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A freshly baked healthy ground beef meatloaf, perfectly sliced to show its texture.

Healthy Ground Beef Meatloaf with Seven Sides

This healthy ground beef meatloaf is packed with flavor and nutrients, offering a delicious and balanced meal when paired with a variety of healthy sides. It's an easy-to-make dish perfect for family dinners.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6 slices
Course: Breakfast
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meatloaf
  • 1.5 lbs Lean Ground Beef (90% lean or higher)
  • 1 medium Onion finely diced
  • 1 medium Carrot grated or finely diced
  • 2 stalks Celery finely diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup Rolled Oats (or whole wheat breadcrumbs)
  • 1 large Egg beaten
  • 1/4 cup Milk (or unsweetened almond milk)
  • 2 tablespoons Ketchup (for glaze)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce (divided: 2 tsp for mix, 1 tsp for glaze)
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Italian Seasoning (or a mix of oregano and thyme)
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper

Equipment

  • Loaf pan
  • Baking sheet
  • Skillet
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Instant-read thermometer

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a loaf pan or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Sauté the diced onion, carrot, and celery in a skillet over medium heat until softened; then add minced garlic and cook for one minute more until fragrant, and let cool slightly.
Mixing and Baking
  1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, cooled vegetables, rolled oats, egg, milk, 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  2. Mix the ingredients gently with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overmix to ensure a tender meatloaf.
  3. Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan and press it down, or shape it into a free-form loaf on the baking sheet.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup and the remaining 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, then spread this glaze over the top of the meatloaf.
  5. Bake for 55-65 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C), using an instant-read thermometer.
  6. Once cooked, remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute.
Serving
  1. While the meatloaf bakes and rests, prepare your chosen side dishes according to their specific instructions.
  2. Serve slices of the Healthy Ground Beef Meatloaf with your selected side dishes for a complete and balanced meal.

Notes

For optimum flavor and texture, do not overmix the meatloaf mixture. Resting the meatloaf after baking is crucial for a juicy result. Experiment with different healthy side dishes to complement your meal.