What Is The Best Pan To Cook Meatloaf In?

When choosing a baking pan, avoid a small loaf pan or baking dish. A tight fit means that the loaf will steam — think school cafeteria meatloaf. Instead, use a sheet pan or a large baking dish and leave some breathing room so the edges will caramelize nicely.

Is it best to cook meatloaf in metal or glass?

It takes longer to heat than metal, which is a conductor. Because of this, loaves baked in glass pans may have different baking times than what a recipe calls for. An old rule (introduced by Pyrex itself) says to reduce the temperature 25 degrees lower than the recipe calls for if you’re baking in glassware.

What do you put in the bottom of a meatloaf pan?

When making meat loaf, line the bottom of your pan with slices of bread. Place the meat mixture in the pan and bake as usual. The bread will absorb most of the fat from the meat as it cooks.

Should you cover meatloaf with aluminum foil when baking?

Do you cover meatloaf when baking? If you have a single large meatloaf then you should cover it with a piece of aluminum foil during cooking to keep it moist, but do not let it be covered for the whole cooking process. Take off the meatloaf cover and leave it uncovered for the last 15 minutes of baking.

What is the best size meatloaf pan?

9- by 5-inch
Most meatloaf pans come in a 9- by 5-inch size, with slight variations. Check the pan’s capacity to make sure your meatloaf will fit in it and bake evenly. The pans also traditionally come in a rectangular shape, though some variations on this exist, including novelty shapes.

Do you put water in the bottom of the pan for meatloaf?

They recommend that to get a moist meatloaf every time, you should place a large pan filled with water on the bottom rack of an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do you spray the pan when making meatloaf?

Bake meatloaf on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray to collect moisture and excess fat. This also allows the sides to brown as well as the top.

What is the secret to moist meatloaf?

Slow and Low Is the Way to Go Some recipes have you cook your meatloaf at temperatures as high as 425 F. Noted food authority Alton Brown says that the ideal oven temperature for a moist meatloaf is 325 F. If the oven is too hot it will reduce the cooking time, but it tends to dry out the meat.

Should I grease loaf pan for meatloaf?

Lightly grease a standard size loaf pan with cooking spray. Add all of the meatloaf ingredients to a large bowl and gently mix everything to combine (without over-working the meat). Add the meat mixture to a loaf pan and gently pat into an even layer. Bake for about 30 minutes.

Is it better to cook meatloaf at 350 or 375?

The oven temperature is typically set at 350 degrees F for making meatloaf. That’s the temperature you want to be sure to use so the meatloaf cooks and doesn’t dry out.

Is it better to use milk or water in meatloaf?

Milk is the preferred liquid for meatloaf, but there are some great substitutes if you do not want to use it. The reason milk is added in meatloaf is that it soaks the bread crumbs which add needed moisture to the meatloaf.

Why do people put milk in their meatloaf?

Why Put Milk In It. Milk soaks into the breadcrumbs and helps keep the meatloaf moist. I typically use whole milk in recipes, but any type of milk including non-dairy milk alternatives could be used.

What temperature do most people cook meatloaf on?

350 degrees F
The oven temperature is typically set at 350 degrees F for making meatloaf. That’s the temperature you want to be sure to use so the meatloaf cooks and doesn’t dry out. Too high, and the outer crust will burn before the interior is cooked all the way, too low and you don’t get that delicious crust.

Should I drain the grease from my meatloaf?

To prevent a soggy bottom, Bangor Daily News suggests draining the grease from the loaf pan 15 minutes before your cooking time is up; this helps guarantee all sides bake to perfection.