Meatloaf Recipe for 50 (or more) | CDKitchen.com (2024)

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Wondering how to make meatloaf for a large group? This scalable meatloaf recipe not only tastes good but is simple to prepare. There are also different flavor variations to try.

Meatloaf Recipe for 50 (or more) | CDKitchen.com (1)


serves/makes:

ready in:

1-2 hrs

5 reviews
1 comment


ingredients


Meatloaf

10 pounds ground beef
2 pounds ground pork
12 ounces soft bread crumbs
1 quart milk
12 eggs
4 ounces finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 dash cayenne pepper

Topping

8 ounces brown sugar
2 tablespoons dry mustard
1 1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon ground nutmeg

directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. You'll need one 5x9-inch loaf pan for every 10 servings (5 pans for 50 servings).

Combine the ground beef, ground pork, bread crumbs, milk, eggs, onion, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a large bowl. Mix well but do not overmix or the meatloaf may turn out crumbly.

Divide the mixture between the loaf pans.

Place the loaf pans in the oven and bake at 325 degrees F for 1 hour.

Combine the brown sugar, dry mustard, ketchup, and nutmeg. Mix well. Spread the mixture evenly over the tops of the meatloaves.

Continue to bake the meatloaves for another 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf is 180 degrees F on a meat thermometer. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

recipe tips


Shape the loaves evenly in the pans so they bake evenly.

Try mixing in minced garlic or herbs like thyme or parsley.

Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes after baking for easier slicing.

For a glaze with a kick, add a dash of hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce to the topping mixture.

If the top of the meatloaf is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil.

Try adding grated cheese or chopped bacon to the meat mixture.

To prevent the meatloaf from being too dense, do not overmix the meat.

Serve with a side of gravy or additional ketchup.

Always preheat the oven for the best baking results.

common recipe questions


Can I use all beef instead of a mix of beef and pork?

Yes, you can use all ground beef, but the flavor and texture will be slightly different.

What can I use instead of soft bread crumbs?

Panko breadcrumbs or crushed crackers can be used as alternatives.

Is there a substitute for milk in the meatloaf?

You can use a milk alternative like almond or soy milk, or even water in a pinch.

Can I make this meatloaf without eggs?

Eggs help bind the ingredients, but you can use a flax egg or more breadcrumbs as a binder.

What can I use instead of brown sugar in the topping?

Honey or maple syrup can be used, but they will change the sweetness and flavor slightly.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven or microwave.

Can this meatloaf be frozen?

Yes, it can be frozen either before or after baking. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking or reheating.


nutrition data

403 calories, 30 grams fat, 11 grams carbohydrates, 21 grams protein per serving. This recipe is low in carbs.



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reviews & comments

  1. marshane REVIEW:
    October 3, 2023

    I’ve made this several times for a food kitchen and it’s amazingly popular! I have a question though. This month I want to make it but I am going to be out of town before hand. Can I make it and freeze and reheat? Thoughts?

    • CDKitchen Staff Reply:

      You can, however, the texture may change a bit. To reheat the meatloaf, let it thaw completely in the refrigerator and then let it come to room temperature (it will reheat more evenly this way). Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Cover the meatloaf loosely with foil and place in the oven. Heat the meatloaf for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. If the meatloaf seems dry after it thaws, add 1-2 tbsp of broth or water to the pan before reheating it.

  2. Bmc2023 REVIEW:
    September 12, 2023

    Great recipe

  3. Beth C REVIEW:
    April 21, 2020

    I made this for for 40, Meals on Wheels. Omg! During this pandemic situation, people are stopping me in the stores telling me how much they liked it! Thank you!

  4. Ed REVIEW:
    January 13, 2020

    WE made this meatloaf recipe for 50 at our property owners association dinner. We got rave reviews and have already been asked when we are doing it again. Everyone loved it, thank you CD Kitchens.

  5. Guest Foodie January 5, 2018

    What is the serving size? I adjusted the recipe to feed 300 and it's using way less almost half less meat than other recipes I've looked up. Interested in 6 ounce servings.

    • CDKitchen Staff Reply:

      The directions specify how much meat per loaf pan so if you calculate it out it will be about 5 ounces per serving. So, if you want 6 ounce servings you'll have to scale up the recipe a bit more. If you scale it to 360 servings that should give you enough for 300 6 ounce servings.

  6. Guest Foodie REVIEW:
    November 8, 2013

    Made these for a school trip and they turned out very well. Just did the basic recipe not any of the variations so I can't say how those are but I do plan on trying this recipe as meatballs next since it had good flavor.

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Meatloaf Recipe for 50 (or more) | CDKitchen.com (2024)

FAQs

How much meatloaf per person? ›

Keep in mind that the weight will shrink as the meatloaf leaches liquid and the fat renders out, so I'd plan at least 3/4 lb. per person, which would probably translate to 1/2 lb. serving per person after it's cooked (depending on the fat ratio of the meat). Better to have too much than too little.

What ingredient keeps meatloaf from falling apart? ›

When this happens, it's because you didn't use enough. Next time, try adding in an extra egg and/or some more breadcrumbs. Alternatively, rice, barley, corn flakes, crackers, and dried soup mix can also stand in as binding ingredients as well. Including larger quantities of these items should help solve the problem.

What is the best temperature to cook meatloaf and for how long? ›

As a rule of thumb, set your oven to 350°F when cooking meatloaf, regardless of the ground meat used in the recipe. At this temperature, a meatloaf prepared with two pounds of ground meat (the amount called for in most recipes) takes about one hour to cook.

How many pounds of ground beef do I need for 50 people? ›

I would suggest a quarter-pound ground beef/pork per person. That works out to about 12–1/2 - 13 pounds.

How many pounds of ground beef do I need for 30 people? ›

How much meat per person? If meat is the central part of your dish, you will most likely want 1/2 of a pound per person.

Why do you put milk in meatloaf? ›

Milk and other dairy products, like heavy cream and buttermilk, contain both water and fat, adding two types of moisture to our meatloaf. There's a long-held theory that milk can tenderize ground meat, and this is the reason often cited for cooking ground meat in milk to make a Bolognese-style ragù.

What happens if you put too many eggs in meatloaf? ›

Fewer eggs will create a denser and firmer meatloaf that will be more compact and easier to slice, but more eggs can create a more tender and light texture that allows the meatloaf to melt in your mouth.

What is the basic meatloaf formula? ›

In essence, it boils down to a few simple steps: Combine ground meat, eggs, breadcrumbs, and other flavorful ingredients of your choice. Put this mixture in a lightly greased loaf pan and bake it until it's cooked through.

Is meatloaf better on a sheet pan or loaf pan? ›

Not only does sheet pan meatloaf bake up faster than its traditional loaf-shaped cousin, it also has more surface area, meaning every bite is laden with that deliciously caramelized topping.

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.

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. 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.

Why is my meatloaf so greasy? ›

Meatloaf is notorious for being greasy when cooked in a loaf pan; it basically just sits in its own fat and cooks! Here's a simple trick to reduce the grease in your homemade meatloaf. 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.

How many people does 1lb of ground meat feed? ›

One pound of ground beef can typically make 4 to 6 servings, depending on how much you use per serving. Here are some popular ground beef dishes and how many servings they typically yield: Skillet meals: These one-pan meals are great for busy weeknights. They typically use 1 pound of ground beef and serve 4-5 people.

How many pounds of ground meat per person? ›

When Meat Is a Component of a Dish. If the meat is part of a bigger dish, like pasta or curry, plan for 1/4 to 1/3 pound (four to six ounces) per person. That means you'll want at least 2 1/2 pounds of meat if you're planning to have 10 people over to dinner, and 5 or more pounds of meat if you're cooking for 20 guests ...

How many pounds of meat should I get per person? ›

Use calculator to help determine how much meat to buy.

Boneless Meat: 1/2 lb. per person for adults and 1/4 lb. per person for children. Bone-In Meat: 1 lb.

How many ounces of ground meat per person? ›

3 ounces of beef or other meat is a standard serving size for most recipes. As per the USDA, a 3-ounce portion of lean ground beef contains about 180 calories, 10 grams of iron, and 10 grams of fat, which is about 15 percent of the human body's daily requirement.

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