Ranch meatloaf is a family favorite homestyle version much like Grandma's but better! This healthy recipe takes the classic version and elevates it with delicious ranch seasoning! Delicious and easy to make on weeknights or for a Sunday dinner.
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Ranch meatloaf is the ultimate healthy comfort food. When fall hits, whether I'm throwing something in the crockpot or instant pot or making a cozy soup or this recipe, you can be that it's a cozy dish that the whole family loves.
If you're a meatloaf fan, definitely try the Meatloaf without breadcrumbs recipe, you'll love it too! When you're not making that, try out this ranch meatloaf served with a side of mashed potatoes and green beans for a full dinner!
Why This Recipe Works
- Super moist and flavorful, thanks to ranch seasoning!
- Tastes just as good as Grandma's classic recipe and even better than Cracker Barrel or your favorite restaurant version.
- Kid friendly - there are no large chunks of onion or other texture surprises.
- Quick prep - you can make this recipe ahead and cook later.
- Tangy and zesty ranch seasoning give just the right spice to this ranch meatloaf.
Ingredients for Making This Recipe
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
Ingredients for Healthy Meatloaf
- Bread: Any bread will do. If you are using a thicker, heartier bread you can use 2 pieces, for thinner bread, you will need 3.
- Ketchup: I used Heinz.
- Milk: Dairy or plain non dairy milk work well.
- Ranch Seasoning: Hidden Valley Ranch dip mix or Simply Organic Ranch Seasoning work well here.
- Mustard: Any kind of mustard will do but I like dijon the best for this recipe.
- Ground Meat: I prefer ground beef with ground pork or ground beef with turkey for making ranch meatloaf. For a healthy meatloaf aim for 90/10 beef.
How to Make This Recipe
Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.
1. Soak the bread. Rip bread into tiny pieces and add milk to soak bread.
2. Bread + Meat. Add the soaked bread to the meat and season with salt and pepper. Mix gently a few times
3. Ranch Seasoning + Egg. Add in ranch packet and one egg.
4. Gently mix. Using your hands, incorporate all of the ingredients until mixed but not over mixed.
5. Shape the loaf. Place meat mixture onto a foil-lined pan (see helpful tips for how to make a meatloaf pan) and shape into a loaf.
6. Make the glaze sauce. Mix together ketchup, raw honey and mustard until well mixed.
7. Coat the meatloaf. Coat the loaf evenly and get it ready to go into a 350F oven for 60-70 minutes.
Expert Tips
- Customization Ideas:
- Add in some bbq or buffalo sauce for a spicy kick, wrap in some crispy bacon, or use some fried onions for a crunchy topping.
- Try oats in ranch meatloaf as a filler instead of bread.
- Bump up the veggie factor by adding in some zucchini, spinach or other hidden veggies.
- Use a muffin tin to make healthy mini muffins that are individual in size.
- Swap out ketchup for mustard or use a low sugar ketchup like primal kitchen ketchup for a keto version.
- Add in some cheddar cheese for a cheesy twist.
- Use ground chicken or pork in place of beef and turkey.
- Use the America's Test Kitchen rack method for easy cleanup of the pan.
FAQs
If you chose dressing over seasoning you will want to reduce the amount of milk slightly. Adding in liquid dressing will increase the moisture so you will want to counteract that by reducing the milk.
Cook uncovered. If the ketchup crust becomes too hard or burn you can always tent it with foil.
Just a bit of whole grain bread, ranch seasoning and an egg make a delicious and simple filling for ranch meatloaf.
Related Recipes
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Ranch Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 2-3 pieces whole wheat bread
- ½ cup milk or unsweetened almond milk
- 1 pound ground beef 90/10
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 1 egg
- salt + pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- ⅓ cup ketchup
Instructions
- Rip bread into tiny pieces and place in a large bowl. Add milk to soak bread and mix gently.
- Add meat to the soaked bread and season with salt and pepper. Mix gently a few times.
- Add in ranch packet and one egg. Using your hands, incorporate all of the ingredients until mixed but not over mixed.
- Place meat mixture onto a foil-lined pan (see helpful tips for how to make a meatloaf pan) and shape into a loaf.
- Mix together ketchup, raw honey and mustard until well mixed. Coat the loaf evenly with the ketchup glaze.
- Bake meatloaf in a 350F oven for 60-80 minutes or until an instant read thermometer reads 165F.
Notes
- Customization Ideas:
- Add in some bbq or buffalo sauce for a spicy kick, wrap in some crispy bacon, or use some fried onions for a crunchy topping.
- Try oats in meatloaf as a filler instead of bread.
- Bump up the veggie factor by adding in some zucchini, spinach or other hidden veggies.
- Use a muffin tin to make healthy mini meatloaf muffins that are individual in size.
- Swap out ketchup for mustard or use a low sugar ketchup like primal kitchen ketchup for a keto meatloaf.
- Add in some cheddar cheese for a cheesy twist.
- Use ground chicken or pork in place of beef and turkey.
- Use the America's Test Kitchen meatloaf rack method for easy cleanup of the pan.
Emily
I’ve never made the same meatloaf twice, but I’m telling you…this recipe will be the one I now make forever! It was absolutely delicious. Thanks Lyndsey!
Lyndsey
Thank you for this message! I'm so glad you enjoyed and so thankful for the review!