Pork and beef meatloaf is an easy and versatile main dish for those cool fall and winter evenings. Add a few sides for a healthy, hearty and filling meal.
When I think of a cozy fall evening, I imagine a quaint crackling fire, the smell of cider simmering on the stove and a nice spread laid out on the table. Ahhhhh!
Meatloaf fits into that picture- it's the ultimate comfort food! It is versatile and just about any side dish goes well with it.
I used to think the best meatloaf recipe was the one my mom made, from the Looneyspoons cookbook. That one's still pretty great, but I prefer this one for the taste and the ingredient list!
One of my favorite reasons to make a meatloaf like this pork and beef recipe is that it is SO simple and easy and my daughter loves helping mix everything together.
It's also quite different from a classic meatloaf recipe, but contains familiar, delicious flavors! There's no tomato paste, brown sugar, bell pepper or bread crumbs. A layer of crispy bacon replaces the classic ketchup glaze. And I like it that way.
You can also double it to freeze for future use.
Is Pork and Beef Meatloaf Healthy?
There are many health benefits to including a variety of meats in your diet, especially when the animals are certified organic and pasture-raised. This meatloaf is also made with whole, simple ingredients, unlike many traditional recipes.
Beef - Red meat contains a high amount of iron. Beef also has amino acids and is a complete source of protein. Vitamins and minerals that are abundant in beef include zinc, selenium and much more.
Pork - A high-protein meat containing lots of fat. Unlike other meat sources, pork is particularly rich in thiamine which is a B vitamin that is essential for proper bodily functions. Selenium and zinc are also found in pork as well as many other nutrients and minerals. You wouldn't think it, but it's also a good source of vitamin C!
Oat flour (oats) - Known to aid in lowering high cholesterol levels and have a higher amount of protein than most other grains. The carbs in oats are mostly fiber and starches which are very important for proper digestion.
Eggs - One of the most nutritious foods we can eat. They are packed with vitamins, calcium and zinc. Eggs can be considered a superfood because they are so perfectly designed to be a complete source of protein. Have you noticed the bright orange yolks from free-range chickens? That is a sign of good wholesome nutrients that the hen consumed through her foraging and running around. But beware, some farms actually add turmeric to their feed to turn the yolks more orange to trick you into thinking the egg is healthier. That’s why it’s important to know how the chickens were raised!
Onion- Adds fibre and some vitamins and minerals.
Bacon - The icing on this cake! I use homemade bacon without nitrates if I have it (it's really easy to make if you haven't tried it, but you do need a smoker). If I'm out, I will buy bacon from the store, which isn't the best health-wise because most are made with nitrates. The amount is so little that I just don't sweat it. You do what you can, right?
Can You Combine Pork and Beef?
Pork and beef make an excellent combination for flavor and texture. The high fat content of both types of meat ensures better results because your dish won’t dry out while cooking, which is great for something like a meatloaf.
You could substitute either meat for ground veal, ground chicken, ground turkey, etc. You can really use any combination of meats but always try to include half pork, half beef or another fatty meat, so you get an ultra tender meatloaf. This is not the time for lean ground beef!
How to Freeze Uncooked Meatloaf
Freezing a meatloaf for future use is a great option for a quick and easy meal. Frozen meatloaves make very nice and practical gifts for new moms, elderly grandparents, a sick family, etc.
A raw meatloaf freezes very well and this way you get the full flavors at the time of cooking.
To freeze uncooked meatloaf, simply mix all the ingredients together as you would if you were baking it right away. Then wrap with plastic wrap and double wrap in another airtight freezer bag, or another layer of plastic wrap to help ensure freshness and prevent freezer burn. Frozen uncooked meatloaf will last up to 4-6 months in the freezer.
When planning to use the frozen raw meatloaf, it is best to place it in the fridge the night before to begin thawing, then bake as directed in the recipe. If you don’t thaw it beforehand, simply bake it 1½-2 times longer.
How to Freeze Cooked Meatloaf
Meatloaf can be frozen after cooking for future use. Again, it makes a great gift ormeal for when you have unexpected company. Making and preparing food to have on hand for future uses is a top-notch time and energy saver for anyone!
To freeze cooked meatloaf, allow it to cool after baking. If you are making it in a loaf pan, you can remove it from the pan and wrap it in aluminum foil or cover the baking dish with foil. Then wrap well in plastic wrap, to ensure freshness and prevent freezer burn. When ready to use, you can thaw it ahead of time, or place the foil-wrapped loaf or pan directly in the oven. Remember to allow for extra time to re-heat.
Side Dish Ideas for Meatloaf
Rice or potatoes are great side dishes for this beef and pork meatloaf recipe, along with a vegetable or two. Instant pot mushroom rice works very well and can be kept on the warm setting for several hours until ready to serve. Pan fried asparagus with garlic or sauteed kale and spinach are vegetable sides that complement meatloaf well.
Tools You May Need
Loaf pan (you can also get special meatloaf pans that have a removable tray with holes in the bottom for easy removal and drainage of grease)
How to Make Pork and Beef Meatloaf
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 onion, minced
- ½ cup oat flour (or ⅔ cup rolled oats)
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon dried ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 5 thick-cut slices of bacon (or about 8 regular bacon), diced
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 450°F.
If you don't have oat flour, blitz rolled oats in a food processor until it becomes a coarse flour consistency.
Mix spices together in a small bowl. Add meat, raw onion, oat flour, eggs and spices to a large bowl. Use your hands to knead the mixture until it's well combined.
If you prefer not to get your hands dirty, you can mix everything with a potato masher. Alternatively, you could use a food processor to combine the ingredients, but the meatloaf mixture will have a finer texture.
Press the meat mixture into a 9x4 inch loaf pan and smooth the top out (no need to grease it).
Sprinkle the pieces of bacon in an even layer on top of the meat loaf.
If you have really fatty bacon, you may want to put your loaf pan on a baking sheet to catch any drippage.
Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and bake for an additional 1½ hours. The bacon should be crispy on top and the loaf no longer pink in the middle.
If you'd like to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer, it should reach 160°F.
I usually cut and serve right in the baking pan, because it can be difficult to remove from a regular loaf pan. But it can be done if you're careful!
How to Store Pork and Beef Meatloaf
Store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Did you try this recipe? If so, I would really appreciate a 5-star rating and your comments below! Thanks!
Side Dish Ideas
- Instant Pot Mushroom Rice
- German Red Cabbage
- Pan-Fried Asparagus with Garlic
- Easy Roasted Cauliflower
- Sauteed Kale and Spinach
More Main Dishes
- Butternut Squash and Sausage Casserole
- Grilled Salmon Burgers
- Fried Chicken without Flour
- Baked Pesto Salmon
- Oven Baked BBQ Beef Short Ribs
📖 Recipe
Pork and Beef Meatloaf
Yield: 1 meatloaf
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Pork and beef meatloaf is an easy and versatile main dish for those cool fall and winter evenings. Add a few sides for a healthy, hearty and filling meal.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 onion, minced
- ½ cup oat flour (or ⅔ cup rolled oats)
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon dried ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 5 thick-cut slices of bacon (or about 8 regular bacon), diced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- If you don't have oat flour, blitz rolled oats in a food processor until it becomes a coarse flour consistency.
- Mix spices together in a small bowl. Add meat, raw onion, oat flour, eggs and spices to a large bowl. Use your hands to knead the mixture until it's well combined. If you prefer not to get your hands dirty, you can mix everything with a potato masher. Alternatively, you could use a food processor to combine the ingredients, but the meatloaf mixture will have a finer texture.
- Press the meat mixture into a 9x4 inch loaf pan and smooth the top out (no need to grease it).
- Sprinkle the pieces of bacon in an even layer on top of the meat loaf.
- If you have really fatty bacon, you may want to put your loaf pan on a baking sheet to catch any drippage.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and bake for an additional 1½ hours. The bacon should be crispy on top and the loaf no longer pink in the middle.
- If you'd like to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer, it should reach 160°F.
Notes
I usually cut and serve right in the baking pan, because it can be difficult to remove from a regular loaf pan. But it can be done if you're careful!
Store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 535Total Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 202mgSodium: 625mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 48g
This nutrient calculation is done by an automated calculator and may not be accurate.
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