Hearty, comforting, and oh-so-flavorful, this cheeseburger meatloaf mashup is a match made in heaven! From ketchup and mustard to cheddar cheese and pickles, it has all the classic burger flavors you love!
This cheeseburger meatloaf recipe is exactly what you need when you're craving a juicy cheeseburger, but don't feel like forming patties and standing over the grill.
Meatloaf is one of my all-time favorite dinners to make for my family because it's filling, satisfying, and makes for great leftovers. Plus, the flavor combinations are endless!
When we're not in the mood for cheeseburger flavors, we go for my insanely popular Mexican taco meatloaf or my tried-and-true mini turkey meatloaves with BBQ sauce. Either way, you can't go wrong!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy - Simple ingredients and minimal prep work. It doesn't get better than that!
- Flavor - Lean ground turkey flavored with all your favorite burger condiments and covered in melty cheese.
- Texture - No dried-out meatloaf here! Each and every bite is juicy, moist, and tender.
- Budget-friendly - Ingredients like ground meat, breadcrumbs, and eggs make it easy to stretch your budget.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground turkey - Use 85-93% lean ground turkey, not fat-free, or 98-99% fat-free. We need a little fat for flavor and moisture! Ground turkey might sound like an odd choice for a cheeseburger meatloaf recipe, but I love it for its lighter, less greasy qualities.
- Ketchup - Adds a little bit of sweetness to the meatloaf mixture and is also used as a sauce for the top.
- Onion - Use either white or yellow onion. I like to grate the onion using the large holes of a standing box grater. This allows for an oniony flavor throughout the meatloaf.
- Panko bread crumbs - Gives the meatloaf structure. Unseasoned breadcrumbs are best.
- Yellow mustard - Gives the sauce tangy, zesty flavors.
- Bread and butter pickles - I love the sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy taste of bread and butter pickles. But, if you love dill or extra spicy pickles, feel free to use those instead!
- Cheddar cheese - Shredding fresh cheese is preferable because it will melt more easily compared to pre-shredded options.
Equipment needed
This recipe for cheeseburger meatloaf requires a small sheet pan or loaf pan. Personally, I prefer to make meatloaf on a sheet pan because it's easier to slice.
How to Make a Cheeseburger Meatloaf
Recipe Rundown
- Add the meatloaf ingredients to a bowl and mix.
- Make the cheeseburger sauce.
- Form the meatloaf mixture into a loaf and bake.
- Top the baked meatloaf with sauce, pickles, and cheese.
- Return to oven to melt the cheese, then serve, and enjoy!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the ground turkey, panko bread crumbs, eggs, onion, Worcestershire sauce, ¼ cup ketchup, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Mix the meatloaf ingredients together until well combined.
Step 3: Transfer the meatloaf mixture to a baking sheet and form it into a loaf. The formed loaf should be about 1 ½ inches thick.
Step 4: Bake the meatloaf for 50-55 minutes at 350°F, or until the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F.
Step 5: Meanwhile, make the cheeseburger meatloaf sauce. Combine the remaining ketchup and yellow mustard in a small bowl and set it aside.
Step 6: Once the meatloaf has cooked through, remove it from the oven and top it with the mustard and ketchup mixture, diced pickles, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Step 7: Place the meatloaf back into the oven and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, just long enough to melt the cheese.
Step 8: Let the cooked meatloaf rest for about 10 minutes before cutting it into slices. Then serve and enjoy!
Make-Ahead Instructions
- Prepare the cheeseburger meatloaf mixture.
- Transfer the mixture to a small baking sheet (that will fit in your fridge) and form it into a loaf.
- Wrap the formed meatloaf tightly in plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.
- Transfer it to the refrigerator and store it for up to 24 hours.
- When you're ready to bake it, allow the meatloaf to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes, then continue with the recipe as instructed.
Expert Tips
- Don't overmix. When combining your meatloaf ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can result in a dense and tough texture.
- Let your meatloaf cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing it. If you slice it immediately after removing it from the oven, it will probably crumble apart. This is similar to how baked goods like cookies or brownies need to cool before serving.
- Use a meat thermometer. A meat thermometer is the best way to determine if your meatloaf has cooked through. Overcooked meatloaf will get hard and crusty on the outside, and you obviously don't want it undercooked, either!
Serving Suggestions
Create a balanced plate by adding a starchy side dish and fresh vegetables. Here are some of my favorite starch and veggie combinations:
Recipe Variations
- Add bacon - If you're a bacon cheeseburger lover, sprinkle chopped pieces of cooked bacon over the pickles before adding the cheese.
- Use different cheese - Cheddar provides rich, cheesy flavors, but you could also try slices of American cheese or pepperjack cheese for a spicy kick!
- Burger sauce - Burger sauce is usually a combination of ketchup, mustard, mayo, and spices. Drizzle it over the finished meatloaf or use it in place of the ketchup/mustard sauce.
- Serve it over salad - You'll get all the cheeseburger flavors if you serve a slice of cheeseburger meatloaf over a fresh salad loaded with iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, and onions.
Storage Tips
- How to store: Store leftovers in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. They're fantastic for lunch!
- How to reheat: Reheat leftovers in the microwave for a few minutes at a time until you reach your desired warmth.
- How to freeze: If you plan on freezing this cheeseburger meatloaf recipe, then I would freeze it before you add the sauce, pickles, and cheese. Fully cook the meatloaf, let it cool, wrap it well with plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your meatloaf is falling apart, you probably don't have enough binding ingredients, such as eggs and breadcrumbs. It's also important to allow the meatloaf to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing it.
It's not necessary to cover meatloaf with foil or a lid while baking because it gets cooked at a low temperature. It also contains ingredients that are meant to add moisture and prevent it from drying out.
More Recipes You'll Enjoy
Cheeseburger Meatloaf with Pickles
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground turkey
- ½ cup ketchup divided
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup white onion grated
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs plain
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- ¼ cup yellow mustard
- 1 cup bread & butter pickles diced
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add the ground turkey, ¼ cup ketchup, eggs, grated onion, Worcestershire sauce, panko bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to a large mixing bowl. Mix until just combined.
- In a separate, small bowl, combine the remaining ¼ cup ketchup and yellow mustard.
- Transfer the meatloaf mixture to the rimmed baking sheet. Form the mixture into a rectangular loaf shape, about 6" x 9" and 1 ½ inches thick. Bake the meatloaf for 50-55 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the meatloaf reads at least 165°F.
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and top it with the ketchup and mustard sauce, diced pickles, and shredded cheddar cheese. Spread the sauce, pickles, and cheese evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
- Return the meatloaf to the oven and continue cooking the meatloaf for another 3-5 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
- Remove the cheeseburger meatloaf from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. Slice the meatloaf into 8 equally sized slices, serve, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
- Store leftovers in a sealed, airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. They're fantastic for lunch!
- Ground turkey should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
- The nutrition information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice.
Ciel says
We loved this, extremely flavorful! We will definitely be making this again. Thanks Katie!
Tyanne says
I love that this recipe has pickles! It is a nice touch.
Marcellina says
My family loved this! It's the perfect mid week meal - healthy and tasty. Everyone loved the topping! Thanks for sharing!
Maya says
This is such an original idea! And so much easier than making burgers for a whole crowd! love it!
Gloria says
All the great flavours in a loaf form. I know this would be hit at dinner any night of the week. Not your average meatloaf.