With a mix of county sausage and ground beef, this sausage meatloaf is easy to make and tastes great. It has a balsamic ketchup glaze on top.
If you want to make a tasty meatloaf for dinner during the week, this is the way to do it. The herbs and spices that go into country sausage make it taste great, so it’s a great addition to any party. This makes for an easy meatloaf because there arent a lot of other ingredients required.
Sausage meatloaf is not made entirely with sausage. To see what it looks like, click on the link. It’s a mix of ground beef and country pork sausage. Because country sausage has a lot of seasoning, you only need ½ pound and can mix it with one pound of ground beef.
Every classic meatloaf recipe needs a proper glaze. Yes, you can simply use ketchup, but that is a bit boring. This recipe blends balsamic vinegar and Worcestershire sauce with ketchup and it really makes an exciting glaze.
Meatloaf is a classic American comfort food, but it often gets a bad rap for being boring and dry However, when made right, meatloaf can be incredibly moist, tender and packed with flavor One of the best tricks for amping up the juiciness and flavor of meatloaf is to add sausage.
Why Adding Sausage Makes Meatloaf Better
Italian sausage, whether hot or sweet, adds great flavor and richness to meatloaf. The sausage provides plenty of fat to keep the meatloaf tender and moist, while the blend of herbs and spices in Italian sausage gives the meatloaf a big flavor boost.
Ground pork is a traditional meatloaf ingredient because it adds moisture and a richer, meatier flavor. Swapping plain ground pork for sausage takes the flavor up another notch. And since Italian sausage already contains salt, onions, garlic and spices like fennel, oregano and basil, it allows you to cut back on the amount of extra seasoning needed in the meatloaf.
How Much Sausage to Use
Most meatloaf recipes call for a ratio of 1 pound ground beef to 1/4 pound ground pork. To substitute Italian sausage, use:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 pound Italian sausage
This provides enough sausage to significantly impact the flavor without overpowering the ground beef. The meatloaf will end up with a nice balance of flavors
Sausage Meatloaf Ingredients
Here are the ingredients needed to make a flavorful sausage meatloaf:
- 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
- 1/4 pound Italian sausage (hot or sweet)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup finely diced onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Mixing the Meatloaf
To mix up the meatloaf:
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In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, ketchup, egg, onion, parsley, garlic, and Italian seasoning.
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Season with salt and pepper. Mix everything together well, preferably using your hands.
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Fry a small patty of the meatloaf mixture in a skillet to check the seasoning. Adjust salt and pepper as needed.
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Form the meatloaf mixture into a loaf shape and place in a loaf pan or shape it free-form on a baking sheet.
Baking the Meatloaf
To ensure your meatloaf comes out perfectly:
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Preheat oven to 375°F.
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Bake the meatloaf for 50-60 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
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Allow the meatloaf to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to let the juices redistribute.
Baking the meatloaf in a loaf pan or on a baking sheet allows any excess grease to drain away while cooking. This prevents the meatloaf from being greasy.
Glazing the Meatloaf
A sweet and tangy glaze gives meatloaf a delicious glossy topping. For the glaze:
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In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.
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Brush half the glaze over the meatloaf about 20 minutes before the end of baking time.
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Brush the remaining glaze over the top during the last 5 minutes of baking.
Serving Suggestions
Meatloaf is delicious served with:
- Mashed potatoes
- Buttered noodles
- Rice pilaf
- Roasted vegetables
- Green salad
Don’t forget the condiments! Ketchup, mustard and steak sauce all pair nicely with sausage meatloaf.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of sausage is best for meatloaf?
Italian sausage, whether hot or sweet, adds the most flavor to meatloaf. Spicy sausage gives the meatloaf a kick of heat.
Can I use breakfast sausage?
Breakfast sausage can be substituted for Italian sausage. It has a sage flavor that pairs well with meatloaf.
What about pre-made sausage patties or links?
Pre-made sausage works too but should be removed from the casing and crumbled before adding to the meatloaf mixture.
How do I know if the meatloaf is done?
Use an instant read thermometer to check the center of the meatloaf. It should reach 160°F when fully cooked.
Why does my meatloaf fall apart?
Be sure to mix the ingredients gently but thoroughly and don’t overwork the mixture. Overmixing can cause meatloaf to fall apart. Adding an egg or breadcrumbs binds the meatloaf together.
How can I stop my meatloaf from being dry?
Using sausage and not overbaking the meatloaf prevents dryness. Basting with a glaze during baking also keeps it moist. Letting it rest before slicing allows juices to absorb back into the meat.
Conclusion
Adding Italian sausage to meatloaf is a simple way to take it from bland to delicious. The sausage provides a big boost of flavor and moisture. Be sure to use a ratio of 3 parts ground beef to 1 part sausage. Mix in onion, garlic, herbs, and a sweet and tangy glaze for the ultimate meatloaf. Your family will surely ask for seconds!
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Storing and Reheating Leftovers
For up to a week, meatloaf that has been made ahead of time should be kept in the fridge in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap. You can reheat it in the microwave in single servings for the best results, or you can warm slices slowly in a small skillet. I highly recommend using these for leftover meatloaf sandwiches.
- ▢ Digital Thermometer
- ▢ Bread loaf pan
- ▢ 1 pound ground beef
- ▢ ½ pound country sausage
- ▢ ¾ cups breadcrumbs
- ▢ 1 large egg (beaten)
- ▢ ¾ cup milk
- ▢ ½ medium onion (finely chopped)
- ▢ 2 small cloves garlic (minced)
- ▢ 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ▢ ½ cup ketchup
- ▢ 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ▢ ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Gently crumble beef and sausage into a large bowl.
- Add breadcrumbs, beaten egg, milk, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together well with your hands to make sure it’s all mixed in evenly.
- To make the glaze, mix ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and balsamic vinegar.
- Two tablespoons of glaze should be used to cover the bottom of your bread pan.
- Put the meatloaf mix into the bread pan and press it down to fill it up.
- Put the meatloaf in the oven and cover it with the rest of the glaze.
- Bake for 60 minutes, or until it reaches 160 degrees.
- Remove from oven, let cool slightly, slice and serve.
This recipe was originally published on May 1, 2020.
How to make it
To make this sausage meatloaf recipe, first, get your oven preheated to 350 degrees. Crack your beef and sausage into little pieces and put them in a big bowl while the oven heats up.
Put the egg, milk, onion, garlic, salt, black pepper, and plain bread crumbs in the bowl. Then, mix everything together well.
Put the ketchup, balsamic vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce in a different small bowl. Mix them together to make the tangy glaze.
Place aluminum foil around the edges of a bread pan; this makes it easier to clean up and take the meatloaf out of the oven. Then, spread a spoonful of glaze across the bottom of the pan. Place the meat mixture into the breadpan and press to form it into an even loaf. Then paint the remaining glaze on top of the meatloaf.
Test the meatloaf with a meat thermometer and bake it for an hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees. Then let cool slightly and serve with fluffy mashed potatoes.
