baking meatloaf , baking dishes made from aluminum foil, Corningware or similar are also acceptable.
If you are using a Pyrex bowl, you may want to line it with oiled foil instead of using Non-Stick cooking spray .
The aluminum foil will prevent the aluminum from sticking to the bowl.

Is there a particular sauce that goes best with Erin French’s meatloaf recipe ?
No , there is no particular sauce that goes best with this recipe.
Use your favorite sauce or spice it up a bit with some ketchup or mustard .
You can also add a few drops of Worcestershire sauce to give it a delicious extra kick.
I recommend homemade sauces as they are generally easier and much healthier than store-bought varieties.
Does Erin French’s meatloaf recipe require any precooking of the ingredients ?
No matter which version of meatloaf you choose, the meat will always be the same .
The ingredients for meatloaf are all cooked at the beginning so that it is ready to be assembled into a loaf when the meatloaf is finished cooking.
For this reason , no precooking is necessary.
Just combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and mix together until well combined.
Does Erin French’s meatloaf recipe require any basting or glazing of the meatloaf while baking ?
With this recipe , all you need to do is brush the meatloaf on top with an egg-and-milk mixture and bake.
Your meatloaf will come out beautifully browned and moist, a perfect balance of savoriness and flavor .

Ingredients
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- 1½ pounds ground pork
- ¾ cup shredded carrot
- ½ cup chopped shallots
- ½ cup shredded pecorino
- 2 cups ½-inch bread cubes such as crusty sourdough
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 6 to 8 twists of pepper
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
- START THE MEATLOAF: In a big basin, mix all of the meatloaf ingredients with your hands until they are just equally distributed. Avoid overmixing. Between two 9 x 5-inch loaf pans, divide the mixture.
- HOW TO MAKE THE GLAZE: Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl.Each meatloaf's top should have a thick layer of glaze applied to it. Place in the oven, and bake for 45 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer registers 150°F.After allowing the meatloaf to rest for 10 to 15 minutes, remove the mold, slice it, and serve.