Homestyle Cheeseburger Meatloaf Recipe: Comfort Food Magic

Sizzling comfort meets gourmet delight in this cheeseburger meatloaf recipe that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

Juicy ground beef combines with classic burger flavors for an unexpected twist on a traditional favorite.

Melted cheese creates pockets of pure deliciousness throughout each hearty slice.

The robust seasonings capture everything you love about a classic cheeseburger in a convenient meatloaf form.

Sharp cheddar and savory spices mingle to create a dish that’s both familiar and exciting.

Every bite delivers a mouthwatering explosion of flavor that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Get ready to savor a meal that turns an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Serving Cheeseburger Meatloaf with All the Fixings

• Slice and Serve: Cut the meatloaf into thick, juicy slices that showcase the melted cheese center and glazed exterior.
• Pair with Sides: Complement the rich flavors with creamy mashed potatoes, crisp green salad, or roasted seasonal vegetables for a complete meal.
• Burger-Style Plating: Dress up individual slices with classic burger toppings like lettuce, tomato, pickles, and a dollop of ketchup or mustard for a playful presentation.
• Leftover Magic: Transform cold meatloaf slices into delicious sandwiches on toasted bread with extra cheese and your favorite condiments for an easy next-day lunch.

Keeping Meatloaf Moist and Satisfying Later

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover meatloaf in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual slices or whole meatloaf tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, maintaining flavor and texture.
• Reheat with Care: Warm slices in the microwave at 50% power to prevent drying, or reheat in a 350°F oven covered with foil for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Pack Perfect Lunches: Slice cold meatloaf for delicious sandwich fillings or crumble into salads for a protein-packed meal prep option.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time: 21 minutes

Calories: 365 kcal

Servings: 7

Cheeseburger Meatloaf Ingredient

• Ground Beef: Lean cuts ensure a juicy, flavorful foundation with less grease.
• Breadcrumbs: Creates tender texture and helps bind ingredients smoothly.
• Milk: Softens breadcrumbs and adds subtle moisture to the meat mixture.

• Onion, Garlic: Provides deep, aromatic undertones that elevate the overall taste.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds rich, tangy complexity to the meat's profile.
• Mustard, Cumin, Parsley: Brings vibrant, layered seasonings with subtle warmth.

• Eggs: Acts as natural glue, holding the meatloaf together with protein structure.
• Tomato Paste: Contributes deep, concentrated tomato essence and helps bind ingredients.
• Cheddar Cheese: Introduces creamy, sharp notes and melty pockets of deliciousness.

• Glaze Ingredients: Creates a glossy, caramelized exterior that seals in moisture and adds extra flavor dimensions.

Must-Have Tools for Cheeseburger-Inspired Meatloaf

• Large bowl: Essential for mixing meat and ingredients thoroughly.
• Baking sheet: Needed to shape and cook the meatloaf, preferably lined with parchment paper.
• Small bowl: Used for preparing the glaze mixture.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Cheese grater: Helpful for shredding cheddar cheese.
• Sharp knife: Required for slicing and preparing ingredients.
• Mixing spatula or wooden spoon: Perfect for gently combining meat mixture without overworking.

Cooking Instructions for a Juicy, Cheesy Meatloaf

• Oven Preparation Cozy up your kitchen by warming the oven to a toasty 400°F, creating the perfect environment for meatloaf magic.
• Mixing Wonderland Combine ground beef with soft breadcrumbs soaked in milk, adding a colorful parade of cheese, herbs, and seasonings that dance together in a mixing bowl.
• Cheese Surprise Spread the meat mixture into a flat canvas, then sprinkle cheese cubes through the center like hidden treasure. Carefully roll the meat into a beautiful log, sealing the delicious secrets inside.
• Glaze Adventure Craft a tangy glaze that will blanket the meatloaf with irresistible flavor. Brush half over the loaf before baking, saving some for a mid-bake flavor boost.
• Baking Journey Place your creation in the heated oven. Bake for about an hour, adding the remaining glaze halfway through to create a glistening, mouth-watering exterior.
• Resting Moment Allow the meatloaf to rest and settle for 10 minutes, letting the flavors mingle and the juices redistribute before slicing into this comfort food masterpiece.

Tips for Flavor and Texture Balance

• Pro Tips and Tasty Twists
• Experiment with ground turkey, pork, or a mix of beef and sausage for different flavor profiles and texture variations.
• Replace cheddar with pepper jack, Swiss, or blue cheese to create unique taste experiences that match your mood or meal plan.
• Spike the glaze with sriracha, barbecue sauce, or honey for a personalized sweet-spicy kick that elevates the classic recipe.
• Fold in crispy bacon bits, diced jalapeños, or caramelized onions to introduce unexpected texture and depth to your meatloaf.

Hearty Cheeseburger Meatloaf Recipe

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4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 21 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty cheeseburger meatloaf combines classic comfort with bold burger flavors. Savory ground beef, melted cheese, and zesty seasonings create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 kg (2.2 lbs) ground beef (lean or regular)
• 250 gm (8.8 oz) cubed cheddar cheese
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup milk
• ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 ½ cups bread crumbs
• 1 finely diced onion
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• 2 tbsps Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp classic yellow mustard
• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• ½ cup ketchup
• ¼ cup tomato paste or passata
• 2 tbsps honey
• 4 tbsps white vinegar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp cracked black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease.
2. Mixture Creation: In a large mixing bowl, soak breadcrumbs in milk, then incorporate ground beef, onion, garlic, cheddar cheese, tomato paste, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, cumin, parsley, pepper, and salt, mixing until just combined.
3. Cheese Filling: Spread meat mixture into a rectangular shape, position cheese cubes along the center, then carefully roll from the shorter end to encase the cheese completely.
4. Glazing: Whisk glaze ingredients and generously brush half the mixture over the meatloaf’s surface.
5. Baking: Roast in preheated oven for 60 minutes, then remove, apply remaining glaze, and return to oven for an additional 15 minutes.
6. Resting: Let meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to preserve moisture and structural integrity.

Notes

• Milk-Soaked Breadcrumbs: Pre-soaking breadcrumbs in milk ensures a moist, tender meatloaf texture by preventing dryness and helping bind ingredients together.
• Gentle Mixing Technique: Mix ingredients minimally to avoid overworking the meat, which can result in a tough, dense final product.
• Cheese Placement Strategy: Positioning cheese cubes in the center creates delightful molten cheese pockets that surprise and enhance flavor when sliced.
• Resting Time Matters: Allowing the meatloaf to rest after cooking helps redistribute juices, maintaining optimal moisture and making slicing easier.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 365
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg