4-Ingredient Easy Stove Top Stuffing Meatloaf

Best meatloaf recipe around! With just 4 ingredients and 5 minutes of hands-on time, you can have a deliciously simple meatloaf on the table. 

For a cozy family dinner, nothing beats meatloaf as a comfort food. While traditional meatloaf can be a time-consuming dish, this version is one of the easiest meals around. It’s a family favorite, and it’s no joke that you can make a loaf that tastes just like it came from your grandma’s kitchen with absolutely zero cooking skill. If you’re looking to impress without very little effort, this is the recipe for you. 

One of the best things about this recipe is that you can make it ahead of time to reheat on busy weeknights, or for meal prep. You can cut the meat loaf into individual portions, then combine with some roast veggies and cauliflower rice for a easy meal that’s full of protein!

What’s in 4-Ingredient Meatloaf? 

Your friends and family will never be able to guess what’s in this easy meatloaf recipe. It tastes gourmet, but it’s made from these minimal ingredients: 

• Ground Beef: I recommend 85/15 ground beef. That’s lean enough that you won’t get a greasy mess, but with enough of a fat content that your meatloaf stays tender. 
• Stove Top Stuffing Mix: You don’t have to get Stove Top brand, but instant stuffing mix is one of the secret weapons here. It’s got the bread crumbs and seasonings already in it, so a huge portion of the work and cost is contained in that little box. You can use any flavor of instant stuffing, but I like Stove Top’s savory herbs best.  It’s got great flavor that goes perfectly with the lean ground beef. 
• Eggs: Eggs provide some of the structure and moisture in this recipe. The fat from the yolks helps keep the meatloaf tender, while the protein from the whites holds everything together. 
• Ketchup: Ketchup serves to flavor the meatloaf itself, and as a glaze on the top. 
• Water: The water is here to provide a little more moisture. If you have even more lean beef than 85/15, you might need even more water to enhance your meatloaf texture. 

Making Stove Top Stuffing Meatloaf

Step 1 | Mix it up

Before you begin, set aside half of the ketchup. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, stuffing mix, 2 large eggs, 1/4 cup of ketchup, and 1/2 cup of water. Mix with a wooden spoon or your hands until you have everything well combined.  

Step 2 | Press into Pan

Line a loaf pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, or grease it with non-stick cooking spray. Press the meatloaf mixture into the pan. If you want a pretty shape on the top, use your hands to form the meat mixture into the shape you want. 

Step 3 | Bake 

Toss your meatloaf into the oven at 350° for 50-55 minutes. The loaf is done when the internal temperature reaches 160°. I recommend checking with a meat thermometer to be safe. 

Step 4 | Glaze and Enjoy!

Let your meatloaf cool for a few minutes, then use the remaining ketchup to glaze the top. You can spread the ketchup over the top of the meatloaf with a basting brush, or just use a spoon!

Your meatloaf is ready to eat. It will become less crumbly the longer you let it set, so you if you’re having trouble slicing it, just let it sit for a few more minutes. 

Substitutions

This simple recipe is a versatile base. You can make several substitutions to change the flavor of your delicious meatloaf with very little effort!

• For the ground beef: Ground turkey works very well in this recipe and is very diet-friendly. It makes this a high-protein, low-fat food. If you make it in mini loaves or muffins, ground turkey meatloaf is fantastic for meal prepping!
• For the stuffing: You can use any brand or flavor of instant stuffing. If you can’t get your hands on stuffing, you can use 1 cup bread crumbs and a package of dry onion soup mix. 
• For the ketchup: This is one place where you can really mix it up! You can use bbq sauce to create your own barbeque sauce meatloaf. Chili sauce works well also to create a meatloaf with a little kick! You can also add some Worcestershire sauce to your ketchup glaze to add a bit of umami flavor. 

How do I store the leftover meatloaf? 

You can either wrap it in plastic wrap or put it in an airtight container. It will keep for up to a week in the fridge. 

This flavorful meatloaf freezes well! Just put it in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. It will keep for up to 3 months. To thaw, just place it in the fridge overnight.