Introducing the best Instant Pot Meatloaf Recipe, a quick, flavorful favorite! With minimal prep, enjoy a moist, delicious dish in no time. Perfect for busy nights or cozy meals. Say goodbye to kitchen stress and hello to simple, satisfying comfort!
Served with creamy mashed potatoes or your favorite sides, this Pressure Cooker Meatloaf Recipe is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
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Why This Recipe Works
There are various reasons why you'll love making meatloaf in an Instant Pot.
- Quick: First and foremost, it's a quick and easy meal that can be ready in just over an hour. This is perfect for busy weeknights when you don't have a lot of time to cook.
- Flavor: Using an Instant Pot allows the flavors to really develop and infuse into the meatloaf.
- Tender: The pressure cooking method helps to tenderize the meat and lock in all the delicious juices, resulting in a moist and flavorful dish.
📋 Ingredients
- Lean Ground Beef: Is the main protein source, providing a rich, hearty flavor and texture that forms the base of your beef meatloaf.
- Red Bell Peppers: Add a sweet, slightly tangy flavor and a bit of crunch, which contrasts nicely with the soft, savory meatloaf.
- Egg: Acting as a binding agent, the egg helps hold all the ingredients together to maintain the shape of the meatloaf.
- Nature’s Seasoning: A blend of spices designed to enhance the natural flavors of the meat and vegetables.
- Garlic Powder & Paprika: Contribute a warm, savory depth to the overall flavor profile of the meatloaf.
- Parsley: Adds a hint of freshness and a pop of color to the meatloaf, balancing out its richness.
- Ketchup: Provides a tangy sweetness that complements the savory flavors of the meatloaf, and creates a delicious glaze on top when cooked.
- Bread Crumbs: Help to bind the mixture together and add a bit of lightness to the texture of the meatloaf.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a complex, umami-rich flavor that deepens the savory qualities of the meatloaf.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Nature's Seasoning: If you don't have Nature's Seasoning on hand for your meatloaf recipe, you can create a substitute using a combination of common spices. Nature's Seasoning typically includes salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and sometimes a touch of celery seed or parsley.
🔪How to Make Instant Pot Meatloaf
- Step 1: In A Bowl, combine the beef, peppers, and spices. Add the Worcestershire sauce, crumbs, egg, and ¼ cup of ketchup.
- Step 2: Mix the meat mixture together until combined.
- Step 3: Spray the spring mold pan with oil and place the meatloaf mixture inside. Set the pan on the trivet in the instant pot with 1 cup of water in the Instant Pot. Set Instant Pot to high pressure for 1 hour.
- Step 4: Naturally release pressure (let it sit when done) for 10 minutes and Quick Release the rest of the pressure for 5 minutes. When done, remove the pan and set it to rest on a baking sheet. Your tender meatloaf is now ready to serve
👩🍳 Expert Tips
Everyone wants to make sure their food comes out juicy and delicious! Check out these tips to make sure it comes out great the first time:
- Don't Skip Any Ingredients. Eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire etc don't just add flavor and texture, they help make the meat juicier.
- Add More Veggies. This recipe calls for bell peppers, but you can add more flavor by adding shredded carrots and sweet onions.
- Sauté The Veggies. Another great way to make this recipe burst with flavor is to sauté the veggies before adding them into your ground beef. This will not only add more flavor, but more moisture to your meat.
- Use Tin Foil. Since meatloaf typically creates a lot of liquid, you can place foil around the pan to make the sides taller and prevent spills. You can also use tin foil to create handles around the spring foam pan so you can easily lift it out of the Instant Pot.
- Never Cook In The Inner Pot. Meatloaf has to be cooked using the pot in pot method. If you attempt to cook it just inside the inner pot, you will get the dreaded burn notice.
💭 FAQs
What Is Pot-in-pot (PIP) cooking is a technique often used with electric pressure cookers, like the Instant Pot, but it can also be applied in other cooking methods. In PIP cooking, you cook food in a separate container (usually a heatproof bowl, dish, or pan) placed inside the main pot of the pressure cooker, rather than directly in the cooking pot itself.
Ground beef is the most common type of meat used in meatloaf, but you could also use ground pork, lamb, turkey, or a combination of meats. If you’re looking for a leaner option, go for ground turkey or chicken.
I love to top my meatloaf with ketchup, BBQ sauce, or even a simple meatloaf glaze made from brown sugar and mustard. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could try a savory topping like blue cheese or horseradish. You could also use tinned tomatoes, brown sugar, and porridge oats for a crispy topping.
There is no need for beef broth or chicken broth in this recipe as the meatloaf is a pot-in-pot recipe.
Store Meatloaf in the fridge for 2-3 days. Freezing cooked meatloaf is a great way to save time in the kitchen. Simply form and bake the original recipe, cool completely in the refrigerator, then wrap in foil or freezer paper and freeze for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite side dishes to serve with Meatloaf:
- Dinner Rolls : Soft and fluffy, perfect for soaking up meatloaf juices.
- Potato Wedges : Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside – a classic favorite.
- Garlic Bread : Buttery and garlicky goodness to complement the hearty meatloaf.
- Mashed Cauliflower : A low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes, creamy and delicious.
- Honey Glazed Carrots : Sweet and savory, adding a touch of elegance to your plate.
- Brussels Sprouts : Roasted to perfection, a flavorful and healthy choice.
- Seasoned Rice : Light and fluffy rice with a hint of seasoning for a balanced side.
- Broccoli Salad : A refreshing crunch with a tangy dressing, a great contrast to meatloaf.
Instant Pot Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. Ground Beef
- 1 Red Bell Pepper
- 1 Egg
- 2 tablespoons Nature's Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ½ tablespoon Parsley
- ½ cup Ketchup
- 1 cup Panko crumbs
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Dice the pepper
- In a mixing bowl, add beef, peppers, spices, Worcestershire sauce, crumbs, egg, and ¼ cup of ketchup. Mix together until combined
- Spray spring mold pan with oil and place meat mixture inside. Set the pan on the trivet in the instant pot with 1 cup of water in the instant pot.
- Set instant pot to high pressure for 1 hour.
- Manually release pressure when done and set aside to rest before removing from pan.
Notes
Nutrition
🍜 Related Recipes
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Question: I only bake meatloaf in my regular oven about am hour total—why am I cooking it for an hour? Next time, wouldn’t perhaps 25 minutes be enough to cook thoroughly and infuse flavor? Did you try out different pressure cook times when experimenting with this recipe?