17 Meatloaf Dinner Recipes That Reinvent the Classic Comfort Food

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Meatloaf has stood the test of time, but it doesn’t have to feel like a relic. There are countless ways to refresh this classic comfort food while keeping it just as hearty and satisfying. These meatloaf dinner recipes are anything but predictable, blending new ingredients and flavors to give the dish a modern spin. Whether you’re looking to spice things up or give your go-to recipe a makeover, there’s something here for everyone. Ready to turn your meatloaf game up a notch?

Bomb Meatloaf

Sliced meatloaf with a glazed top garnished with chopped parsley, accompanied by fresh parsley sprigs on a white plate.
Bomb Meatloaf. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This one doesn’t mess around—loaded with flavor and ready to steal the spotlight. It belongs on any list of meatloaf dinner recipes that actually live up to the hype.
Get the Recipe: Bomb Meatloaf

Quick and Easy Mini Meatloaf Recipe on a Sheet Pan

A plate with a serving of meatloaf topped with red sauce, accompanied by green beans and mashed potatoes.
Quick and Easy Mini Meatloaf Recipe on a Sheet Pan. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Fast, no fuss, and everything cooks at once? That’s dinner doing you a favor. Add it to your stack of meatloaf dinner recipes that actually make weeknights easier.
Get the Recipe: Quick and Easy Mini Meatloaf Recipe on a Sheet Pan

Dutch Oven Peppered Bacon Meatloaf

Bacon-wrapped meatloaf topped with parsley, served on a wooden table with mashed potatoes and peas with feta in separate dishes.
Dutch Oven Peppered Bacon Meatloaf. Photo credit: Dutch Oven Daddy.

When bacon shows up and stays crisp, you know dinner’s about to win. It’s one of those meatloaf dinner recipes that comes out looking like you planned everything days in advance.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Peppered Bacon Meatloaf

Italian Meatloaf

A sliced meatloaf is served in a round pink pan with tomato sauce, surrounded by fresh herbs, green bell pepper halves, and kitchen ingredients.
Italian Meatloaf. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Packed with herbs and smothered in marinara, this meatloaf leans bold in all the right ways. It deserves a spot in your meatloaf dinner recipes lineup for when spaghetti night needs a break.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatloaf

Mini Meatloaf

Three mini meatloaves topped with a layer of glossy red sauce, arranged on a white rectangular plate.
Mini Meatloaf. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Cute, quick, and no fighting over slices—what’s not to like? Add this one to your go-to meatloaf dinner recipes if you’re into fast cleanups and no leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Mini Meatloaf

Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf Recipe

A plate with sliced meatloaf topped with gravy and parsley, served alongside mashed potatoes.
Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf Recipe. Photo credit: Easy Homemade Life.

It hides a gooey surprise and still holds its shape—go ahead and cut into it with a grin. For meatloaf dinner recipes that don’t play it safe, this one comes through.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf Recipe

How To Make The Best Damn Wagyu Meatloaf

Two slices of meatloaf with a tomato glaze on a brown dish, accompanied by a striped towel and a wooden spatula. A bowl of side dish is partially visible in the background.
How To Make The Best Damn Wagyu Meatloaf. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Fancy beef in meatloaf form might sound unnecessary, but one bite says otherwise. Slide it into your best meatloaf dinner recipes list for those nights when you feel like spoiling yourself.
Get the Recipe: How To Make The Best Damn Wagyu Meatloaf

Smoked Meatloaf

Sliced meatloaf with a tomato glaze is arranged on a wooden cutting board, placed on a rustic wooden table.
Smoked Meatloaf. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

That slow, smoky flavor turns this into more than just a weeknight default. It earns its place among meatloaf dinner recipes that you’ll want to brag about later.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Meatloaf

Low Carb Meatloaf with Cheese and Leeks

A cross-section of a leafy wrap containing a dark filling with melted cheese in the center.
Low Carb Meatloaf with Cheese and Leeks. Photo credit: Low Carb No Carb.

This one skips the breadcrumbs but doesn’t feel like it’s missing anything. Toss it on your meatloaf dinner recipes roster when you want something solid without the carb crash.
Get the Recipe: Low Carb Meatloaf with Cheese and Leeks

Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole

A close-up of a serving of shepherd's pie, featuring a layer of mashed potatoes topped with crispy bacon bits over a layer of minced meat.
Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

It’s got that hearty meat-and-potatoes vibe with way less effort than it looks like. This combo lands right in the middle of meatloaf dinner recipes that hit the comfort food mark.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole

Mini Meatloaf in the Air Fryer

Four individual meatloaves topped with ketchup glaze are arranged in a row on a white plate.
Mini Meatloaf in the Air Fryer. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Quick cook time, crispy edges, and less waiting around? Yes, please. If you’re curating meatloaf dinner recipes that work with your air fryer obsession, this one fits perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Mini Meatloaf in the Air Fryer

Meatloaf with Creamy Onion Gravy

A plate with two slices of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and gravy, garnished with a sprig of rosemary, next to a fork and knife.
Meatloaf with Creamy Onion Gravy. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

This one comes with its own built-in excuse to pour gravy on everything. Keep it on hand for meatloaf dinner recipes that feel extra without being extra.
Get the Recipe: Meatloaf with Creamy Onion Gravy

Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf

Rectangular dish with baked food covered in creamy white sauce, garnished with chopped parsley, beside a bowl of sauce and a bunch of fresh parsley on a wooden board.
Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf. Photo credit: Trina Krug.

A little cheesy, a little saucy, and definitely not your grandma’s meatloaf. Toss this into your mix of meatloaf dinner recipes for a fun break from ground beef.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

A plate with two slices of meatloaf topped with ketchup, mashed potatoes with butter, and cooked baby carrots, with a bowl of mashed potatoes in the background.
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

It hits that perfect balance between nostalgic and just plain good. You’ll want this one in your pile of meatloaf dinner recipes for nights that need a little comfort without the drive.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Easy Vegan Lentil Meatloaf Recipe

Three slices of lentil loaf topped with tomato glaze, garnished with chopped herbs, on a white background.
Easy Vegan Lentil Meatloaf Recipe. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Just because it skips the meat doesn’t mean it skimps on flavor. This is one of those meatloaf dinner recipes that holds its own at the table—even with the meat-lovers.
Get the Recipe: Easy Vegan Lentil Meatloaf Recipe

Meatloaf Casserole

A serving of shepherd's pie with a top layer of mashed potatoes and scattered green herbs, revealing seasoned ground meat underneath.
Meatloaf Casserole. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

It’s meatloaf plus mashed potatoes in one dish, which is pretty much a dinner mic drop. This belongs with meatloaf dinner recipes that don’t ask for sides because they already handled it.
Get the Recipe: Meatloaf Casserole

Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf

A meatloaf topped with melted cheddar cheese, chopped bacon, and pickle slices sits on a plate. Bowls of vegetables are in the background.
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

All the drive-thru flavors without the drive. It earns a top spot in your list of meatloaf dinner recipes that play nice with picky eaters and second helpings.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf

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