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Serve up perfectly juicy, tender meatloaf every time with my guide to Meatloaf Cook Time and Temp! From baked to air fried to slow cooked, I've got all the best tips and temps to ensure the next meatloaf you cook will be the best one yet.
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Cooking Meatloaf
Meatloaf is one of my favorite weeknight dinners! It's so easy to mix together, serves my whole family with ease, and even makes enough for delicious leftovers perfect for a Meatloaf Sandwich lunch the next day.
Best yet, it's so easy to cook. Once you know the basic temperature and cook time, you're all set to go! No matter how big or fancy the meatloaf, you'll be ready to cook it to juicy, tender perfection every time.
Meatloaf Internal Temp
Unlike many other beef meals, meatloaf isn't a dish that has a sliding scale of desired internal temperatures! You always want meatloaf to read 160°F with a meat thermometer. This will ensure that the ground beef is fully cooked, and that all of the add-ins are done!
How Long to Cook Meatloaf
- Baked Meatloaf: A 2 pound meatloaf will take roughly 40 minutes to cook at 375°F. Be sure to cook it longer for a larger meatloaf, and monitor with a meat thermometer.
- Crockpot Meatloaf: Cook meatloaf in the crockpot for 7 hours on LOW or 3 hours on HIGH. Check out my slow cooker meatloaf recipe!
- Air Fryer Meatloaf: Air fryers cook faster than traditional ovens, so they only take 25 minutes. Make two perfect servings in one go with my air fryer meatloaf recipe!
Meatloaf cooking time varies between cooking methods, so it's always a good idea to make sure you know just how long to cook up tonight's dinner!
Just remember that, like all meat recipes, the most important thing is the internal temperature. Always use a meat thermometer and make sure it reads 160°F before removing it from the heat and letting it rest.
Ready to get cooking? Scroll to the bottom of the page for my all-time-favorite Mozzarella-stuffed Italian Meatloaf recipe!
Meatloaf Oven Temp
To cook the perfect meatloaf, set the oven to 375°F. You can even set it higher at first to account for heat lost when the door is opened. Then cook it until a meat thermometer reads 160°F, pull it out to rest, slice, and serve!
Meatloaf Cooking Tips
- Always check the internal temperature! Because pan sizes and materials vary, cooking time varies too! Make sure to check the temperature 15 minutes before the meatloaf is expected to be done cooking to make sure it doesn't overcook.
- Don't over-mix meatloaf! Just mix it for 30-40 seconds, until the mixture is well integrated but not too dense. If you keep mixing it for too long, the fibers will break down too much and become tough.
- Start the oven at a higher temperature before setting it down to 375 once the meatloaf is added. This will keep the oven from getting too cool when the door is opened, and make the cooking time more consistent.
- For an extra crispy crust, add the glaze halfway into the cook time. This will let the crust of the meatloaf cook to a nice crisp before soaking up all that delicious glaze.
For the best meatloaf you've ever cooked, make sure to have just the right seasonings and glaze! Check out my perfectly-portioned Meatloaf Seasoning recipe, and top it off with Meatloaf Glaze!
Meatloaf Temp and Time FAQ
To cook a 2 lb meatloaf at 350°F, leave the meatloaf in the oven for one hour, checking the temperature after 45 minutes. The cook time for meatloaf can vary depending on the size and material of the pan, so always keep an eye on it!
For a classic 2 lb meatloaf baked in the oven at 375°F, the cook time should be 40 minutes. Lower the cook time to 30 minutes for a 1 lb meatloaf, but make sure to always check the internal temperature and make sure that it reads 160°F before removing it!
It's recommended to cook meatloaf to around 160°F, as the USDA recommends 165°F for all ground beef. However, ground beef is frequently served at lower temperatures in the form of burgers! Your meatloaf will be OK, but it wouldn't hurt to stick it back in the oven for a few more minutes, just to be safe.
Meatloaf is cooked uncovered. This will ensure a nice crispy crust and sticky, caramelized glaze! Covering meatloaf steams the meat instead of just baking it, which can lead to dense, overly moist meat that might not be the consistency you were hoping for.
Temperature Guides
- Beef Temperature Chart - Start here for all things beef!
- Burger Temperature Chart
- Prime Rib Temperature Chart
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📋 Recipe
Meatloaf Temps
Equipment
- 2 Large bowls for soaking bread and combining meat mixture
- 1 9 by 5 inch loaf pan
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 1 pound Ground sausage
- 4 slices White bread
- 1 cup Milk of choice; we used whole milk
- 2 Eggs
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Oregano
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- ½ cup Tomato sauce
- ½ cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ block Mozzarella cheese optional, for stuffing the inside of the meatloaf
See our Beef Temperature Chart for helpful tips on cooking any cut of beef!
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375℉. In a shallow bowl, add slices of bread and pour milk over top. Allow the bread to soak for about 5 minutes.4 slices White bread, 1 cup Milk
- While the bread is soaking, combine ground beef, ground sausage, garlic powder, dried oregano, Parmesan cheese, Italian breadcrumbs, and 2 eggs in a large bowl. Mix well.1 pound Ground beef, 1 pound Ground sausage, 2 Eggs, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon Garlic powder, ½ teaspoon Oregano, 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- Squeeze any remaining milk out of the bread and add the bread to the meat mixture. Mix well.
- Spray a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Add the meat to the loaf pan and spread it evenly.
- Create a hollow line in the middle of the meat mixture and add blocks of mozzarella cheese. Cover back up with meat. (Optional, but stuffed meatloaf is the best!)½ block Mozzarella cheese
- Top with tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese.½ cup Tomato sauce, ½ cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes or until the cheese is golden and melted. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Always check the internal temperature! Because pan sizes and materials vary, cooking time varies too! Make sure to check the temperature 15 minutes before the meatloaf is expected to be done cooking to make sure it doesn't overcook.
- Don't over-mix meatloaf! Just mix it for 30-40 seconds, until the mixture is well integrated but not too dense. If you keep mixing it for too long, the fibers will break down too much and become tough.
- Start the oven at a higher temperature before setting it down to 375 once the meatloaf is added. This will keep the oven from getting too cool when the door is opened, and make the cooking time more consistent.
- For an extra crispy crust, add the glaze halfway into the cook time. This will let the crust of the meatloaf cook to a nice crisp before soaking up all that delicious glaze.
Nutrition
» About Me
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