The Mighty Meatloaf – Filling and Versatile
I call this Everyday Low FODMAP Meatloaf because you will have time to make it, even on the busiest of days. While you could use all beef, a combo of beef, veal and pork makes for a particularly succulent meatloaf.
It is often already packaged all together; look for something called “meatloaf blend” or something similar or ask your butcher. Since this might not always be easily found, my “everyday” approach is to combine ground beef and pork, which are always in the supermarket case.
Just know that you have choices within your low FODMAP diet with these various proteins! The tangy topping bakes onto the meat and there will be extra to serve alongside; it’s like a souped up ketchup with personality.
Make Enough For Leftovers!
And you know that meatloaf is even better as a leftover!
So be sure to make enough so you have quick go to lunch options- re-heated with a side salad or as a sandwich layered with tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and a good slather of chipotle mayonnaise on toasted sliced gluten-free bread.
Calling All Meatloaf Lovers
Check out our stuffed meatloaf and also one that we have one based on round turkey that is packed with moist mushrooms.
Everyday Meatloaf
Meatloaf is a classic homestyle dinner and you can enjoy our version on your low FODMAP diet, even during the Elimination phase.
Ingredients:
Sauce:
- 2/3 cup (165 ml) ketchup
- 1/3 cup (71 g) firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Meatloaf:
- 2 1/2 pieces (93 g) low FODMAP gluten-free white bread
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) lactose free whole milk, 2%, 1% or fat free
- 1 1/2 pounds (680 g) ground beef, preferably 80%
- 1/2 pound (225 g) ground pork
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature, whisked well
- 1/2 medium carrot, scrubbed and grated
- 1/2 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup (8 g) finely chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
- 1/4 cup (16 g) finely chopped scallions, green parts only
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons Low FODMAP Garlic-Infused Oil, made with olive oil or purchased equivalent, such as FODY Garlic-Infused Oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 4 slices meaty bacon, choose gluten-free if on a gluten-free diet
Preparation:
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For the Sauce: Whisk all of the sauce ingredients together; set aside.
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For the Meatloaf: Position rack in center of oven. Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C. Have a roasting pan ready.
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Grind the bread slices in a food processor fitted with a metal blade until finely ground. Measure out ¾ cup (84 g) of soft breadcrumbs and combine the measured breadcrumbs with milk in a large mixing bowl; allow the breadcrumbs to absorb the milk for 5 minutes. (Any extra breadcrumbs can be frozen in a zip top bag and saved for another use). Add the beef, pork, eggs, carrot, red bell pepper, parsley, scallions, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, salt, thyme and a generous amount of black pepper to the same bowl and use your hands to mix well. Scrape meatloaf mixture into center of roasting pan and use your hands to form an oval loaf shape about 9-inches long, 6-inches wide and 2-inches thick (23 cm by 15 cm by 5 cm). Spread about half of the sauce on top of the loaf, coating the top and sides. Reserve any remaining sauce to serve alongside cooked meatloaf. Use your fingers to lay bacon over the meatloaf on a slight diagonal, tucking the ends underneath the loaf. The sauce will help the pieces stick and stay in place.
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Cook for about 55 minutes to 1 hour or until meat is cooked through and the bacon is crisp. An instant read thermometer inserted in the center of the loaf should read 160°F/72°C. You can crisp up the bacon further, if you like, by placing meatloaf under the broiler for 30 seconds to 1 minute, taking care not to burn. Meatloaf is ready to cut into slices and serve with the reserved sauce alongside. We like it hot, room temperature or the next day in a sandwich. Any leftovers can be wrapped well with plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Dédé's Quick Recipe Tips Video
Notes:
Tips
- You can also use gluten-free oats, either old-fashioned (75 g) or quick cooking (68 g) oats, in lieu of the bread. Just use a ¾ cup amount and soak in the milk as directed.
If You Can Tolerate
Fructans:
- If you have passed the garlic fructan Challenge you can add 1 minced garlic clove to the meatloaf mixture.
- If you have passed the onion fructan Challenge you can add ⅓ cup (48 g) chopped yellow or white onion to the meatloaf mixture instead of the scallion greens.
- If you have passed the wheat fructan Challenge, feel free to use conventional bread for the breadcrumbs, checking of course for other potential FODMAPs such as inulin.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more. For a more detailed explanation, please read our article Understanding The Nutrition Panel Within Our Recipes.
Im confused about the ketchup.i thought its high fodmap.full of corn syrup and other high fodmap ingredients.i do realize fody sells one but your recipe just calls for ketchup.This diet is so confusing
Hi Mickie, we understand the confusion. You might want to read about Corn Syrup vs. High Fructose Corn Syrup as they are not the same thing. Also, it is very helpful to remember that this diet is very much about portion control. The recipe, as written, is low FODMAP. Monash has tested regular supermarket ketchup, and in small portions it is okay for you to eat. Follow the recipe as described and let us know how you like it!
If you’re worried about ketchup, as I am, order FODY’s ketchup- it’s great! I like this recipe but will use ground turkey in place of beef. I don’t really tolerate beef.
Let us know how your turkey version goes! It should work very well.
This recipe was wonderful. It was tasty and my whole family enjoyed it. I used a zucchini instead of the red bell pepper(capsicum).
Sounds delicious! The zucchini would add a similar moisture content to the red bell pepper – and add color! This substitution sounds just fine but always be aware that when you make substitutions within our recipes that the FODMAP content of the finished dish can change and serving sizes should always be re-assessed.
I absolutely love this recipe. Had a friend over for dinner and she flipped over the meatloaf. You must try this. 5 stars isn’t enough !!!
Everyone loved it. It was so nice to make a safe meal my whole family could enjoy. This is a winner!
What great news to hear. Hope you had some leftovers! I LOVE a meatloaf sandwich!
Would turkey bacon work?
You could try. I am sure it will work. It will taste a bit different but maybe even more to your liking!
This meatloaf is moist and flavorful but crumbly. Although it reached 160 degrees internally, the bacon wrapping was not as crisp as my family likes their bacon. I think next time I’ll leave off the bacon.
Try running it under the broiler next time for bacon crispness.
I cannot fathom why this recipe only have 4.1 stars! I have made it a number of times for and freeze the leftovers for quick weekday night meals. (I live alone.) This meatloaf recipe consistently delivers a moist, flavorful result and I do not believe it’s because I am an incredible cook. But… My parents are moving and I was trying to get rid of as much food as possible for them in the week between Christmas and New Years. I made this for my mom and dad, my daughter, and my niece and nephew. My darling niece and nephew have a ton of food intolerances/allergies and are accustomed to a very bland diet. In fact, their go-to phrase when I cook is “Thank you but I don’t prefer that.” Well, my nephew has since handed me the crown of A Good Cooker” and I am beyond thrilled! The only modification I made was with the ketchup. The kiddos have a corn allergy so I used one of their approved ketchups. People, make this meatloaf recipe exactly as written and you will NOT be disappointed!
This made my week! It is so true though. It is an old-fashioned, easy recipe and truly pleases young and old. And is a great example of how low FODMAP cooking can taste GREAT!!!