4 Delicious, Nutritious Meatloafs

Three reasons to love meatloafs. They are nutrient-dense, money smart and you can get two (or more) meals from them.

Nutrient Dense (nutrients per calorie)

Sustainably-sourced meat is rich in nutrients. You can make it more nutrient-dense by adding vegetables

onion
chopped mushrooms
shredded carrot or zucchini
rice cauliflower
legumes – lentils, black beans, white beans
herbs – cilantro, parsley, basil
spices – cumin, turmeric, paprika and more

[su_expanding_quote_book alignment=”full” source_author=”Sally Fallon” source_title=”Nourishing Traditions” full_quote=”Red meat is an excellent source of both macro and trace minerals, particularly zinc and magnesium. In meats, these minerals exist in a form that is much easier for the body to break down and utilize than the minerals in grains and legumes. Red meats are rick in vitamin B12, so important for a healthy nervous system and blood, and in carnitine, which is essential for healthy functioning of the heart. Beef and lamb fat contain fat-soluble vitamins and small amounts of essential fatty acids, especially if these animals have bene allowed to graze on green grass. These fat-soluble acids are what your body needs to utilize the minerals in all foods. Lamb and beef fat are rich in linoleic acid, whih has strong anticancer effects; both lamb and beef fat contain palmitoleic acid, which proects us from viruses and other pathoegns.” short_quote=”Red meat is an excellent source of both macro and trace minerals”]

Money Smart

By adding beans, vegetables, or grains you can “stretches” one pound of ground beef twice as far. This makes sustainably-source meat more economical. Think of meat as a condiment rather than king of the plate.

Meatloaf is also time smart because you can bake at the same time with roasted vegetables. Just drizzle with olive oil mixed with minced garlic.

broccoli, Brussels sprouts or cauliflower
asparagus or green beans
bell peppers
potato and/or sweet potatoes
other root vegetables: carrots, beets, turnips, rutabaga

The most delicious, nutritious option is to use different color veggies.

Or serve it with sweet potato puree or nutrient-rich mashed potatoes mashed with other root vegetables

cauliflower
carrots
turnips, rutabaga

Or add “mix ins” to your mashed potatoes

sautéed spinach or kale
leeks
mushrooms

Get additional meals with either the roasted vegetables (like grain bowls) or with the mashed potatoes (Shepherd’s Pie)

2-for-1: Jumpstart another meal

Make two and freeze one for another day. Defrost before putting in the oven

Double recipe to repurpose into another meal later in the week:

Stuffed peppers , or zucchini “boats”, or twice-baked sweet potatoes. Add tomato sauce and fresh herbs, top with cheese
Meatloaf tacos, quesadillas or enchiladas
Spaghetti or chili
Quiche or fried rice

Favorite Meatloaf Recipes

Turkey Meatloaf with Apricots- Color My Food

Buffalo Meatloaf with Mushrooms – Epicurious

Mexican Meatloaf with Black Beans – The Spruce Eats

Meatloaf with Quinoa – Foodie Crush

I always use ground beef for the meatloaf with quinoa; I find the turkey meat is too dry. Or add extra Greek yogurt

What do do?