Ina Garten is a celebrity chef and television personality who gained fame through her appearances on the Food Network’s cooking show “ Barefoot Contessa.” She is also a bestselling cookbook author of “The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.”
Despite starting her career in academics and holding various prestigious positions, including working at the White House and OMB, Ina’s passion for food drove her to learn and experiment with different dishes. Today, she is recognized as a master of the culinary arts.
In addition to her TV show and cookbooks, Ina’s career in the food industry began with opening her food store, the Barefoot Contessa Store, in the 1980s. Moreover, her recipes are beloved by many because it is easy to follow, quick, and, most importantly, delicious.
Currently, as her popular meatloaf recipe is in high demand among the public, we have prepared a step-by-step guide on how to prepare Ina Garten’s meatloaf for you today.
Remain with us until the end.
Table of Contents
When to Have Meat Loaf? Best as Dinner/Lunch/ or Breakfast?
Meatloaf is a meal made with ground meat, typically beef, which is combined with spices, breadcrumbs, and eggs before being baked into a loaf form. It is a meal that is typically served as the main course and frequently goes with accompaniment dishes like mashed potatoes, veggies, or salad.
Although there are no strict guidelines on when to eat meatloaf, most people consider it best to have meatloaf for dinner. One of the users on Quora stated that having meatloaf for dinner is a cheap and tasty way to feed a family quickly.
Interestingly, some people also enjoy leftover meatloaf as a meat alternative to sandwiches for breakfast. Nonetheless, meatloaf is also known as an economical dish.
Health Benefits of Meatloaf
The health benefits of meatloaf solely depend on how you prepare it. If you are talking about meatloaf from restaurants, then it is not considered healthy as they are high in fat and sodium.
But if you make meatloaf at home, you may use various healthy ingredients for a nutritious cuisine. Similarly, as meat is the main ingredient for meatloaf, the dish is an excellent source of protein.
Also, if you add veggies and beans, the overall dish will provide you with the necessary fiber.
Who Should Avoid Meatloaf?
According to the source, Meatloaf is usually high in saturated fat and sodium and may contain high cholesterol levels. Individuals with health conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, etc., must avoid meatloaf.
Likewise, people who are trying to lose weight should also avoid or limit the amount of meatloaf.
What are the Ingredients Required?
- 3 medium diced yellow onions (3 cups approx)
- 1 teaspoon of chopped thyme leaves
- 2 teaspoons of kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/3 cup of chicken broth or stock
- 2-1/2 pounds of minced chuck (81% lean is recommended by Garten)
- half a cup of regular, dry breadcrumbs
- 2 large beaten eggs
- Ketchup, half a cup
Total Time Required to Cook Meatloaf
Ina Garten’s delicious meatloaf gets ready to serve in just 1 hour and 10 minutes, with 10 minutes devoted to preparation.
Step-by-Step Procedure for Ina Garten’s Meatloaf Recipe.
Follow these 6 easy steps below to cook delicious meatloaf for your family and friends.
Step 1: Pre-heat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and line a parchment paper on a sheet pan
Step 2: Next, take a medium pan and warm some olive oil on a medium to low flame. Cook it for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the onions are translucent, after adding some onions, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Step 3: Turn the flames off, remove the pan, and add tomato paste, chicken stock, and Worcestershire sauce. Keep the pan aside, allowing the mix to cool for a while.
Step 4: Take a large bowl and combine ground chuck, onion mixture, bread crumbs, and eggs with a fork. Be careful not to over-mix; the meatloaf will be tough and dry.
Step 5: Shape the ingredients into a loaf on the sheet pan with the lining. Then evenly spread ketchup over the top.
Step 6: Finally, bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Now, your mouthwatering meatloaf is all set to serve.
