This recipe makes Meatloaf for a dinner party in an easy to serve presentation using a 9 inch spring form pan. It allows for a beautiful and unique display that creates a stunning main course centerpiece for your dinner party, family dinner, or holiday event.
Made with high quality ground beef, parmesan cheese, peppers, mustards and spices; the flavor is rich and satisfying while providing a high protein meal that everyone will love. Meatloaf pairs so well with a variety of sides, making it go even further when feeding a crowd.
Meatloaf is universally appealing. When properly made it’s moist, holds its shape when cut and presents well on the table. Our meatloaf for a dinner party recipe is also made so it can be presented on a circular tray or even cake plate with an attractive side dish in the center, and colorful garnish to set it off.
If you love meatloaf, other meatloaf recipes could also be made in this way. Definitely not your normal bread loaf pan style meatloaf, it brings a unique twist to the otherwise common meal. Let’s get started.
Where did meatloaf come from?
Meatloaf is a traditional German, Scandinavian, and Belgian dish that came about as an off shoot of meatballs. American meatloaf began as a mixture of ground pork and cornmeal that was enjoyed by German-Americans starting in colonial times in the Pennsylvania region.
Though it has changed to more of a beef dinner and no longer includes cornmeal, meatloaf is still very close to its traditional form. It’s well loved as a tasty dinner option and usually enjoyed alongside mashed potatoes and steamed veggies.
What is the secret to moist meatloaf?
Juicy, moist meatloaf is achieved by using high fat ground beef. Lean beef will result in denser meatloaf that will be lacking in moisture once it is cooked. Use a higher fat ground beef, at least 15% fat content is necessary for a moist meatloaf.
Another option is to mix meats in order to achieve a juicier meatloaf. Pork is naturally higher in fat and will add flavor and juice to the meatloaf. If you are making a meatloaf with chicken or turkey, it is recommended to mix it with pork or even veal in order to increase the fats.
How much ground beef for meatloaf for 8 ?
Our meatloaf for a dinner party recipe uses 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef and easily makes generous portions for 10. If you are looking to make meatloaf for 12, or even meatloaf for 15; this recipe can be used and enjoyed with an array of sides. The portions will be deep, and can be sliced thinner in order to feed a larger crowd.
If you are using a smaller springform pan, reduce the measurements to fit the pan size.
What ingredients keep meatloaf from falling apart?
Eggs and breadcrumbs are the two ingredients important for holding together your meatloaf. The eggs act as a binder while the breadcrumbs help to absorb the excess liquids and fats that are released during the cooking process.
Oatmeal or crushed croutons can also be used in place of the breadcrumbs if you prefer.
Meatloaf dinner ideas
If you are looking for ideas for how to serve this meatloaf for a dinner party, and what to enjoy with it rest assured; meatloaf is one of the easiest meals to build on as it is versatile and pairs wonderfully with an array of sides.
- Serve with mashed, fried, or roasted potatoes
- Enjoy with seasonal roasted vegetables
- Pair with roasted acorn squash or butternut squash
- Offer fresh, hot dinner rolls
- Begin your dinner party with appetizers like our goat cheese crostini, or roasted bacon wrapped sweet potato wedges.
- Enjoy with creamed spinach
- Riced cauliflower or steamed quinoa
Is it better to cook meatloaf at 350 or 375?
Because meatloaf is prone to drying out, it is best to cook it at the lowest possible temperature that will ensure baking. This meatloaf for a dinner party does use more meat, but 350 is still the recommended temperature the cook it at. Anything higher will likely result in the surface burning.
Meatloaf for a Dinner Party
Meatloaf is universally appealing. When properly made it’s moist, holds it’s shape when cut and presents well on the table. This meatloaf recipe is also made so it can be presented prettily on a circular tray or even cake plate with an attractive side dish in the center, and colorful garnish to set it off.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb. ground beef
- 1/2 Cup ketchup
- 1/3 Cup parmesan cheese
- 3/4 Cup fresh bread crumbs
- 1 Cup yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 Cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 tsp. dry mustard
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- (Topping)
- 1/4 Cup tomato ketchup
- 1/2 tsp. mustard
- 2 tsp. brown sugar
- 1/2 Cup peppers, diced to sprinkle over the top
Instructions
- Pre heat oven to 350 degrees
- Grease a 9 inch spring form pan
- In a large bowl, combine ketchup, eggs, onion and peppers, parmesan, salt and pepper and bread crumbs until thoroughly mixed
- Add ground beef and by hand, mix it thoroughly into the prepared mixture
- Form it into the greased pan into a circle and use a small ramekin to hold the center if necessary. Alternately, you can use a greased 8 x 8 casserole dish and form it into a square, as desired
- Bake for 45 minutes or until thoroughly baked through
- Spread the topping and sprinkle with diced peppers
Nutrition Information
Yield
10Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 281Total Fat 14gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 101mgSodium 489mgCarbohydrates 15gFiber 1gSugar 7gProtein 22g
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Source: Great American Recipe Card. Circa 1980
Shannon
Saturday 11th of May 2024
1.5LB to feed 10 people "generously?" Is this a joke?
Sandib
Saturday 9th of December 2023
The 2 tsp. Mustard is that dry or prepard?
Diane
Saturday 9th of December 2023
Hi Sandy, Thanks for the question. It's dry mustard. I'll revise the recipe for you. happy Holidays!
Heidy@The McCallumsShamrockPatch
Monday 22nd of December 2014
Thanks for posting such a fun and unique recipe. I have to tell you it reminds me of really cool vintage recipe and I do ADORE vintage and retro items. Finally a meatloaf that catches my interest !! Fantastic idea!
homemadefoodjunkie
Tuesday 23rd of December 2014
It is fun to make in a spring form pan. Delicious too. My lads LOVED it! Thanks for the visit and compliment Heidy!