How Long to Cook a Meatloaf at 375°F | Cooking Guide & Tips (2024)

Making the perfect meatloaf can be challenging, especially for a beginner home cook. Not only do you need to choose the right ingredients and seasonings, but you also need to make sure it’s cooked just right! One way to ensure perfect cooking is by using an oven temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit and ensuring that your meatloaf spends enough time in that heat. But how long to cook a meatloaf at 375? In this post, we’ll explore why the key is baking it until its internal temperature reaches 160-170 degrees Fahrenheit as well as provide some tips for achieving perfection every time. So throw on some gloves and read on – we have all the answers you’re looking for about how long to cook a delicious meatloaf at 375.

What Is Meatloaf?

First, let’s discuss what we mean by “meatloaf.” Meatloaf is a traditional dish, made of ground beef or pork, mixed with various herbs and spices. It can also include other ingredients such as breadcrumbs or vegetables. The mixture is then formed into a loaf shape and baked in the oven until cooked through.

Benefits Of Cooking A Meatloaf At 375 Degrees Fahrenheit

Cooking a meatloaf at 375 degrees Fahrenheit has several benefits. First, the high oven temperature will help to create a crispy outside and juicy inside. Secondly, it helps to keep the meatloaf from drying out during baking as long as you don’t bake it for too long. Lastly, cooking at this temperature will also help to evenly cook all parts of the meatloaf, ensuring every bite is perfect.

What Is The Best Cuts Of Meat To Use For A Cooked Meatloaf?

When making a cooked meatloaf, it’s important to use the right cuts of meat. Ground beef or pork are ideal choices as they are easy to mix with other ingredients and form into a loaf shape. You can also use ground turkey or chicken, although these may take longer to cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

How Long To Cook A Meatloaf At 375?

Now that we have discussed some of the basics, it’s time to answer the big question – how long to cook a meatloaf at 375? The key is baking it until its internal temperature reaches 160-170 degrees Fahrenheit. This should take approximately one hour but may vary slightly depending on the size of your meatloaf. After this point, your meatloaf should be cooked through and ready to serve.

Factor Affect How Long To Cook A Meatloaf At 375?

After knowing how long to cook a meatloaf at 375? The baking time for a meatloaf at 375 degrees Fahrenheit can vary depending on several factors. These include the size of your meatloaf, the type of ingredients you use, and even how much fat is in the mixture. If your meatloaf contains fatty ingredients or is larger than normal, it may take longer to cook all the way through. It’s also important to note that the baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven.

How To Cook A Meatloaf At 375?

Ingredients

– 2 lbs ground beef or pork

– 1 onion, diced

– 3 cloves garlic, minced

– 2 eggs, lightly beaten

– ½ cup breadcrumbs

– ¼ cup ketchup

– 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

– 1 teaspoon salt

– ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9×5 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef or pork, onion, garlic, eggs, breadcrumbs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper until combined.

See more : How Long Can Pork Chops Stay in the Fridge? – Measuring Time

3. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and shape into a loaf.

4. Bake for one hour or until the internal temperature of your meatloaf reaches 160-170 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Allow your cooked meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

How Do I Know When A Meatloaf Is Done?

The key to knowing when a meatloaf is done is to check the internal temperature. The best way to do this is by using a food thermometer. When your meatloaf has reached 160-170 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s ready to be served. If you don’t have a food thermometer, you can also insert a knife into the center of the meatloaf. If it comes out clean, your meatloaf is done.

Tips For Cooking A Meatloaf At 375

Here are some tips to help you make the perfect meatloaf every time:

– Use a combination of ground beef and pork for the best flavor.

– Add vegetables, such as diced onion and garlic, to the mixture.

– Mix in herbs and spices for more flavor.

– Don’t overmix the ingredients – just mix until everything is combined.

– Baste the meatloaf with ketchup, Worcestershire sauce or BBQ sauce halfway through baking for a delicious glaze.

– Allow your cooked meatloaf to rest before slicing it. This will help ensure that all of the juices stay inside and it won’t dry out.

Common Mistakes When Cooking A Meatloaf At 375

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when cooking a meatloaf at 375 degrees Fahrenheit:

– Not using the right cuts of meat – ground beef or pork are ideal for a cooked meatloaf.

– Overbaking your meatloaf – this can lead to a dry end product.

– Not using a food thermometer – this is the best way to ensure your meatloaf is cooked through.

– Not basting the meatloaf during baking – this will help create a delicious glaze on top.

Suggested Accompaniments For Cooked Meatloaf At 375

Cooked meatloaf at 375 degrees Fahrenheit can be served with a range of accompaniments. Some options include mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, mac and cheese, or grilled corn on the cob. Alternatively, you can also serve your cooked meatloaf with a variety of sauces such as ketchup, Worcestershire sauce or BBQ sauce.

Variations On The Classic Meatloaf Recipe

If you’re looking for something a little different, there are plenty of variations on the classic meatloaf recipe. For example, you can add other ingredients such as grated cheese or diced bell peppers to the mixture. You could also substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef or pork. Or why not try adding some chili powder or cumin to give it a spicy kick.

Conclusion: how long to cook a meatloaf at 375

See more : How Big is a 12 Inch Pizza? – Learn about all pizza

How long to cook a meatloaf at 375? Cooking a meatloaf at 375 degrees Fahrenheit has several benefits. It will help to ensure it is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside and evenly cooked all over. To ensure your meatloaf is cooked through, check its internal temperature with a food thermometer or insert a knife into the center. This should take approximately one hour but may vary slightly depending on the size and ingredients. Once your meatloaf is cooked, serve it with a range of accompaniments or try some variations on the classic recipe.

FAQs: cook meatloaf

Is it better to cook meatloaf at 350 or 375?

Make perfect meatloaf every time by setting your oven temperature to 350 degrees F. This is the optimal temperature to ensure your meat cooks evenly without drying out. Don’t risk a burnt crust with a higher temperature or miss out on a delicious crust with a lower one. Stick to 350 for meatloaf perfection.

Should you cook meatloaf covered or uncovered?

Wondering how to cook your meatloaf? No need to cover it, but if you’re worried about burning, cover it with foil for the first 45 minutes. Then uncover for the final 15 minutes to get that perfect browned top.

Do you put water in the bottom of the pan when cooking meatloaf?

No need to add water or any other liquid to the bottom of the pan when cooking meatloaf. The juices from the meat and vegetables will be released during baking and provide plenty of moisture for your loaf. Adding additional liquids could make your meatloaf soggy.

Should meatloaf be cooked in glass or metal?

Get perfect loaves every time by adjusting your baking temperature when using glass pans. Glass takes longer to heat than metal, so your recipe’s baking time may not be accurate. Follow Pyrex’s rule of reducing the temperature by 25 degrees when using glassware. This simple adjustment will ensure your bread comes out perfectly every time.

What pans are best to cook meatloaf in?

Discover Our Top Loaf Pans to cook a perfect meatloaf:

Our favorite: Great Jones Breadwinner

Second best: Food Network Textured Performance Series Nonstick Loaf Pan

Budget-friendly: Chicago Metallic Traditional Uncoated Loaf Pan

Top glass pick: OXO Good Grips Glass Loaf Pan with Lid

Best for microwave use: Pyrex Easy Grab Glass Loaf Dish

How many minutes per pound should meatloaf be cooked?

Achieving a delicious loaf requires baking at 350°F in a typical oven. Cooking times vary by size but a handy guideline is 35 to 45 minutes per pound. It’s important to note that oven temperature affects cooking time.

How long does it take to cook a 2lb meatloaf at 375?

Discover the Truth About Meatloaf Baking: A 1-pound Meatloaf takes 35-45 Minutes to Cook at 375, while a 2-pound Loaf will take 60-80 Minutes. And finally, a 3-pound Meatloaf will take 1 1/2 to 2 Hours.

What temperature do you cook 2 lbs of meatloaf?

Cook your meatloaf to perfection at 350°F for about an hour, adjusting for size and shape. For a 2 pound meatloaf, one hour should suffice. Don’t be too eager to slice into it – let it rest for at least 10 minutes post-cooking for ultimate juiciness.

Can you cook meatloaf at a lower temperature?

Achieving a perfectly cooked meatloaf can be challenging. If your oven temperature is too high, you risk burning the outer layer while the inside remains undercooked. On the other hand, lowering the temperature could result in an under-baked crust. To avoid this problem, preheat your oven to 425°F to prevent heat loss when adding the meatloaf.

Why does my meatloaf crack when I cook it?

“Stop Your Meatloaf from Cracking: Understand the Science of Cooking”

Ever wondered why your meatloaf always ends up with unsightly cracks while cooking? It’s a common problem that can be explained by science! As meat cooks, the proteins contract and bind together. However, when the outside cooks faster than the inside, the outer proteins tighten up and leave cracks on the surface. Learn how to prevent this from happening and make a perfectly cooked meatloaf every time.

How long does it take to cook a 1.5 lb meatloaf at 350?

For a 1.5-pound meatloaf, the optimal cooking time is 45 to 55 minutes at 350°F. To check if your loaf is ready, insert a knife into the center and make sure there’s no pink meat visible. If it still looks raw in the center, cook for an extra 5 to 10 minutes and check again. Allow your cooked meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes before serving.