The Easiest Meatloaf Recipe with Only 3 Ingredients
This flavorful meatloaf is one the entire family will enjoy, even the little ones. It’s savory, filled with protein and easy for babies to grab and eat.
This southwestern inspired recipe is a twist on classic meatloaf. Instead of using traditional barbecue sauce or ketchup, I added salsa. The end result was a moist meatloaf with lots of flavor. The best part? It comes together in 5 minutes, tops.
This meatloaf has quickly become a family favorite and each time I add something different to change it up. If you want extra flavor, there’s optional add-ins, but this recipe is still amazing with only the 3 main ingredients.
Add your favorite sides for a complete meal and enjoy your non-traditional meat loaf!
❤️ Why You’ll Love 3 Ingredient Meatloaf:
- Takes 5 minutes to put together.
- Family-friendly meal from littles to adults.
- Easy clean up.
- Comfort food made with cost-effective and simple ingredients.
- No bbq sauce and no ketchup glaze.
- Egg-free recipe and can be made gluten free and dairy free.
- Add your favorite salsa to play with different flavors.
🍲 Ingredients
Ground Beef: or mix of ground beef and ground pork.
Breadcrumbs
Salsa
Optional: onion, red bell pepper, green pepper, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic, salt and pepper.
👩🍳 How to Make 3 Ingredient Meatloaf
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, and salsa. Mix the ingredients together until well combined.
- For toddlers, shape into a miniature meatloaf (about the size of a golf ball) and press down on sides. For adults, form the meatloaf mixture into a loaf shape and place it in a greased or aluminum foil lined loaf pan. You can shape the meat mixture on a baking sheet if you prefer a free-form meatloaf.
- Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). (For toddlers miniature size, check after 30 minutes)
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
🪄 Tips and Tricks
- Use a combo of ground pork and ground beef for extra flavor.
- There are no eggs in this recipe so using a loaf pan will ensure your meatloaf holds shape.
🗒 Substitutions
- Use ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork.
🗒 Best served with
- Customize this recipe by adding other Mexican-inspired ingredients like jalapeños (for adults), diced tomatoes, cilantro, and sour cream.
- Enjoy your Mexican meatloaf with some tortilla chips, rice, beans, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
👝 How to Store Leftovers
This recipe is so good the next day! Store leftover meatloaf in an airtight container in the fridge for up the three days or freezer for up to three months.
🤔 Common Questions
There are no eggs in this recipe so I suggest using a loaf pan to keep your meatloaf intact. If you prefer free form, consider adding an egg to bind everything together.
It can be made gluten free with gluten free breadcrumbs.
3 Ingredient Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef or mix of ground beef and ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup salsa
Optional
- 1/2 cup onion finely diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper diced
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, and salsa. Mix the ingredients together until well combined.
- For toddlers, shape into a miniature meatloaf (about the size of a golf ball) and press down on sides. For adults, form the meatloaf mixture into a loaf shape and place it in a greased or lined loaf pan. You can shape it on a baking sheet if you prefer a free-form meatloaf.
- Bake the meatloaf in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). (For toddlers miniature size, check after 30 minutes)
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
