This stove top stuffing meatloaf is a dream come true recipe. It’s so delicious, moist, tender, quick, and easy to make! Who doesn’t love a recipe like that?
This is in my family’s regular dinner rotation, year-round! My kids and hubby are absolutely crazy about this and they always clean their plate when this is on it!
My family loves meatloaf so you know I have more than one easy and delicious recipe for you to try next! My family has been making this brown sugar meatloaf literally for 3 generations, so you know it’s good. We also love Cracker Barrel meatloaf, or Alton Brown meatloaf.
If you love easy, comforting meals like this, be sure to check out my full collection of ground beef recipes for even more family-friendly dinner ideas.
DO YOU COOK THE STUFFING BEFORE YOU PUT IT IN THE MEATLOAF?
NO! You do not prepare the stuffing. It is used as an ingredient that you simply pour into the bowl and then add the hot water as directed below in # 2 in the instructions.
HOW TO MAKE STOVE TOP STUFFING MEATLOAF 4 INGREDIENTS
My version of this recipe (on the recipe card below) has 8 ingredients and is super simple to make. I think the extra ingredient makes this taste even better. If you want something quicker, I’ve got you. YES! You can make this with just 4 ingredients here’s how.
Ingredients
- 1-(6 ounce) box Stove Top stuffing mix-any flavor you like
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 2 eggs-beaten
- 2 pounds ground beef
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177ºC). Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with 2 sheets of aluminum foil, extending over the long edges by 2 inches on each side. Spray with cooking spray.
- Combine stuffing mix and hot water in a large mixing bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes.
- Add ground beef and beaten eggs to the bowl. Mix until evenly combined. Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared pan.
- Place meatloaf on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 55 to 60 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.
STOVE TOP STUFFING MEATLOAF IN MUFFIN TINS
- Spray muffin tins with nonstick cooking spray.
- Prepare the meatloaf mixture as directed below.
- Fill muffin tins to the top.
- Prepare glaze as directed below.
- Spread sauce evenly over the top of meatloaf muffins
- Bake at 350°F (177ºC) for 35 minutes.
IS IT BEST TO COOK MEATLOAF COVERED OR UNCOVERED?
If you make an unglazed meatloaf, it’s best to cover it before baking it to keep it moist. If you glaze the meatloaf, you don’t need to cover it, the glaze will keep the moisture in.
INGREDIENTS FOR STOVE TOP STUFFING MEATLOAF
Meatloaf:
- Stove Top stuffing mix: Any flavor will work.
- Hot Water: I use the hot water from my instant hot.
- Ketchup: I generally use Heinz or Hunts.
- Eggs: I use large eggs.
- Onion Powder: Adds just a bit of onion flavor.
- Garlic Powder: Adds the perfect touch of garlic.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds great depth of flavor.
- Ground Beef: I like to use 80/20 to keep the meatloaf tender and juicy.
Ketchup Glaze:
- Ketchup: Use your favorite brand.
- Brown Sugar: You can use dark or light brown sugar. Be sure to pack it when you measure.
- Dry Mustard: Adds a warm toasty pungent flavor.
- Liquid Smoke: Adds the perfect amount of smokiness.
TIPS
- Salt: This stove top stuffing meatloaf is one of the few recipes you won’t find me adding salt to. The stuffing mix has enough salt in it to flavor the meatloaf perfectly.
- All Flavors Stuffing Mix Will Work! My favorites are chicken, savory herbs, or pork.
- Ground Beef: I like the flavor 80/20 ground beef brings to this recipe. Feel free to use lean ground beef like 90/10 if you’re watching your fat intake.
- Check Internal Temperature: Cooking time will vary from oven to oven. Use an instant-read thermometer or a meat thermometer to check for correct doneness. It should be 160 degrees according to Food Network.
STORING + FREEZING + MAKE-AHEAD
- How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge? This can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Can You Freeze This? Yes, place it in an airtight container for 3-4 months. I like to place 1-2 slices in individual resealable bags in the freezer.
- Make-Ahead Tips: Bake this ahead, refrigerate, and reheat.
- Food Safety: If you’d like more info on food safety check out this link.
VARIATIONS
- Make Mine Turkey: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey!
- BBQ Sauce: Instead of making the glaze to top the meatloaf, use prepared barbecue sauce instead.
- Bacon Makes Everything Better! Skip the glaze and make a bacon lattice top for the meatloaf before baking instead.
- Brown Gravy: Skip the glaze and use an envelope of brown gravy mix to serve with the meatloaf instead.
- Flavor: Any flavor of the stuffing mix will work. Try making this with different flavors for variety.
- Sandwiches: Leftovers make great sandwiches when sliced! Sometimes I make 2 loves just to make sure I have enough leftover meatloaf to make meatloaf sandwiches.
SERVING RECOMMENDATIONS
My favorite things to serve with this are my copycat KFC coleslaw, Southern Style green beans, brown sugar carrots, Popeyes mac and cheese, and/or make ahead mashed potatoes.
Bo Berry biscuits, butter swim biscuits, or Bisquick biscuits top things off perfectly!
HOW TO MAKE STOVE TOP STUFFING MEATLOAF
- Combine stuffing mix and hot water.
- Add ketchup, eggs, onion powder, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Mix.
- Add ground beef.
- Mix until evenly combined.
- Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared pan. Smooth out the top.
- Make the glaze. Stir together all the glaze ingredients.
- Spread the glaze over the top of the mixture.
- Bake. Serve.
***See full instructions below.
MORE HEARTY RECIPES
- Hamburger Stew
- Spaghetti Recipe with Ground Beef
- Hamburger Casserole
- Porcupine Meatballs
- Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Dorito Taco Salad
- Alton Brown Shepherd’s Pie
- Chili Cornbread Casserole
- Sloppy Joes
- Jalapeño Popper Meatloaf
TRIED THIS RECIPE?
Leave a review, I love hearing your feedback! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Stove Top Stuffing Meatloaf
Ingredients
Meatloaf:
- 1 (6-ounce) box Stove Top stuffing mix (any flavor)
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 pounds ground beef
Glaze:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with 2 sheets of aluminum foil, extending over the long edges by 2 inches on each side. Spray with cooking spray.
- Combine stuffing mix (1 box) and hot water (1/2 cup) in a large mixing bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes.
- Add ketchup (1/2 cup), eggs (2), onion powder (1 teaspoon), garlic powder (1 teaspoon), and Worcestershire sauce (2 teaspoons) and mix until evenly combined. Let sit for 5 minutes.
- Add ground beef (2 pounds) to the bowl. Mix until evenly combined.
- Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared pan, pressing lightly to smooth out the top.
- Stir together all the glaze ingredients. Spread glaze evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
- Place meatloaf on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 55 to 60 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.
Fans Also Made:
Notes
- Salt: This is one of the few recipes you won't find me adding salt to. The stuffing mix has enough salt in it to flavor the meatloaf perfectly.
- All Flavors Stuffing Mix Will Work! My favorites are chicken, savory herb, or pork.
- Ground Beef: I like the flavor 80/20 ground beef brings to this recipe. Feel free to use a lean ground beef like 90/10 if you're watching your fat intake.
- Check Internal Temperature: Cooking time will vary from oven to oven. Use an instant-read thermometer or a meat thermometer to check for correct doneness. It should be 160 degrees according to Food Network.
I made this today. It turned out good. The flavor is good, it sliced nice but when I tried to pick a slice up, it fell apart. The only thing I can think of that maybe caused this is that I used very lean, farm raised beef. Any suggestions for the next time I make it?
Debbie, when I make this meatloaf it’s in no way fragile. All I can think of is that you used a leaner ground beaf. I generally use 80/20 for flavor!
very good . I’ve made it several times.
Yaay! Enjoy 🙂
Looks like a good recipe to try thanks!
Is there any variety of Stove Top stuffing that is made without high fructose corn syrup?
I used Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix, no high fructose corn syrup. It came in a bag and I just measured out the amount of ingredient needed, using my food scale.
This is a very simple meatloaf that my family loves. Would suggest it for anyone that loves meatloaf and need a quick and delightful option.
I want the meatloaf recipe and Can u send me the meatloaf recipes to my email ?
Thanks
Wendy
Hi Wendy, I just emailed the recipe to you.
I am old and I am confused. Do you leave the prepared mixture in the loaf pan and then placed the loaf pan on a cookie sheet or do you transfer the meat by itself onto the cookie sheet? I am confused..
Hi Hank.You leave the mixture in the loaf pan and bake it in the loaf pan. Hope this help! 🙂
What is dry smoke as an ingredient
Hi Liane. I think you’re referring to liquid smoke? It’s a product made from condensing the smoke from burning wood. It’s available at most supermarkets.
Whoa wait…Who found my recipe. I’ve been doing this for decades!!!
hehe. Enjoy!
This Cathleen has been making Stove Top Turkey Meat loaf for about 40 yrs or more. Yes, a family & friend favorite.
Clean plates & often requested second servings. Don’t forget those mouth watering Sandwiches! A Hit Every Time!
You’re amazing! I want those sandwiches!
Can I do it in the air fryer
Sherri, I’m sorry but I haven’t worked out the recipe for the air fryer yet. I’ll get on it!!