Milly'S Meat Loaf

Prep: 15 min Cook: 75 min Serves: 6 Cuisine: American

Milly's Meat Loaf offers a flavorful blend of beef, pork, dill pickles, and a tangy sauce, making it perfect for family dinners and comfort food lovers.

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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lb. ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup dill pickle juice
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
  • 1/2 cup catsup
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 Tbsp. sugar
  • 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

  1. Mix together the ground beef or beef and pork, chopped onion, bread crumbs, dill pickle juice, egg, salt, and pepper. Shape into a loaf in a pan.
  2. Combine the remaining ingredients: chopped dill pickles, catsup, water, sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over the meat loaf.
  3. Bake at 350°F for 75 minutes, basting often.
  4. Serve with the sauce.

Tips & Substitutions

For added flavor, consider mixing in some grated cheese or chopped herbs like parsley or thyme. If you don’t have dill pickle juice, you can substitute with apple cider vinegar. Ensure the meat loaf is well-shaped for even cooking. Using a meat thermometer can help achieve the perfect doneness; it should read 160°F in the center. For a twist, try adding a bit of barbecue sauce to the topping.

Serving Suggestions

Milly's Meat Loaf pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes or a fresh garden salad for a complete meal. Consider serving it with a side of green beans or corn on the cob for a hearty touch. For a fun twist, serve slices on a bun to create meat loaf sandwiches, a great option for leftovers. Browse more American recipes for additional inspiration.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place slices in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through, adding a splash of water to keep it moist. You can also reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, covered with foil to retain moisture.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Milly'S Meat Loaf contains roughly 606 calories, with 14g protein, 110g carbohydrates, and 13g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (27% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (27% of the Daily Value), and calcium (24% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 833mg per serving (36% of the Daily Value).

606 kcal 30% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 13.7g 27% DV
Total Fat 13.2g 17% DV
Carbs 110.4g 40% DV
Fiber 2.3g 8% DV
Sugar 2.2g 4% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 833.5mg 36% DV
Potassium 852.6mg 18% DV
Cholesterol 306.8mg 100% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 77.2mcg 9% DV
Vitamin C 24.3mg 27% DV
Vitamin D 0mcg
Calcium 306.9mg 24% DV
Iron 3.7mg 20% DV
Diet fit Low-fat
Contains Egg Wheat/Gluten

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, you can substitute ground turkey for ground beef in this recipe. Keep in mind that turkey is leaner, so you may want to add a bit more moisture, like extra pickle juice or a splash of broth, to keep the meat loaf tender.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

To make Milly's Meat Loaf gluten-free, simply replace the soft bread crumbs with gluten-free bread crumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers. Ensure that all other ingredients, such as catsup and Worcestershire sauce, are also gluten-free to maintain the integrity of the dish.

What should I do if my meat loaf falls apart?

If your meat loaf is falling apart, it may be due to insufficient binding agents. Make sure you’re using enough egg and bread crumbs. If needed, you can add another egg or a bit of milk to help bind the mixture together before shaping it into a loaf.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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