Meatloaves have for ages been considered one of the tastiest foods of all time. It is considered a go-to meal because it is easy to make and doesn’t take a lot of time.
It has a distinct taste and smell and to make it even better, you can manipulate the taste and style to your own palate preference.
Let’s look at how to microwave meatloaf?
It is not rocket science, first mix ground beef, eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, and the seasonings you love. Mash them together until the mixture becomes smooth and you cannot see the separate ingredients in the mixture.
Put it in a microwave-friendly dish and microwave it on the medium power setting for 12- 15 minutes. It will be thoroughly cooked at 167 degrees Celsius (Use an internal meat thermometer).
To help you grasp the process better, I have put together all the ingredients and equipment you need, and a step-by-step procedure on how to microwave a meatloaf, with the average time it takes to perfectly execute it. I will also answer some of the commonly asked questions related to microwaving meatloaf.
You might be wondering, what meatloaf is?
Meatloaf is an embodiment of classic American comfort food. It is made from a blend of ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, ketchup/barbeque sauce and a variety of seasonings, then formed into the shape of bread and baked.
It can be made using an assortment of meats such as chicken, veal, pork, lamb, and turkey.
When it’s done, ketchup or barbeque sauce can be used as a topping spread.
The intricacy is a preference for busy people and college students as it is easy to make and takes less time to cook.
Sometimes, we just need an easy meal after a long day. Microwaved meatloaf is just the thing. Let me show you how to do this in less than 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- I kg lean beef mince
- 5 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons French onion soup powder mixture
- 2 tablespoons ketchup sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk.
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Sea salt
- 3 large eggs
As always, you can fiddle and play around with the ingredients. These are just the ingredients I prefer.
Step by step process on how to microwave meatloaf
Step 1: Make the Mince-meat Mixture
First, put the minced beef in a mixing bowl, and add the breadcrumbs, followed by the milk. Next, put all the dry ingredients in the bowl, followed by your choice of sauce. You can use either ketchup or barbeque sauce.
Using a fork, mix up the contents in the bowl, making sure the ingredients blend well together. If the mixture feels and looks smooth, and you no longer see the separate ingredients, then you know it is ready.
Step 2: Move the Mixture into a Microwave Dish
Next, transfer the ground beef mixture into a microwave-friendly dish. Push the mixture as far down into the microwave dish and mash it all around to the edges. Make it as flat as possible at the top.
Step 3: Microwave the Mixture
To start cooking the meatloaf, slip it into a 1000Watt microwave and set the timer to 12 minutes. The time it takes to cook the meatloaf purely depends on the thickness of your mixture.
I mentioned a 1000Watt microwave since most microwaves come at 1000Watts but if it happens that your microwave has more than 1000Watts, just reduce the cooking time.
Step 4: Check the Meat Temperature
In case you are not certain whether it is evenly cooked or not, use an internal meat thermometer to confirm. Just insert it at the center of your meatloaf. Ensure it reads 75 degrees Celsius or 167 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 5: Make the glaze
You can make your own glaze by mixing 3 tablespoons of Ketchup, 2 tablespoons of barbeque sauce, and about a tablespoon of garlic powder (the measurements are my own preference you can add or reduce to your own liking).
Blend them together with a spoon and spread the mixture around the meatloaf and return it to the microwave for an extra 2-3 minutes.
Step 6: Serve and Devour
Set it down to cool for a minute or two. Trying to slice it while hot will make it crumble.
There you have it. The most delicious mouth-watering 20-minute microwaved meatloaf!
Hints To Microwaving a Thoroughly Cooked Meatloaf
Do you sometimes microwave your meatloaf and it tastes spongy and flavor impaired? If so, here are a few pointers on how to remedy that.
- Use lean beef mince: It has low-fat content so it will prevent fat from dripping all over the microwave.
- Use a microwave- friendly dish to cook the meatloaf: Ramekin dish is a safe option.
- Set the right cooking time for your microwave: The time depends on the thickness of the meatloaf. If it’s chunky, increase the time.
- Heat the meatloaf on a medium power setting: Using a high-power setting will make the outside of the meatloaf cook faster than the inside.
- To check if the meat is cooked, use a meat thermometer: It should read 165 degrees Celsius or 167 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do I cook meatloaf without drying it out?
The fat in the meat is what keeps your meat moist. It is better to use a high fat to beef ratio but if you prefer low-fat meat, sprinkle water with a dash of olive oil to keep the meat from drying out.
What type of meat is best for cooking microwave meatloaf?
Microwave meatloaf cooks really fast so it’s better to use a high fat to meat ratio when buying the meat. This will keep your meat moist. Always ask for a 70/30 0r 60/40 fat to meat ratio.
How do you store microwave meatloaf?
Microwave meatloaf when tightly wrapped and sealed with an aluminum foil can last for 4-5 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freeze. To re-use it, thaw overnight in the fridge. Remove the foil and bake using a greased pan at 360 degrees Fahrenheit and the center reading 167 degrees Fahrenheit.
What do I need to cook meatloaf in the microwave?
Ground beef, pantry ingredients, and a microwave-friendly dish are all you need. A meat thermometer is also crucial when cooking any meat -related foods.
Faqs On How to Cook Meatloaf in a Microwave
1. How do you cook ground beef in the microwave?
Put unwrapped ground beef in a microwave-friendly bowl, place it in the microwave, and on medium power, set the timer for 5-6 minutes, flip the ground beef over and set it for another 6 minutes. Turn it over and using the high-power setting, let it cook for another 3 minutes.
2. Should food be covered when microwaving?
This purely depends on preference. But microwave energy works best when exposed to water molecules. Covering it will not dry out your food. Covering will also keep your food from splashing all over the microwave.
3. How do you microwave a raw ground turkey?
Put the ground turkey in a microwave-friendly container and heat it on medium power for 5 minutes. Use a fork to poke around the meat. Then continue heating it on low power for the remaining cook time.
Note that ground turkey takes 18-20 minutes on average to be fully cooked.
4. Does cooking using a microwave make meat tougher?
Meat gets tough when cooked at very high temperatures. The reason is that the outside will obviously get cooked faster than the inside. You can avoid this by always following the recommended cooking guidelines for microwaving meat.
5. What foods can you not cook in the microwave?
It is common knowledge that you should never put aluminum foils and paper wrappings in the microwave. There is a lot of food that must never be cooked in the microwaves such as eggs, hot peppers, broccoli sauces, and dozens of other foods.
6. How much time does it take to cook meat in the microwave?
Meat takes an average of 12-15 minutes to be fully cooked in a microwave. It also centers on the type of meat that you are cooking. When you microwave meat, the tenderness of the meat may not be as pronounced as it would have been using other conventional methods.
Also, different microwave models have different settings, it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when cooking meat with a microwave.
Take-Home Points
Cooking a quick-fix meatloaf does not need to be the reason for a lot of thought or craft. All you need is a microwave and the right pantry ingredients. Never forget to always cook the meatloaf on medium or low heat so that your meatloaf can come out evenly cooked. Remember to always use an internal meat thermometer to check if the meat is thoroughly cooked. It’s also very important to strictly follow the manufacturers’ recommended guidelines for cooking using a microwave. Stick to this and your homemade microwaved meatloaf will come out blazing and perfectly cooked!
