Hamdi Saidani This easy and hearty Julia Child Meatloaf Recipe, inspired by Julia Child’s classic recipe, combines lean ground beef, sautéed onions, and a flavorful sauce. Perfect for a quick and nutritious dinner, it uses common ingredients to create a comforting meal. The key feature of this dish is its savory taste and satisfying texture.
Ingredients Needed
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup milk
- ¾ cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 2 pounds lean ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1 tablespoon ketchup or chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried parsley)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Meatloaf Sauce:
- ½ cup chili sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional)
How To Make Meatloaf Recipe
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking pan with foil and lightly grease it with cooking spray.
- Sauté the Onions: In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until they’re soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let them cool.
- Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and breadcrumbs. Let this mixture sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to absorb the liquid.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the ground beef, sautéed onions, ketchup or chili sauce, Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Mix gently until all ingredients are just combined; avoid overmixing to keep the meatloaf tender.
- Form the Meatloaf: Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared baking pan, shaping it into a loaf.
- Bake: Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes.
- Prepare the Sauce: While the meatloaf is baking, mix together the chili sauce, ketchup, and brown sugar (if using) in a small bowl.
- Add the Sauce: After 40 minutes, remove the meatloaf from the oven. Spread the sauce evenly over the top. Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
- Rest and Serve: Once done, let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This helps retain its juices and makes for easier slicing.
Recipe Tips
- Choose the Right Meat: Use ground beef with an 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio to ensure your meatloaf is moist and flavorful.
- Add Moisture-Rich Ingredients: Incorporate sautéed onions, garlic, or grated vegetables like carrots and zucchini to keep the meatloaf tender and juicy.
- Use Fresh Breadcrumbs: Opt for fresh breadcrumbs instead of dried ones; they blend better and help maintain moisture in the meatloaf.
- Avoid Overmixing: Mix the ingredients until just combined to prevent a dense and tough meatloaf.
- Let It Rest Before Slicing: Allow the meatloaf to rest for about 10 minutes after baking; this helps retain juices and makes slicing easier.
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Wrap leftovers meatloaf tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freeze: Wrap leftovers meatloaf tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe container. Label it with the date and freeze for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat.
- Reheating: To reheat leftovers meatloaf, preheat your oven to 250°F. Place the meatloaf in an oven-safe dish and heat for 10 minutes until heated through.
Nutrition Fact
Serving Size: 1 medium slice (approximately 100 grams)
- Calories: 220
Total Fat: 13.08 g
Saturated Fat: 7.04 g
Cholesterol: 55 mg
Sodium: 586 mg
Potassium: 256 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 7.04 g
Dietary Fiber: 0.91 g
Sugars: 2.26 g
Protein: 17.45 g
More Julia Child Recipes:
Julia Child Meatloaf Recipe
Description
This easy and hearty Julia Child Meatloaf Recipe, inspired by Julia Child’s classic recipe, combines lean ground beef, sautéed onions, and a flavorful sauce. Perfect for a quick and nutritious dinner, it uses common ingredients to create a comforting meal. The key feature of this dish is its savory taste and satisfying texture.
Ingredients
For the Meatloaf Sauce:
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking pan with foil and lightly grease it with cooking spray.
- Sauté the Onions: In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until they’re soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let them cool.
- Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and breadcrumbs. Let this mixture sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to absorb the liquid.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the ground beef, sautéed onions, ketchup or chili sauce, Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Mix gently until all ingredients are just combined; avoid overmixing to keep the meatloaf tender.
- Form the Meatloaf: Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared baking pan, shaping it into a loaf.
- Bake: Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes.
- Prepare the Sauce: While the meatloaf is baking, mix together the chili sauce, ketchup, and brown sugar (if using) in a small bowl.
- Add the Sauce: After 40 minutes, remove the meatloaf from the oven. Spread the sauce evenly over the top. Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
- Rest and Serve: Once done, let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This helps retain its juices and makes for easier slicing.
Notes
- Choose the Right Meat: Use ground beef with an 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio to ensure your meatloaf is moist and flavorful.
- Add Moisture-Rich Ingredients: Incorporate sautéed onions, garlic, or grated vegetables like carrots and zucchini to keep the meatloaf tender and juicy.
- Use Fresh Breadcrumbs: Opt for fresh breadcrumbs instead of dried ones; they blend better and help maintain moisture in the meatloaf.
- Avoid Overmixing: Mix the ingredients until just combined to prevent a dense and tough meatloaf.
- Let It Rest Before Slicing: Allow the meatloaf to rest for about 10 minutes after baking, this helps retain juices and makes slicing easier.
