20 Unique Meatloaf Recipes for a Cozy Weeknight Dinner

So many people grew up eating homemade meatloaf that it's become a favorite comfort food. Everyone has their go-to recipe, maybe passed down from their dad or grandma, that brings back memories of home. But sometimes change is good, and there are so many types of meatloaf and non-traditional recipes to explore. When you're in the mood for a comforting but exciting meal, try one of these creative and different meatloaf recipes — and don't forget the mashed potatoes.

This story was updated in September 2023.

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Enchiladas can be complicated to assemble, but this meatloaf version is easy. Crushed tortilla chips act as filler to give it a hint of corn tortilla flavor, and canned enchilada sauce adds moisture. A packet of taco seasoning and canned green chiles are simple, flavor-packed additions.

Recipe: Southern Bite

If you love Philly cheesesteaks but are avoiding carbs, this tasty meatloaf is for you. Onions, green bell peppers, and mushrooms are mixed into the ground beef so you get cheesesteak toppings in every bite. A layer of provolone cheese in the middle stays nice and gooey, while cheese on top gets nice and browned. 

Recipe: Dinner Then Dessert 

This simple recipe combines taco flavor with a simple meatloaf recipe. A homemade seasoning mix with chili powder, cumin, garlic, and paprika gives the dish a robust, Tex-Mex flavor. Jarred salsa is a super easy glaze for the top. Serve it with your favorite taco toppings like sour cream, avocado, and lime for a fun change of pace.

Recipe: The Real Simple Good Life

Lasagna is a family favorite, but it's a lot of work. You can get the same lasagna flavor in a faster, easier meatloaf. The beef is seasoned like a meatball and then stuffed with lots of ricotta, Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Serve it with pasta and marinara sauce for a full lasagna experience. 

Recipe: Cupcakes and Kale Chips

This Tex-Mex recipe is full of chipotle chiles, giving it smoky, rich depth and a spicy bite. Cilantro, chili powder, and cumin add familiar flavors. Adobo sauce from the canned chipotles gives the meatloaf a kick inside and out. 

Recipe: The Chunky Chef

Related: 21 Delicious and Inexpensive Mexican Dishes

Turkey is a common substitute for beef in meatloaf recipes, but what about chicken? This simple recipe that's reminiscent of chicken parmigiana will show you why you should use more ground chicken in your cooking. A generous amount of parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic flavor the loaf, which is glazed with tomato sauce. A layer of mozzarella on top would be amazing.

Recipe: Savory Experiments

Onion lovers need to try this tender and juicy meatloaf recipe, which is packed with the vegetable in many forms. A packet of onion soup mix is a classic shortcut, but there's also caramelized onions in the meat mixture to bump up the onion flavor. But the best part is the creamy onion gravy that goes over the top, made with Worcestershire sauce and even more caramelized onions

Recipe: Savory Experiments

Pizza is everyone's favorite meal, so why not combine it with meatloaf? Garlic, Italian ground pork sausage, and oregano flavor the meatloaf mix, with a glaze of pizza sauce on top. When you cut into it, you'll reveal a spiral of ham, mushrooms, and cheese that make this loaf feel really special. 

Recipe: Taste of Home 

Meatloaf sandwiches with leftover slices straight from the fridge are sometimes better than the first go-around, so why not just make classic meatloaf sandwiches the first time? This recipe includes apple butter in the meat mix for a sweet, rich backbone. It's also used in a sweet and tangy barbecue-like sauce that gets spread on the sandwiches, bringing all the flavors together. 

Recipe: Sugar Dish Me

Related: 25 Amazing Sandwiches From Around the World

Asian-inspired meatloaves aren't common, but they can be really satisfying and surprising compared to traditional meatloaf. This Korean version includes gochujang in the meat mixture, a savory, fermented, red-chile paste. The brown glaze is sticky, sweet, and savory, made with soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and rice vinegar. 

Recipe: The Stay at Home Chef

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Two of America's favorite ground beef dishes — burgers and meatloaf — come together in this one delicious recipe. Ketchup and chopped pickles are added to the meat mixture, and a layer of cheddar cheese stays gooey in the middle of the loaf. Wrapping the beef in bacon slices is always a crowd pleaser.

Recipe: Pillsbury

Related: 22 Mouthwatering Bacon Dishes Across America

The simple meat mixture in this delicious meatloaf is made with a package of meatloaf seasoning, breadcrumbs, and tomato sauce for a little twist. But the real good stuff happens in the stuffing, which includes lots of sliced ham, Swiss cheese, and mushrooms. If you prefer to use fresh mushrooms, sauté them to remove the moisture before using them in the loaf.

Recipe: Taste of Home

There's no reason you can't pack a bunch of healthy vegetables in your meatloaf for extra nutrition. This pork-and-beef-blend loaf is stuffed with a layer of spinach, red onions, and cheese, plus fresh tomatoes (and more cheese) on top. You can also add any veggies you have lying around, like zucchini, mushrooms, or even eggplant.

Recipe: It's Yummi

A robust and smoky meatloaf is easy to make using bottled barbecue sauce. Some is mixed into the meat in this recipe — along with Worcestershire, garlic, and Parmesan — and some is brushed on top as a glaze. Even people who don't usually like meatloaf find it hard to resist a barbecue version.

Recipe: Sweet Baby Ray's

Greek meatloaf, also known as rolo kima, has hard boiled eggs in the middle of it which are revealed when you slice it for a surprise presentation. The beef-and-pork mixture is seasoned with a unique blend of onions, garlic, grated fresh tomato, and allspice. Potatoes are cooked in the same pan as the meatloaf, making this an all-in-one meal. 

Recipe: My Greek Dish 

Related: Where to Find Great Greek Food in Every State

Turkey is a great alternative to beef if you're watching your fat intake, but it can dry out more easily. The trick to keeping it moist in this recipe is using plenty of finely-chopped mushrooms in the mix, which lend a lot of their own liquid. A spiral of fresh spinach and cheese makes a lovely presentation. 

Recipe: Skinny Taste

Though it's called French Market meatloaf, this recipe might be more accurately described as Cajun meatloaf. Diced Cajun sausages, onions, bell pepper, thyme, and oregano, all classic Cajun ingredients, flavor the ground beef. A simple tomato-and-beef broth gravy is served on top, but a ketchup-based glaze with some paprika and cayenne would be a simpler alternative. 

Recipe: My Recipes

Buffalo sauce is an easy, spicy way to add a bunch of flavor to anything. Add some to your ground beef along with chopped onions and oregano for a simple meatloaf mix. More wing sauce and some crumbled blue cheese on top punch up the Buffalo flavors. Kids would love this one with celery sticks and a drizzle of ranch.

Recipe: Taste of Home

This may be the most decadent, over-the-top meatloaf you've ever made. Premade macaroni and cheese is stuffed into a traditionally-seasoned meatloaf, so that when you cut it, the mac and cheese oozes out. Though shaping the loaf so everything is contained can be a little complicated, it's worth it for the oohs and ahhs you'll get when you cut it. 

Recipe: I Wash You Dry 

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This Mediterranean meatloaf recipe is healthy and unique. The ground turkey loaf has all kinds of mix-ins: roasted red peppers, feta cheese, kalamata olives, and fresh dill and parsley. Instead of a glaze on top, this one gets a big dollop of homemade tzatziki sauce, full of refreshing cucumbers, lemon, and dill. 

Recipe: Recipe Runner