Instant Pot Meatloaf Recipe

Instant Pot meatloaf? Yes, you read that right. We didn't even really believe it ourselves, but once again, the Instant Pot is proving that it's the jack of all trades in the kitchen. It's pretty crazy to think you can cook a whole meatloaf in the kitchen device, but it's really easy and incredibly tasty. Recipe developer and private practice registered dietician Kristen Carli loves using her Instant Pot for a variety of different recipes, and this one is no exception. "I love any opportunity to use my Instant Pot. Set it and forget it," Carli raves. "The Instant Pot will cook the meat thoroughly and quickly."

This dish is the perfect comfort food for a family meal, and it would also be great to serve for dinner with friends. If you want, you can pair it with homemade or store-bought gravy as a topper. The Kitchn noted that the dish dates back centuries, and it was initially created as a filling meal that was affordable. Now, it's one of the most delicious and comforting meals you can make. Talk about things coming full circle! Keep reading to find out how to make this delicious Instant Pot meatloaf.

Let's start by gathering all of the necessary items to throw this dish together. For starters, you will need ground beef and whole milk. You can find this in the refrigerated section at the store. You will also need breadcrumbs, an egg, and some ketchup — all of which are standard in most meatloaf recipes. Check your spice cabinet to see if you have garlic powder and onion powder. If you don't, add it to your shopping list, and head over to the spice aisle. 

There are only a few more items that you will need! One of them is Worcestershire sauce, and the remaining two are salt and pepper. Now, it's time to begin to prepare this delicious recipe.

Take out a large bowl, and get ready to put together the meatloaf. You will need to add in the beef, milk, and breadcrumbs first. Next, add in the egg, ¼ cup of ketchup, the onion, and garlic powder. The remaining items include Worcestershire and salt and pepper. Using a wooden spoon, mix everything together well. Since ground beef is pretty easy to work with, a wooden spoon does the trick to mix all of the ingredients together. Alternatively, if you have some gloves, you could mix the meatloaf by hand.

Now it's time to show off your sculpting skills. We're not going to lie — this is our favorite step. Use your hands to form the meat into a loaf shape. Then, take out the Instant Pot, and get it ready for business. Open the lid, and pour in 2 cups of water. Then, place the trivet in the Instant Pot, above the water.

Grab a large piece of foil, and make a shelf for your meatloaf to rest on. Then, place the meatloaf into the foil. Lift the foil-covered meatloaf into the Instant Pot, and place it directly on the trivet. "The foil creates a little bowl to hold the meatloaf in above the trivet," Carli notes. "This allows the meat to be steamed from all sides — even beneath." 

Now that you have loaded the meat into the Instant Pot, it's literally time to get cooking. Cover it with the lid, and set the valve to the sealing setting. Pressure cook the meatloaf on high for 30 minutes. Then, allow the Instant Pot to release naturally.

Grab a small bowl, and add the remaining ingredients. These include the ketchup and 3 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce. Use a spoon to mix them together. Then, brush the top of the meatloaf with the mix, and get ready to pop it in the oven.

Now that you've brushed your meatloaf, carefully transfer it to a baking sheet, and pop it in the oven. Turn the setting to Broil on high, and set your timer for five minutes. Once your timer goes off, take it out of the oven, and get ready to enjoy it! It is filling enough of its own, but there are also plenty of sides to pair it with. "I love this served with a green vegetable or a big fresh salad, such as [an] apple and goat cheese salad," Carli shares. 

Have any leftovers? No worries! "This stores best in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days," Carli says. This is a great meal to enjoy for dinner, and it's sure to be a family staple.