SIMPLE STOVE TOP STUFFING MEATLOAF

Simple stove top stuffing meatloaf is made with ground beef, ketchup, jarred gravy and boxed stuffing thats combined and baked to perfection.

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

This simple Stovetop stuffing meatloaf recipe takes a classic comfort food to a whole new level. It's juicy, flavorful, and packed with all those delicious stuffing flavors baked right into every bite. The stuffing mix gives the meatloaf such a unique flavor and the perfect tender texture. So you don't have to chop a thing or measure a million different spices. It's cozy, nostalgic, and ridiculously easy to throw together. It's the perfect easy weekday dinner. One bite and you'll be hooked.

This recipe is the perfect blend of cozy comfort and foolproof ease. I've been making this for my family for years and its always a huge hit. Especially with the kids. Its packed with savory flavor and is tender and juicy every time. Skip the boring breadcrumbs and spice things up a little with a flavorful stuffing mix. Every bite will be loaded with buttery, herby notes baked right in with no extra chopping required. It's truly a must try!

Ingredients

Here you'll find the list of ingredients and some of my personal notes for this simple stovetop stuffing meatloaf recipe. Visit the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients with measurements.

• Stove Top Stuffing- Any flavor of Stove Top Stuffing would be great to use for this recipe. I prefer the Savory Herbs option because the sage, thyme and rosemary all really shines through.
• Ground Beef- 80/20 is the best ground beef option because its got the perfect amount of fat to keep the meatloaf moist.
• Eggs- Just two will help bind the meatloaf together so it doesn't fall apart.
• Vegetable broth- A little salty and savory, this adds flavor and softens the stuffing.
• Ketchup- Adds a bit of sweet and tangy flavor but also helps keep the meatloaf moist.
• Brown Gravy- I like to used jarred gravy purely out of convenience. Its salty, savory and adds hints of garlic and onion, too.
• Salt, Black Pepper and Onion Powder- The salt enhances the other ingredients and draws out moisture to help blend flavors. Pepper balances out the sweetness from the ketchup and stuffing. The onion powder makes the meatloaf taste full bodied and well rounded.
• Parsley- Dried or fresh, this optional garnish adds a much needed pop of color to the finished dish.

How To Make It

Here is where you'll find the step by step instructions on how to make this delicious simple stovetop stuffing meatloaf. For full measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card below.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

First, add the box of Stovetop Stuffing it to a medium sized bowl and pour over the vegetable broth. Stir it together and let it sit for a few minutes. You want to make sure the stuffing is wet and soft before proceeding with the rest of the ingredients so it can be easily incorporated into the other ingredients.

Now, add the ground beef, eggs, some of the gravy, ketchup and eggs. Season it with salt, pepper and onion powder and mix everything together until its evenly combined.

PRO TIP: Don't over mix the meat. You want to stop once everything is just combined. Over mixing will make the meatloaf will make it dense, tough and dry.

Now, transfer the beef mixture to a parchment paper lined baking sheet and shape it into a meatloaf.

PRO TIP: I like to use food safe handling gloves when doing this to protect my hands. I also find that it makes it a little easier as the meat doesn't stick as much to them.

Place it into the center rack of the oven for about 45 minutes or until the meatloaf is cooked all the way through. Placing it onto the center rack ensures that the heat of the oven will wrap evenly around the food when cooking.

Next, let the meatloaf rest for 5 minutes. This is a little step with big benefits! Resting the meatloaf lets the juices redistribute throughout. If sliced too soon, the juices will run right out and the meatloaf will be drier.

Finally, warm up the rest of the gravy and pour it on top of the meatloaf. Garnish with parsley (optional), slice and serve warm.

What To Serve This With

Meatloaf goes wonderfully with lots of different side dishes. We usually like to serve it with a vegetable like Roasted Garlic Parmesan Broccoli or Honey Roasted Carrots. French Onion Rice is usually our carb of choice for this one but choose your favorite.

Can I Use Instant Stuffing Instead Of Stove Top?

Yes, you absolutely can use instant stuffing instead of stovetop and get the same flavorful results. Most instant stuffing mixes include breadrumbs plus dried herbs and flavorings. They work really well here.

Do I Need To Crush The Stuffing First?

No, you don't need to necessarily crush the stuffing because most of them come in small pieces anyway and they soften in the broth. If you happen to see some larger cubes, crushing them cant hurt. It will actually yield a more evenly textured meatloaf.

Storage

Let the meatloaf cool down completely then place it into an air tight container. It will last in the refrigerator for up to three days. It also freezes really well, too. Place it into an air tight container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before warming and serving.

Featured Products

Shop all of the products featured in this recipe tutorial on my Amazon Store. Here are just a few that I love:

• Storage Containers- These are my favorite! They’re BPA Free and come with air tight lids. They're freezer safe, too.
• Latex Free Gloves- My signature pink, medium sized latex free gloves. Perfect for food prep.
• Mixing Bowls- 5 piece stainless steel mixing bowl set. These are great for prepping recipes like this one.

Other Easy Meatloaf Recipes

If you like super easy to make meatloaf recipes like this one, you have to try this Stuffed Cowboy Meatloaf, Crockpot French Onion Meatloaf and Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf.