Hidden Veggie Meatloaf
Classic meatloaf with pureed carrots and peas blended in, making it nutritious and undetectable for picky eaters. This american-inspired kid friendly ready in about 65 minutes pairs ground beef, medium, boiled and mashed potato, medium, steamed and blended carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium, boiled and mashed potato
- 1 medium, steamed and blended carrot
- 1/4 cup frozen, steamed and blended peas
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- pinch salt
- pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 cup mashed potato, 1/2 cup pureed carrot, 1/2 cup pureed peas, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Mix gently with a spoon until just combined.
- Step 2: Transfer the mixture to a greased loaf pan and shape into a 8x4-inch loaf, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Step 3: Bake for 35 minutes, then spread 1/2 cup ketchup evenly over the top.
- Step 4: Return to oven and bake for 10 more minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F and the ketchup is bubbly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hidden Veggie Meatloaf take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Hidden Veggie Meatloaf?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hidden Veggie Meatloaf?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Hidden Veggie Meatloaf for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Hidden Veggie Meatloaf?
American kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 45-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
