How Long Does It Take to Cook Meatloaf?
It takes approximately one to 1.5 hours to cook meatloaf at a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit in a standard 4-inch by 4-inch by 8-inch loaf pan. Individual servings baked inside muffin tins typically take 20 minutes to cook at the same oven temperature. A beef meatloaf is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 170 degrees Fahrenheit, while a pork meatloaf must reach 185 degrees Fahrenheit.
Meatloaf consists of three main ingredients, meat, a filler and liquid. Use 1/2 cup of filler for every pound of meat in the meatloaf. Some possible fillers include bread crumbs, mashed moist bread, oatmeal, grated potato, grated carrot or mashed potatoes. Using soft bread crumbs in the loaf instead of dried bread crumbs makes the loaf tender. Dried bread crumbs must be moistened with milk before adding them to the meatloaf. Additional fillers also help to add flavor to the meatloaf, although the loaf does not hold together as well. Adding extra filler to meatloaf made from ground turkey or chicken also helps to give the meat a lighter texture. Loaves made from poultry must reach an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that it is cooked completely.
