Why meatloaf is making a comeback - News + Articles

Jun 05, 2024

Meatloaf is on a roll.

As the cooler weather settles in again, you may find yourself reaching for ol’ faithful recipes to achieve maximum cosiness and supreme comfort.

We’ve embraced the corned beef, love an osso buco, even brussels sprouts are cool again. But there’s one dish that has still got plenty of people sitting on the fence: meatloaf.

Culinary trends come and go with the speed of a gusty wind and old-fashioned, budget-friendly dishes will naturally dip in and out of fashion. Except, that is, for the meatloaf, which has quietly been minding its own business as pickled pork and brisket hobble their zimmer frames onto centre stage.

The meatloaf stands steadfast against the tides of change. Often maligned as mundane or uninspired, meatloaf deserves a hearty defence and we’re here to represent it in the court of cuisine.

At its core, meatloaf embodies the essence of home-cooked comfort food. “Mom’s meatloaf” has suffered the Dennis the Menace’s of the world, garnering a bad reputation as a bland, grey mess that’s served on Mondays because that’s meatloaf night.

However, we’d like to draw your attention to another dish of slow-cooked, seasoned mince often spiked with nuts or softly boiled eggs – served with a sweet condiment to create a salty, sweet, totally moreish mouthful. We’re talking, of course, about terrine. Remember? That fancy French rectangle of meat we’ve been paying $14 for at our favourite wine bar?

Or perhaps let’s think of the tender and crumbly meatballs we fight over when the pasta arrives at the table. Seasoned mince, caramelised then cooked low and slow in tomato sauce and worthy of sneaking off your neighbours plate.

All of these dishes are, in a sense, meatloaf. Size and technique – even serving temperature – may vary but the universality of a slow cooked serve of minced meat must count for something. Meatloaf doesn’t have a flavour problem, it’s got a PR problem.

Sunday dinners come flooding back when you sit down to a plate of meatloaf, bringing with them a sense of nostalgia that transcends the trends.

Critics may scoff at meatloaf’s humble origins, dismissing it as a relic of a bygone era. Yet, this enduring classic has stood the test of time for good reason. Its versatility knows no bounds, allowing for endless variations to suit every palate and dietary preference. From traditional beef and pork blends to inventive vegetarian and gluten-free adaptations, everyone is welcome at the meatloaf table.

Beyond its nostalgic appeal, meatloaf offers practicality and convenience in spades. With just a few (or as many) ingredients as you like and minimal prep time, anyone can whip up a satisfying meal that feeds a crowd without breaking the bank.

Leftovers? Even better. A slice of cold meat loaf on thickly buttered toast is one of life’s true pleasures and we will not be told otherwise. Raise your forks high and celebrate the enduring legacy of this daggy but totally delicious classic.

We rest our case.