Amazing Easy stuffing meatloaf in 50 minutes

It’s that day of the week again, the one where you look in the fridge and panic because dinner needs to happen fast. If you’re like me, you need dependable recipes that pull together using what you already have on hand. That’s why I’m so excited to share my absolute go-to: the Easy stuffing meatloaf. This isn’t some fussy recipe that requires a run to the specialty store; it’s pure, comforting dinner magic made from pantry staples that bakes up surprisingly fast.

Hi, I’m Anna Kowalska, and here I share tried-and-true homemade recipes that you and your family will love. I believe everything made around our dinner tables should be made with heart and flavor, and this meatloaf is the definition of that philosophy. It’s moist, flavorful, and uses that box of stuffing mix you probably already have hiding in the cupboard!

Why You’ll Love This Easy stuffing meatloaf Recipe

• It’s lightning fast to put together—seriously, ten minutes of prep time!
• You use simple pantry ingredients, meaning fewer last-minute grocery runs for you.
• The stuffing mix keeps the ground beef incredibly moist, so you never get that dry, crumbly texture.
• It’s total comfort food that gets rave reviews from even the pickiest eaters in the family.

Gathering What You Need for Easy stuffing meatloaf

Don’t stress about complicated shopping lists for this one. We are leaning heavily on staples here. Before you preheat that oven, take a quick look at your pantry to make sure you have these few simple things ready to go. It’s all about having what you need right when you need it!

Essential Ingredients for Your Easy stuffing meatloaf

• One pound of ground beef (I prefer that 80 percent lean, it gives the best flavor).
• One box of that pre-seasoned stuffing mix—chicken or savory herb works perfectly.
• Two large eggs, just for binding everything together.
• Three-quarters of a cup of water, which hydrates the stuffing mix beautifully.
• Half a cup of ketchup, divided—this is for mixing in and for the glaze on top.
• Half a teaspoon of black pepper—don’t skip the seasoning!

Equipment Needed

• A large mixing bowl.
• A standard loaf pan (9×5 inches is perfect).
• A good meat thermometer to check that internal temperature safely.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Easy stuffing meatloaf

Okay, now that everything is gathered, let’s get this dinner going! This process is so straightforward that you’ll wonder why you didn’t start making stuffing meatloaf years ago. We move fast, but we move gently—that’s the secret to keeping it tender.

Preparing the Meatloaf Base

First things first, get your oven talking to you! You need to preheat it right now to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While that’s warming up, grab your standard loaf pan and give it a quick little grease job so nothing sticks later. Trust me on this prep work.

Next, grab your big mixing bowl. This is where the magic happens. You’re going to dump in your ground beef, the entire box of dry stuffing mix—yes, dry, don’t cook it first!—your two eggs, the water, and that bit of black pepper. Then, measure out a quarter cup of that ketchup and add it to the bowl too.

Now, here is my biggest tip for tenderness: mix gently! Use your hands or a wooden spoon, but stop mixing the second everything looks combined. If you knead this like bread dough, you are going to end up with a tough, dense brick. We want tender, so just fold it until you don’t see dry pockets of stuffing mix anymore. That’s it!

Forming and Topping the Easy stuffing meatloaf

Take that perfectly mixed meatloaf batter and gently press it into your greased loaf pan. Don’t smash it down hard; just press it evenly so the top is relatively flat. You want it to look nice before it goes in the oven, after all!

Now for the glaze! Take the remaining quarter cup of ketchup and spread it out in a nice, smooth, even blanket over the top of the meatloaf. This keeps the top moist and gives you that classic, slightly tangy crust we all love when we eat meatloaf.

Baking and Resting Your Easy stuffing meatloaf

Time for the oven! Slide that pan carefully into your preheated 350°F oven. You are going to bake this for about 50 to 55 minutes. Because we are using ground beef, food safety is important, so make sure you check the temperature!

You are looking for the meatloaf to hit 160 degrees Fahrenheit right in the very center. Use your food thermometer for accuracy—it’s the only way to be 100 percent sure it’s safe and perfect. Once it reads 160°F, pull it out. Don’t slice it immediately! Let it rest right there in the pan for about five minutes. This resting period lets the juices settle back into the meat, which keeps your easy stuffing meatloaf incredibly moist when you finally cut into it.

Tips for Perfect Easy stuffing meatloaf Results

Even though this recipe is super easy, a few little tricks can take it from good to absolutely amazing. These are the lessons I learned after making dozens of these for my family over the years. Don’t skip the thermometer check—that’s non-negotiable for safety and texture!

• For an even richer flavor, try soaking your stuffing mix in the water for about five minutes before adding it to the ground beef. This helps it hydrate evenly without needing too much extra liquid.
• If you hate getting your hands messy, try mixing everything right in the loaf pan itself! Just be extra careful not to scratch the pan while folding the ingredients together gently.
• If you find your meatloaf is too soft to hold its shape when you slice it hot, that means it needed that full five minutes of rest. Seriously, resting is critical for structure.
• You can easily swap out half the ground beef for ground pork or turkey if you want to change up the flavor profile, but remember to check that final temperature carefully for those leaner meats.

Serving Suggestions for Your Easy stuffing meatloaf Dinner

This easy stuffing meatloaf is the definition of a classic, comforting dinner, so you need sides that match that cozy feeling. Honestly, you can’t go wrong serving this with a big pile of creamy mashed potatoes. They are perfect for soaking up any extra juices or that little bit of ketchup from the top.

Keep the rest of the plate simple! A side of steamed green beans or some quick roasted carrots makes for a complete meal. It tastes just like Sunday dinner, even if you made it on a Tuesday night. It’s easy, hearty, and everyone leaves the table happy.

Storing Leftover Easy stuffing meatloaf

Leftovers are the best part of this recipe, and they keep really well! Make sure you let the meatloaf cool completely before you put it away. Store tightly wrapped or in an airtight container in the fridge. Here’s how to handle the leftovers:

Action	Instructions
Storage Time	Up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Reheating Slices	Microwave covered for 1-2 minutes, or bake slices at 325°F until warmed through.
Freezing	Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then foil; freeze for up to 2 months.

Frequently Asked Questions About Easy stuffing meatloaf

I get so many questions about tweaking this recipe because everyone loves customizing their comfort food! Here are a few things people often ask me when they are getting ready to bake their first easy stuffing meatloaf.

Can I substitute the ground beef in this Easy stuffing meatloaf?

You absolutely can! While the original recipe calls for ground beef, you can often swap it out for ground turkey or ground pork. Just remember that leaner meats, like turkey, might dry out a little faster. If you use those, you might want to add an extra tablespoon of water or even a little splash of Worcestershire sauce to keep that moisture locked in. Always double-check that internal temperature, no matter what meat you use!

How do I know when the Easy stuffing meatloaf is fully cooked?

This is the most important question, honestly, because we want this meal to be safe and delicious! You must use a food thermometer. The internal temperature needs to read 160 degrees Fahrenheit right in the very center of the loaf. If you just poke it with a knife, you might guess wrong. 160°F means you are perfectly safe, and the juices will be set nicely after that short rest period.

Can I make this Easy stuffing meatloaf ahead of time?

Yes, you can definitely prep this ahead of time, which is a lifesaver on busy weeknights! You can mix all the meatloaf ingredients together—the beef, the stuffing mix, eggs, everything—and press it into the loaf pan. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you are ready to bake, just take off the plastic, put on the ketchup topping, and add about 10 extra minutes to the bake time since it’s starting cold.

Nutritional Estimates for Easy stuffing meatloaf

I always try to keep track of what we are eating, but I have to tell you, these numbers are just estimates! Since brands of stuffing mix and ketchup can change the sugar and sodium content so much, you should always double-check if you are tracking specific macros closely. But this gives you a good general idea of what a hearty slice of this easy stuffing meatloaf looks like!

Nutrient	Estimate Per Serving (Yields 6)
Calories	420
Protein	26g
Fat	24g
Carbohydrates	24g

Remember, this only estimates the meatloaf itself, not the mashed potatoes or gravy you might add on top! It’s a satisfying meal that keeps you full.

Share Your Easy stuffing meatloaf Experience

I truly hope this easy stuffing meatloaf becomes a staple on your weeknight rotation just like it is here! Once you try this simple recipe, I’d love to hear what you thought. Please leave a comment below telling me how it turned out for your family. Don’t forget to give it a quick star rating so others know it’s a keeper!

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