Meat loaf is often bound with egg, cracker crumbs, breadcrumbs, or oats, but different ingredients can also be added for flavor and texture. If you are experimenting with new ingredients, you may want to first mix a very small batch and fry up a hamburger of the mixture to taste it before mixing and cooking the entire loaf.
To one 8-cup recipe, you can add vegetables such as:
1/2 cup finely grated carrots, potatoes, or sweet potatoes
The vegetables must be finely grated or chopped so that they fully cook inside the loaf. It is best to cook some additions first, such as:
1/2 cup thinly sliced sautéed mushrooms, or 1/2 cup cooked rice
For crunch, you can add:
1/4 cup coarsely chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts
For a little spice, add:
2 teaspoons chili sauce, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, or 1 tablespoon drained horseradish
The key is to season highly. Be brave! Add more garlic if your family likes garlic or try another herb combination. For each 1 tablespoon parsley, substitute:
Do no overmix meat loaf, or it will be too dense. When making additions, it is always best to cook a small amount first to see if the mixture will hold together and that it is seasoned properly. Make a small patty and sauté it in a skillet, let it cool slightly, and taste. If the mixture falls apart, add another egg; if it is bland, add more seasonings.
classic meat loaf
ham loaf
german meatballs with caper sauce (k├╢nigsberger klopse)
