She Strengthens

Savory Meatloaf Recipe with a Twist

When it comes to meatloaf, you want a dish that’s packed with flavor and tender to the bite. This all-beef meatloaf recipe is a game-changer, featuring sautéed mushrooms and onions, deglazed with red wine for an intense flavor boost.

Flavorful Foundation

To start, heat your oven to 375°F and prepare a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. In a large frying pan, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium-high heat until foaming. Add 1 medium yellow onion, diced, and 8 ounces of cremini mushrooms, stems trimmed and cut into medium dice. Season with 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and slightly browned, and the mushrooms have released their liquid, about 8-10 minutes.

Aromatic Additions

Add 1 medium garlic clove, minced, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Increase the heat to high, pour in 3/4 cup of dry red wine, and scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer until the wine has almost completely evaporated, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons of finely chopped fresh thyme leaves and 1 teaspoon of finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves. Let the mixture cool slightly, about 5 minutes.

Meatloaf Magic

In a large bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs, 12 soda crackers (crushed into oat-sized pieces), 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, and the remaining 2 teaspoons of kosher salt. Add the cooled vegetable mixture, 2 pounds of ground beef (15-20% fat content), and 1 cup of shredded fontina cheese (about 3 ounces). Using clean hands, mix everything until evenly combined, being careful not to squeeze or overwork the mixture.

Baking to Perfection

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet and shape into a 9-by-5-inch loaf. Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 160°F to 165°F, about 50 minutes. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving with your favorite sides, such as an avinaigrette-dressed salad and a glass of red wine.

A Delicious Twist

Take your meatloaf to the next level by serving it with our easy Mushroom Gravy recipe. With its rich, savory flavor, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. Yield: 4-6 servings. Difficulty: Easy. Total time: 2 hours.