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Rice Meatloaf
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A tender and tasty meatloaf made with ground beef, uncooked rice, vegetables, and herbs.
serves/makes:
ready in:
1-2 hrs
1-2 hrs
13 reviews
1 comment
ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup uncooked instant white rice
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup minced red bell pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon minced fresh herbs of your choice
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a loaf or meatloaf pan.
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Form the meat into a loaf shape and place in the loaf pan.
Place the pan in the oven and bake the meatloaf at 350 degrees F for 1 hour or until the meatloaf is done and reads 160 degrees F on a meat thermometer.
Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let the meatloaf rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
recipe tips
For a moister meatloaf, add a tablespoon of tomato paste to the meat mixture.
To prevent the meatloaf from sticking, line the loaf pan with parchment paper.
Try adding glaze of ketchup and brown sugar or bbq sauce on top before baking for extra flavor.
For a finer texture, pulse the vegetables in a food processor before adding them to the mix.
Letting the meatloaf rest before slicing helps it hold together better.
Try adding grated cheese to the meatloaf mixture for a cheesy twist.
Shape the loaf evenly in the pan so it cooks thoroughly and evenly.
For a healthier version, use extra lean ground beef or ground turkey.
common recipe questions
Can I use instant brown rice instead of instant white rice?
Yes, instant brown rice usually requires the same amount of liquid and cook time as instant white rice so you shouldn't need to modify anything.
What can I use instead of ground beef?
Ground turkey or chicken can be used as leaner alternatives.
Is there a substitute for red bell pepper?
Green bell pepper or shredded carrots can be used.
Can I make this recipe without garlic?
Yes, but garlic adds to the overall flavor.
What herbs work best in this recipe?
Thyme, parsley, or oregano are great options.
Can I use soy sauce instead of Worcestershire sauce?
Yes, soy sauce can be used instead. You can also use liquid aminos.
Is the egg necessary in the recipe?
The egg helps to bind the ingredients, but you can use a flax egg for an egg-free version.
What can I use instead of ketchup?
Tomato sauce or BBQ sauce can be used as substitutes.
How should I adjust the cooking time for a larger loaf?
A larger loaf may require additional cooking time. Always check the internal temperature. If you are doubling the recipe you may want to bake it in two loaf pans.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven or microwave.
Can I use cooked rice instead of using uncooked instant rice?
Yes, you can use pre-cooked rice. Just omit or reduce the milk added as the rice won't need as much additional liquid to cook.
tools needed
Mixing Bowl: To combine all the ingredients for the meatloaf, providing an even distribution of flavors throughout the dish.
Loaf or Meatloaf Pan: Greased to prevent the meatloaf from sticking and to maintain its shape while baking in the oven.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurately measuring out the ingredients such as rice, onion, red bell pepper, spices, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, milk, and bread crumbs.
Knife: To finely chop the onion, mince the red bell pepper, garlic, and fresh herbs, for a uniform texture in the meatloaf.
Cutting Board: A stable surface to chop the vegetables and herbs, preventing them from rolling around as you work.
Meat Thermometer: An important tool to make sure that the meatloaf is cooked through and safe to eat, measuring the internal temperature to a safe level.
Spatula or Knife: To carefully remove the meatloaf from the pan after baking and transfer it to a serving platter for slicing.
what goes with it?
Mashed potatoes: because what's meatloaf without mashed potatoes? The creamy goodness will complement the savory meatloaf perfectly.
Green beans: add a pop of color to your plate and a nice crunch to balance out the soft texture of the meatloaf.
Gravy: pour it on top of the meatloaf for an extra layer of flavor. It's like the cherry on top, but savory.
Garlic bread: because who can resist warm, buttery garlic bread to go alongside their meatloaf?f
beverage pairings
Wine Pairings
Merlot: This smooth red wine with notes of plum and cherry is a great match for the savory meatloaf. The medium body won't overpower the dish, but the fruity undertones will complement the herbs and spices.
Chardonnay: If you prefer white wine, a buttery Chardonnay can provide a luxurious pairing. The creamy texture and flavors of apple and vanilla can balance the richness of the meatloaf, making each bite even more delightful.
Zinfandel: Another option for red wine lovers, a bold Zinfandel with its jammy fruit and spicy finish can stand up to the meatloaf's flavors. The wine's peppery notes can add a nice kick to each bite.
Other Alcohol Pairings
Amber Ale: The maltiness and slight bitterness of an amber ale can cut through the richness of the meatloaf while enhancing the savory elements. Look for one with caramel and toasty notes.
Bourbon and Coke: Take the classic meat and potatoes combo up a notch with a bourbon and coke. The sweet, oaky notes in the bourbon can elevate the flavors of the meatloaf, while the carbonation adds a refreshing touch.
Craft Lager: A crisp, clean craft lager can be a refreshing choice to cleanse your palate between bites of the meatloaf. The effervescence can cut through the richness of the dish.
Non-Alcoholic Pairings
Iced Tea: A refreshing glass of iced tea, whether sweetened or unsweetened, can be a great companion to the meatloaf. The herbal notes in the tea can enhance the herbs in the dish.
Tomato Juice: If you're looking for something with a bit more tang, tomato juice can do the trick. The acidity in the juice can cut through the richness of the meatloaf, balancing each bite.
Ginger Beer: For a zesty and refreshing option, try pairing the meatloaf with a spicy ginger beer. The effervescence and ginger kick can liven up the dish.
nutrition data
429 calories, 21 grams fat, 31 grams carbohydrates, 26 grams protein per serving.
This Italian cheese is so versatile that it can be used in both sweet and savory recipes from cheesecakes to lasagnas.
Pizza night is always a favorite, especially when you have great tasting pizza from some of the most popular restaurants.
reviews & comments
September 22, 2023
I left the milk and bell pepper out. Didn't see a good reason for the milk, and didn't have a bell pepper on hand. Got a thumbs up from the family! My wife never heard of meatloaf with rice, but it was a staple of mine growing up. Lastly, didn't use minute rice, but cooked white rice before mixture. Appreciate the recipe, will use it again.
April 4, 2022
Thank you so much! This was the recipe my grandmother used, but I was missing the breadcrumbs and milk. Made all the difference.
March 6, 2022
Made this today exactly as recipe states....it was fantastic!!
September 14, 2020
I always put rice in my meatloaf, and was raised before instant rice, so...just cook the rice, until it is halfway done. Then put it in place of instant. Great recipe btw. Oh and you can cheat with the rice, make it in the microwave, just put 1/2 a cup extra water in it. Can use any rice, used long and jasmine in the past. Hopefully this helps.
June 6, 2019
This is my go-to meatloaf recipe. Always incredibly yummy!
September 6, 2018
Five stars I used regular rice cover for 50 minutes last 10 uncover to brown alittle yummy. :)
February 12, 2017
Loved the recipe omitted herbs and the minute rice and used flavored rice instead, Dirty rice was the flavor of choice, turned out fantastic!
This in my opinion was off the charts. My son who we adopted from ethiopia had this on his first day here he loved it and now loves me and whoever made this. Thx
September 27, 2014
Because of the last review I used instant rice. I'm not sure that's right either because it was very disintegrated (but delicious!). Would love to know what @shellyd used in the recipe! I will make this again though and maybe try regular rice (but I would hate to waste the entire thing if it wasn't cooked).
July 4, 2013
I don't like meatloaf when it has a lot of bread crumbs in it so I was quite happy to try this recipe. It has a good texture to it and you can vary the herbs to what you like. I used almond milk instead of plain milk and green onion instead of regular onion (I was out of regular).
December 29, 2012
Super good!! Really like the variation in consistency that the rice adds.
September 26, 2012
I used this recipe for Stuffed Peppers with just a couple changes and it was fabulous! My husband called it a 5 star restaurant dinner, his top honor. I used uncooked minute rice, adding it right to the mix, and it came out perfectly cooked. I left out the cut up bell pepper, only because I would get the pepper taste from the bell peppers I was cooking them in. I also added a bit of our favorite prepared spaghetti sauce on the top of each pepper with some shredded mozzarella cheese for the last 5 minutes of cooking...mmmmm good! Bet this would work well for the meatloaf topping too. I planted a Basil at the beginning of the summer in a 3 gal pot and it's huge, so that's the spice I used... Delicious! Definitely a 5 star recipe here!
January 14, 2011
Made this recipe one night for myself and the kids and it has become a hit in our house i have to make it at least once a week for the kids
August 31, 2010
I was looking for a recipe to use up a batch of mushy rice that I didn't want to waste. I used about 3/4 cup COOKED rice and OMITTED the milk. It was so tasty! I chose to use sage as my herb. It's also good if you add 1 T of Penzey's Cheese Sprinkles to the mixture.