This is your best recipe for a classic, juicy, and savory meatloaf now soft and tasty with plenty of flavor to boot. It is easy to prepare this one of comfort food quickly, and delivers rich, satisfying flavours befitting a first-class restaurant meal. And it is sure to prove a smash hit with family meals Sunday dinner or the few who drop in unexpectedly any other time of day.
Why Lipton Onion Soup Makes This Meatloaf So Special
Lipton Onion Soup mix is what makes this meatloaf so extraordinary. It insinuates a deep onion flavor into your meat and at the same time keeps it tender as can be. As opposed to homemade spice blends which can be hit-or-miss the Lipton mix will give you a consistently perfect flavor every time.
p.s.: Don’t let this message fall on ears of those who substitute regular onion powder for Lipton. They’ll just not be happy with what they’ve got!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s the short list of ingredients for 6 to 8 servings:
- 2 lbs of meatloaf mix (beef, pork, veal) or 2 lbs ground beef 80/20
- 1 packet Lipton Onion Soup Mix (dry)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk or water
- 1/4 cup ketchup (plus extra for glaze)
Make the Taste Buds Work Harder With:
- Worcestershire sauce
- Dried thyme
- Brown sugar for glaze (optional)
- Hot sauce for a jolt of spice
Complete Directions
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil for easy clean-up.
Step 2: Mix the Meat
In a large bowl, use your hands to combine the meat and Lipton Onion Soup Mix, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk or water and ketchup.
Tip: Overmixing will make your meatloaf dense. So just mix until everything is combined.
Step 3: Shape the Meatloaf
Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in the prepared baking pan.
Step 4: Add the Glaze
Pour ketchup over entire top of loaf. If you like, mix a little brown sugar, mustard and hot sauce together for extra flavor.
Step 5: Bake
Bake for about 1 hour or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Let it sit for 15 minutes after it has been sliced to keep all those delicious juices inside.
Meatloaf Variations
- Classic: Follow recipe
- Spicy: Add hot sauce to ketchup glaze
- Herby: Add dried herbs such as thyme or rosemary
- Bacon Topped: Lay bacon slices on top before baking
- Sweet & Tangy: Blend ketchup with prepared mustard and treacle
Tips for Making the Perfect Meatloaf
- Don’t knead the mixture too much as it becomes tough.
- Use a mixture of beef, veal and pork – the flavor and moisture enhance each other.
- Check the roast in the middle – it is cooked through and juicy.
- Before carving, allow the roast to rest to lock in all those delicious juices.
Serving Suggestions: Mix it up with mashed potatoes and gravy, tomatoes stuffed with corn or a nice vegetable salad.
Side Dishes That Go Well With Meatloaf
- Mashed potatoes cloaked in a garlic and creamy texture
- Baked Karma
- Pimientos Roasted
- Honey-glazed carrots
- Almondine Green Beans
Freezing Meatloaf
It can go in whole before or after being baked in the kitchen cabinet.
Before baking:
Mound, wrap in plastic and foil, and store for up to 3 months in the freezer. Cook it after it’s thawed.
After baking: Permeate the loaf tightly and freeze. Heat it up in the oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can ground beef be used exclusively?
Yes! Use 80/20 ground beef for juiciest results. Very lean beef will make your meatloaf dry.
Q: What about mini meatloaves?
Mini meatloaves cook fast and are great for family dinners or fun parties.
Q: Can I skip the eggs?
Eggs are what holds the loaf together. For a vegan equivalent, try flax eggs or a mixture of bread crumbs and milk instead.
Q4: What is the best glaze for this meatloaf?
Perfect is to season with classic ketchup. For variation, mix your hot sauce and mustard. Ketchup can be combined with brown sugar instead of pure ketchup for variety.
Why This Recipe Is Special
This Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf simply has a better balance between flavor and moisture. Without the dry feeling so many recipes now posted on the internet offer, its savory onion taste in full and crunchy form is especially delightful to eat. For satisfaction in a meal that requires hardly any effort but turns out really well, it is hard to beat therefore. With the option to tart it up in taste or sweeten things down, and the roving freedom that comes with adding herbs where you see fit, Lipton Onion Soup Mix supplies a deep, rich onion flavor without much trouble. The recipe also allows for experimentation: you can spice or sweeten it up — add as much fine or rough chopped herbs as you like.
Final Words on this Lipton Onion Soup Meat Recipe
Want meatloaf that’s juicy, full of flavor, and easy to make? This classic Lipton Onion Soup Meat Loaf recipe is the answer. Any family dinner or special occasion is just perfect for this dish, which combines:
- Simplicity (=quick prep)
- Flexible style (=with two or three degrees of variation)
- Speedy results
Serve with your favorite side dishes. Slice thickly. Enjoy one of the best whole meals out there.