If you have a delicious meatloaf recipe that is just begging to be made, then finding out how long to cook meatloaf at 375°F in the oven is essential. Everyone wants their meatloaf perfectly cooked with its juicy inside and golden-brown crusty outside. Knowing exactly how long to cook your meatloaf will ensure it comes out of the oven as moist and flavorful as possible – plus, cooking time can vary depending on several factors such as ingredients, size of the loaf pan used, and even altitude. To take all of these variables into account when determining the exact amount of time need for your perfect batch of meatloaf, read on for our detailed guide on how long to cook meatloaf at 375°F.
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What is meatloaf?
Meatloaf is a dish made from ground meat, typically beef or a combination of beef and pork, mixed with other ingredients such as breadcrumbs, eggs, onions, and seasonings. The mixture is then shaped into a loaf and baked in the oven. This hearty dish can be served hot or cold and is often accompanied by gravy, ketchup, or barbecue sauce. It’s a classic comfort food that is loved by many and can easily be customized with different ingredients to suit personal tastes.
How long to cook meatloaf at 375?
How long to cook meatloaf at 375? As a general rule, meatloaf should be cooked at an internal temperature of 160°F to ensure that it is fully cooked and safe to eat. With this in mind, the recommended cooking time for a 1-pound meatloaf at 375°F is approximately 45 minutes. This estimate can vary depending on the factors mentioned above, so it’s always best to use a food thermometer to check if your meatloaf has reached the appropriate temperature before removing it from the oven.
Do you cook meatloaf at 350 or 375?
When preparing meatloaf, one common question arises – should you cook it at 350 or 375 degrees? The cooking temperature can significantly impact the outcome, determining whether your dish turns out mouthwatering or dry. Both temperatures are viable options, but each will yield a different result.
350°F: Slow and Steady
Cooking meatloaf at 350°F is considered the classic approach. This temperature allows the meat to cook gradually, resulting in the fat rendering and flavors infusing throughout. The slow cooking process ensures even internal temperature, resulting in a moist and tender texture.
375°F: Crispy and Speedy
Opting for 375°F will give your meatloaf a slightly different result. The higher temperature promotes faster cooking, leading to a slightly firmer exterior and caramelization. However, cooking at this temperature may result in some moisture loss, potentially yielding a drier end product.
Which is the better choice – 350 or 375?
When cooking meatloaf, the better choice between 350°F and 375°F depends on your desired outcome and cooking preferences. For a tender and juicy texture, with patience as your friend, opt for 350°F. However, if you prefer a slightly crispy crust and caramelization, 375°F might be the ideal temperature for you.
Steps to cook meatloaf at 375
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F. While the oven is preheating, you can start preparing your meatloaf.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine your ground meat with your other ingredients. This typically includes breadcrumbs, beaten eggs, chopped onions, and seasonings. Mix all ingredients until they are fully integrated.
Step 3: Shape the meat mixture into a loaf. You can do this by hand or by pressing the mixture into a loaf pan. If you’re using a loaf pan, make sure to lightly grease it before adding the meat mixture to prevent sticking.
Step 4: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven. If you shaped your meatloaf by hand, place it on a baking sheet before putting it in the oven.
Step 5: Bake the meatloaf at 375°F for approximately 45 minutes. Remember, this is an estimate – cooking times can vary based on several factors, so it’s important to check the internal temperature.
Step 6: Use a food thermometer to ensure the meatloaf has reached an internal temperature of 160°F. If it hasn’t, continue cooking and check the temperature again in a few minutes.
Step 7: Once the meatloaf has reached the appropriate temperature, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before cutting and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meatloaf, making it moister and more flavorful.
How do i know when a meatloaf is done?
A 2-pound meatloaf cooked at 375°F will usually be done in about an hour. However, it is important to avoid overcooking it as it may result in a tough and crumbly texture. To determine if your meatloaf is done, check its internal temperature. Once it reaches 155°F internally, remove it from the oven.
Tips for making the best meatloaf recipe at 375
For the best meatloaf recipe at 375°F, consider adding a different meat alongside the beef like pork or lamb for added flavor. Adding small pockets of cheese throughout the meatloaf will result in a gooey, salty surprise in every slice.
FAQ for cook meatloaf
How long does it take to cook a 2 pound meatloaf at 375?
The recommended cooking time for a 2-pound meatloaf at a temperature of 375°F is approximately 40 to 50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Do you cook meatloaf covered or uncovered?
Cook the meatloaf uncovered at a temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you’re worried about it burning, you can cover it with foil for the initial 45 minutes and then uncover it for the final 15 minutes to allow the meatloaf to brown on top.
Should meatloaf be room temp before cooking?
For advance preparation: Prepare and shape the meatloaf into a loaf pan 1-2 days in advance. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. Allow it to come to room temperature before baking. You can also prepare the meatloaf sauce several days in advance and refrigerate it. Bake the meatloaf at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Is it better to cook meatloaf at 350 or 400?
Meatloaf can be cooked at either 350°F or 400°F. Cooking at 350°F produces a tender and moist result, preserving the natural juices and flavors. It offers a forgiving cooking process, reducing the risk of overcooking and drying out the meatloaf.
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’d drop the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and add 15 minutes. An hour and 15 for a 2 pound meatloaf.
You really don’t need a “bread pan” to cook the meatloaf. I use a bread pan to “shape it then remove it” and allow the meatloaf to “free form cook”.
I used cling film (AKA “Saran Wrap”) to line the bread pan:
Typically, a meatloaf takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to cook at 375°F (190°C). However, cooking times can vary based on the size and thickness of the meatloaf. It’s essential to use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 160°F (71°C) for ground meat dishes like meatloaf.
Use a digital thermometer that you stick into the middle of the meatloaf. Pull it out of the oven at 155F and let it rest up to 160F. Although you can theoretically find its degree of doneness by touch, that takes lots of experience and isn’t particularly accurate. Other methods (color of juices running from a hole, taking a heat index with a metal skewer) are notoriously unreliable in this case.
You’re probably using a mixture of pre-ground beef and pork so this isn’t the time to mess around with medium rare meat. Take it all the way to well done unless you bought the meat from a reputable supplier and ground it yourself under sanitary conditions. Still, there’s really no benefit to cooking meatloaf to less than well done if you made it properly.
To make it even better, pull the meatloaf out of the oven when it reaches about 140F, brush BBQ sauce or ketchup all over the surface, and return it to the oven at about 450F to glaze it off.