For those of you who haven’t had the opportunity, the Boston Market’s meatloaf is the epitome of comfort food – hearty, rich, and utterly fulfilling. But what if you could recreate this gastronomic marvel in the comfort of your own kitchen?
Imagine serving up a slice of this mouth-watering main dish to your friends and family. They marvel at the exquisite taste while wondering if you had it delivered from Boston Market directly. Little do they know, the warm, juicy meatloaf they’re devouring was created with love by your hands guided by a traditional recipe.
How to make Boston Market Meatloaf
Boston Market Meatloaf is a popular dish served at Boston Market restaurants, which is a chain of casual dining restaurants known for their rotisserie chicken, meatloaf, and other comfort food offerings. Their meatloaf typically consists of ground beef mixed with various seasonings and ingredients like breadcrumbs, eggs, onions, and spices.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 3/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 egg
For the glaze:
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. While the oven heats up, combine all the main ingredients in a large bowl. Make sure you mix them evenly.
- Form the loaf: Place the meat mixture on a baking sheet lined with foil. Shape it into a loaf, ensuring the top remains flat.
- Bake: Bake for 45 minutes.
- Mix the glaze and apply: Mix the ingredients for the glaze in a small bowl. After the meatloaf has baked for 45 minutes, carefully remove it from the oven and apply the glaze evenly over the top using a brush.
- Bake again: Return the meatloaf to the oven and continue to bake it for another 15-20 minutes or until it is fully cooked.
- Cool: Allow the meatloaf to cool a bit before slicing and serving.
Valuable Tips
- While mixing the ingredients, try not to compact the meats too much. Keeping the meat mixture on the looser side will help your meatloaf maintain a tender and moist texture.
- It’s essential to let the meatloaf rest before slicing it. The resting period allows the juices to redistribute into the meat, resulting in a juicier, more flavorful meatloaf.
- Don’t skip the glazing step! Glaze not only adds a tangy-sweet element to your meatloaf but also improves the color and appearance of the final dish.
What to serve with
You’ve now recreated the Boston Market Meatloaf at home, but the actual feast wouldn’t be complete without the perfect sides to complement this hearty main dish. Here are a few serving suggestions you might want to consider:
- Mashed Potatoes: A classic side to meatloaf is mashed potatoes. They are creamy, fluffy, and great for soaking up any flavorful juices on your plate. Consider adding garlic or cheddar cheese to your mashed potatoes for extra flavor.
- Roasted Vegetables: For a healthy and colorful side, consider a medley of roasted vegetables. You can use any combination of your favorites, but popular options include sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and bell peppers—season with some olive oil, salt, pepper, and your preferred herbs before roasting until tender.
- Macaroni and Cheese: Another comforting side that pairs exceptionally well with meatloaf is macaroni and cheese. Its creamy and cheesy flavors complement the robust taste of the meatloaf.
- Green Beans: Steamed green beans tossed with some butter, salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon can balance out the hearty and rich taste of the meatloaf. For an extra twist, you could sauté them with garlic and almonds.
- Dinner Rolls: Soft and fluffy dinner rolls are the perfect companion for your Boston Market Meatloaf. They’ll help mop up any extra tomato glaze on your plate.
- Coleslaw: The crisp and tangy notes of a well-made coleslaw can provide a refreshing contrast to the heavy, rich flavors of the meatloaf.
- Refreshing Salad: Pairing your meatloaf with a bright, crisp salad can help balance the dish’s richness. A simple mixed greens salad with vinaigrette or a classic Caesar salad would work wonders.
- Dessert: To wrap up your meatloaf meal, consider a classic American dessert like apple pie or a warm brownie with vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients substitute
Cooking is an art, so it’s all about flexibility and making the recipe your own. If certain ingredients in the Boston Market Meatloaf recipe don’t align with your dietary needs or aren’t available, here are some substitutes that you can use:
- Ground Beef and Ground Pork: Ground turkey or chicken can be used instead of ground beef and pork for those who prefer poultry or want to cut down on red meat. For vegetarian options, lentils, mushrooms, or a plant-based ground meat substitute are excellent choices.
- Tomato Sauce: If you don’t have tomato sauce, you can use ketchup, salsa, or canned diced tomatoes blended until smooth.
- Dry Bread Crumbs: You can substitute breadcrumbs with crushed croutons, crackers, or even oats. For gluten-free alternatives, consider using almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs or oats.
- Dijon Mustard: Replace Dijon mustard with yellow mustard or a mix of yellow mustard and a pinch of sugar. Another option is to use a mixture of mayo and dry mustard powder.
- Onion and Bell Pepper: These ingredients are primarily for flavor. If you’re not a fan, simply omit them. You could also substitute with other vegetables like carrots, zucchini, or mushrooms for a unique flavor profile.
- Egg: Suppose you’re allergic to eggs or following a vegan lifestyle. In that case, you can substitute the egg with a “flax egg” (mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water, let it sit for 5 minutes before using), mashed bananas, or applesauce.
- Sugar: You can replace sugar with honey, agave, or a sugar substitute to cater to your dietary needs.
Final Thoughts
As you sit down to savor the result of your hard work with loved ones, remember that the secret ingredient in your Boston Market Meatloaf isn’t a surprising spice or an exotic herb – it’s your dedication and love for preparing a wholesome, hearty, and delicious meal.
More Meat Recipes:
- PF Chang’s Sweet and Sour Chicken
- Dave’s Hot Chicken Ingredients
- Joy Behar Lasagna Recipe
- Texas Roadhouse Beef Tips
- Best Chicken Tocino Recipe
- Beef Pad Thai
