I Tried the Reddit Trick for Making Meatloaf—It’s Genius

I’m never making meatloaf any other way.

I was never the biggest fan of meatloaf as a kid, and in recent years, I’ve figured out why: I didn’t like the way it was made—what was actually in the meatloaf and how it was formed and cooked.

This was, of course, until I learned a few tricks of the trade that made meatloaf way more delicious, like adding in shallots and Worcestershire sauce or cooking the meatloaf to just the right temperature so the entire thing doesn’t dry out.

However, when it comes to actually forming the meatloaf, I haven’t been able to properly nail the right size. Typically, I form it into a meat mound that resembles bread and place it in an oval baking dish. Recently I discovered a trick on Reddit that has completely changed my perspective on how to form a meatloaf, and I admit, it’s a trick that I’ll likely be using here on out.

On an ALDI Reddit thread, one clever foodie made a note about how they typically mold their meatloaf. When you buy a container of ground meat, use that same plastic mold to shape the meatloaf to the perfect size. Genius!

Genius Trick for Shaping Meatloaf

Here’s how it works: Remove the ground meat into a large bowl. My meatloaf recipe consists of a meatloaf mix (ground beef, pork, and veal), eggs, breadcrumbs, shallots, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, grated Parmesan (or Pecorino Romano), chopped fresh parsley, granulated garlic, and salt and pepper.

Mix all of the ingredients with clean hands, then transfer the meatloaf mixture back into that plastic container. Gently pat the meat down to fit the mold of the container, then flip it over into a clean baking dish.

I can say with confidence that this trick works surprisingly well. Not only did it make it easy to shape and transfer the meatloaf to the baking dish, but the form held up nicely in the oven. The meatloaf came out in a perfect square shape and made it easier to cut even slices to serve.

2 Tips for Trying This Smart Reddit Trick

1. The plastic container is usually bigger than the meat in them. Typically, they come with one pound of ground beef, but I think it was the perfect mold for 2 to 2.5 pounds of meat—for about six servings. So if you plan on making a meatloaf for that number of people (or want to prepare a big meatloaf for meatloaf sandwiches or patty melts all week—yum!), then I suggest buying two containers and using one to form your loaf.
2. This meatloaf is on the bigger side, so I would bake it at 350°F for about one hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Keep in mind that meatloaf will continue to cook after it comes out of the oven, so take it out when the internal temperature hits about 145°F. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes and serve it with your favorite sides, like roasted green beans with almonds and thyme!