Classic American Meatloaf

Classic American Meatloaf is a savory, baked ground meat dish, typically made with beef, breadcrumbs, onions, and a ketchup-based glaze. It is a staple of American comfort food, often served with mashed potatoes and green beans, and has roots in 19th-century immigrant cooking.

🍳 View the full Classic American Meatloaf recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is high in protein and fat, with moderate carbohydrates from the breadcrumbs and glaze. A single serving generally provides around 300-450 calories, along with iron, zinc, and B vitamins.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	280 kcal
Protein	18 g
Carbs	15 g
Fat	17 g
Fiber	1 g
Sugar	5 g
Sodium	650 mg
Potassium	320 mg
Iron	2.5 mg
Zinc	3.5 mg
Vitamin B12	1.8 mcg
Niacin (B3)	4.5 mg
Phosphorus	180 mg
Selenium	18 mcg
Vitamin C	4 mg

Per 1 slice (approx. 120 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Meatloaf is culturally significant as a symbol of home-style cooking and frugality, as it was originally a way to use up leftover meat. Nutritionally, it is unique for its ability to incorporate vegetables like carrots or celery into a meat-based dish, making it a hidden source of fiber and vitamins.