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Cajun Meatloaf

Name: Cajun Meatloaf
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: cajun
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (80% lean); 0.5 lb ground pork; 1 pcs onion (medium, finely diced); 1 pcs celery (stalk, finely diced); 1 pcs bell pepper (medium green, finely diced); 3 pcs garlic (cloves, minced); 0.5 cup breadcrumbs (plain, unseasoned); 1 pcs egg (large, lightly beaten); 3 tbsp milk (whole milk); 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce; 2 tsp hot sauce (Louisiana-style); 1 tsp paprika (smoked paprika preferred); 0.5 tsp salt; 1 pinch black pepper; 1 pinch cayenne pepper; 0.5 tsp dried thyme; 0.5 tsp dried oregano; 3 tbsp ketchup (for glaze); 1 tbsp brown sugar (for glaze); 1 tsp oil (for sautéing)

RATING

4.4/5(32)

TASTE SCORE

9/10

A bold twist on the classic comfort food, this Cajun meatloaf brings Louisiana flair to your dinner table. Ground beef and pork are blended with the holy trinity of onion, celery, and bell pepper, then kicked up with a smoky, spicy Cajun seasoning blend. A tangy brown sugar glaze on top caramelizes as it bakes, creating a sticky-sweet crust that balances the heat perfectly.

PREP

20m

COOK

SERVES

1 SLICE

388 cal

SERVINGS

METHOD · 8 STEPS

prep
Preheat the oven and prep the pan.
Set the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
saute · ~7 min
Sauté the holy trinity.
1.Heat 1 tsp oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2.Add diced onion, celery, and bell pepper. Cook until softened (5-6 min).
3.Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant (30 sec).
4.Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
TIPLet the vegetables cool before mixing into the meat — hot veggies start cooking the meat unevenly.
mix · ~3 min
Combine the meatloaf mixture.
1.In a large bowl, add ground beef, ground pork, and cooled vegetables.
2.Add breadcrumbs, beaten egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce.
3.Sprinkle in smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
4.Mix gently with your hands until just combined — do not overwork.
TIPOvermixing makes the meatloaf dense and tough. Mix just until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
assemble · ~1 min
Shape the loaf.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan. Press it in gently and evenly, smoothing the top with a spatula.
mix · ~1 min
Mix the glaze.
In a small bowl, stir together the ketchup and brown sugar until smooth.
bake · ~30 min
Bake the meatloaf.
1.Place the loaf pan on the middle rack of the preheated oven.
2.Bake for 30 minutes.
bake · ~30 min
Glaze and finish baking.
1.Remove the meatloaf from the oven after 30 minutes.
2.Spread the brown sugar glaze evenly over the top.
3.Return to the oven and bake for another 25 to 30 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
TIPUse an instant-read thermometer — ground beef and pork must reach 160°F for food safety.
rest · ~10 min
Rest the meatloaf before slicing.
Remove from the oven and let the meatloaf rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Lift it out using the parchment paper, transfer to a cutting board, and slice.
TIPResting is essential — it lets the juices redistribute so the meatloaf stays moist and doesn't crumble when sliced.

PRO TIPS

What to keep in mind.

6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.

1
Sauté the holy trinity until just softened to avoid excess moisture in the meatloaf.
2
Cool the cooked vegetables completely before mixing with the meat to prevent the fat from melting prematurely.
3
Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the center reaches 160°F for safe and juicy meatloaf.
4
Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes after baking so the juices redistribute and slices hold together.
5
Line the loaf pan with parchment paper for easy lifting and clean slices without sticking.
6
For a smokier flavor, swap regular paprika for smoked paprika and add a pinch of chipotle powder.

RECIPE VARIATIONS