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Home » Recipes » Dinner

Easy Healthy Meatloaf with 1 Pound of Ground Beef

Published: Feb 12, 2024 · Modified: Jul 3, 2024 by Megan

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You're going to love this Healthy Meatloaf with 1 pound of Ground Beef!! It's the perfect answer to a tasty home-cooked meatloaf for smaller families or anyone who wants smaller servings. It's perfectly seasoned and cooks up moist and tender.

A meatloaf made with one pound of beef on a white platter and surrounded by potatoes and broccoli.

When it comes to creating healthy family dinners, meatloaf is a guaranteed favorite. It's simply one of those quintessential American meals! My turkey meatloaf and ground chicken meatloaf recipes are one of my most popular recipes and now we have another one to add to the mix!

Now with this best 1lb meatloaf recipe, you can cook up meatloaf for a small family meal. Lean ground beef is a great option as it's budget-friendly, lower in fat, but still has plenty of flavor and moisture. Looking for more ground recipes? Try my cabbage roll casserole or my ground beef lettuce wraps.

Jump to:
  • Why I Love This Easy Healthy Meatloaf Recipe
  • Ingredients You Need
  • Variations for Meatloaf 1 Lb Recipe
  • How to Make Meatloaf With One Pound of Ground Beef
  • How to Store
  • How to Serve Healthy Meatloaf
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Healthy Main Dish Recipes
  • Easy Healthy Meatloaf with 1-Lb Ground Beef

Why I Love This Easy Healthy Meatloaf Recipe

  • Meatloaf Recipe 1 Pound of Ground Beef: Just one package of beef and a handful of pantry staples is all you need.
  • Budget-Friendly: Buying just one package of beef is easier on your wallet and the simple flavors added are inexpensive or ingredients you already have in your kitchen.
  • Healthy Meatloaf That Delivers Great Flavor: There are no shortcuts here and we're layering in plenty of flavor with fresh onions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and low-sugar ketchup.
  • Family-Favorite: This one pound meatloaf recipe is one that both kids and adults will love and is perfect for making just four servings of meatloaf.

Ingredients You Need

Here's a look at the simple ingredients you need to make this 1-lb beef meatloaf recipe! Be sure to check the recipe card further down the page for more details and quantities of each.

Ingredients needed to make a 1 lb meatloaf on the table before mixing.
  • Lean Ground Beef: With 20% fat it provides just enough fat to aid cooking for a delicious juicy meatloaf that's flavorful and not dried out. This is about a third of the fat of regular ground beef which contains about 30% fat. While you could lower the fat and calories with extra-lean ground beef, I don't recommend it as you are sacrificing the flavor of your meatloaf.
  • Breadcrumbs: Panko, Japanese breadcrumbs which are bigger than regular breadcrumbs work great, but you can really use either one with good results. They help absorb some of the fat and combine with the egg to hold your meatloaf together.
  • Ketchup: I prefer using low-sugar ketchup as it's simply added for tomato flavor and you don't need the extra sweetness. Another low-sugar alternative is tomato paste but may not have the same flavor outcome.
  • Aromatics: Diced onion and minced garlic improve the depth of flavor when making a healthier meatloaf.
  • Egg: Along with the breadcrumbs, it's the secret to meatloaf that doesn't fall apart.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a zing of savory flavor to your meatloaf. While you can also use soy sauce or coconut aminos, the flavor does change significantly.

Variations for Meatloaf 1 Lb Recipe

  • Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free. Do not leave them out as you may end up with a crumbly meatloaf.
  • Pork and Beef Meatloaf: If you want to mix things up with a little pork you can use a half pound of pork and a half pound of beef. Just note that ground pork is often much fattier than lean ground beef so the nutrition won't be the same.
  • Turkey and Beef Meatloaf: Use regular lean ground turkey (not turkey breast) and mix it with the beef meatloaf. This will yield better flavor than making turkey meatloaf on its own.
  • Sausage and Beef Meatloaf: Italian ground sausage can boost the flavor of your meatloaf but like the pork it may alter the nutrition as it contains more calories and fat.

How to Make Meatloaf With One Pound of Ground Beef

  1. Combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, 1/2 the ketchup, onion, egg, Worcestershire, garlic, thyme, pepper, and salt in a large bowl. Mix the ingredients together with your fingers.
  2. Place the meat mixture on your sheet pan or in a loaf pan. Shape the beef into the shape of a loaf.
Ingredients to make meatloaf recipe for 1 lb ground beef on the table before mixing.
Meatloaf placed into a lined loaf pan.
  1. Bake the meatloaf for 45 minutes. Remove it from the oven, brush the top with the remaining ketchup and sprinkle with the dried parsley. Bake another 10 minutes or until the center of the loaf reads 160 F with a thermometer. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Baked healthy meatloaf in the pan after baking.

How to Store

  • Storing: This 1-pound meatloaf is perfect to serve a small family with its four servings. If you happen to have leftovers store them in an airtight container for up to four days. You can also freeze it for up to three months in a freezer container.
  • Reheat: Reheat an individual portion on a plate in the microwave or wrap it in foil and heat in a 350° F oven for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.

How to Serve Healthy Meatloaf

Serve this recipe for a 1 pound meatloaf up with your best family side dishes! Here are a few of my favorites for enjoying with meatloaf.

  • Mashed Potatoes: If you love mashed potatoes with meatloaf try my healthy version for mashed potatoes and cauliflower or these mashed potato muffins. If you prefer it low-carb this mashed cauliflower with roasted garlic recipe works great!
  • More Potato Side Dishes: Try these air fryer sweet potato fries or sweet potato au gratin!
  • Salads: A healthy salad is always a simple add-on for meals. Try this healthy Olive Garden copycat salad or my Greek yogurt broccoli salad.
  • Vegetables: This cauliflower au gratin is always a family favorite or roasted winter vegetables.
Two slices of beef meatloaf on the table with the platter of meatloaf in the background.

Expert Tips

  • Use Lean Beef: This is the key to a lower-fat meatloaf with great flavor!
  • Make Sure to Line Your Pan: Adding foil or parchment paper to the pan will make cleanup so much easier.
  • Let It Rest: Allowing the meatloaf about ten minutes to sit before slicing allows it to soak up all the juices into the meat for a juicier meatloaf.

Recipe FAQs

What size pan do you need to make a 1-pound meatloaf?

You can use any size pan you have! We will be shaping the meatloaf into a rounded loaf so you can either use a flat baking sheet or a loaf pan. If you use a loaf pan note that it will not fill it up all the way and naturally form a loaf shape so make sure to shape it into a loaf shape. Do not press it into the loaf pan as it will be too thin and cook up dry.

Can I mix the meatloaf up ahead of time?

Sure you can mix the meat the night before and store it in the fridge until you're ready to cook it. You may need to cook a tiny bit longer since the beef is coming straight from the fridge. You can also let it sit on the counter to come up to room temperature before baking.

Slices of healthy meatloaf served up on a plate with vegetables and potatoes on the side.

More Healthy Main Dish Recipes

  • Korean beef bowl on the table with a fork resting on the side and small bowls of toppings around the bowl.
    Healthy Korean Beef Bowls
  • Healthy Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet is a simple low calorie dinner made with lean beef, macaroni, cheese and packed with the flavors of a cheeseburger while being lighter in calories.
    Healthy Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet
  • Healthy beef stroganoff in a bowl with a fork to the side.
    Low Calorie Beef Stroganoff
  • Healthy Crockpot Ragu is loaded with veggies and protein. A cozy meal that's incredibly hearty and delicious, gluten free, low calorie and Paleo friendly! Perfect for meal prepping ahead of time or for a weeknight meal that's virtually effortless. Gluten Free + Paleo + Whole30 + Low Calorie
    Healthy Crockpot Ragu

If you tried this healthy ground beef with 1 lb of ground beef or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below.

A 1-lb meatloaf sliced on a platter with vegetables.

Easy Healthy Meatloaf with 1-Lb Ground Beef

Megan Olson
You're going to love this Healthy Meatloaf with 1-Pound Ground Beef!! It's the perfect answer to a tasty home-cooked meatloaf for smaller families or anyone who wants smaller servings. It's perfectly seasoned and cooks up moist and tender.
4.80 from 5 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 52 minutes mins
Resting Time 10 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 261 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb. Lean Ground Beef
  • ¾ cup Panko or breadcrumbs GF if necessary
  • ½ cup Ketchup low sugar
  • ½ cup Onion diced
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp Garlic minced
  • Salt + Pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp Dried Parsley

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a large sheet pan with foil and parchment paper or a loaf pan.
  • Combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, 1/2 the ketchup, onion, egg, Worcestershire, garlic, parsley, pepper and salt in a large bowl. Mix the ingredients together with your fingers then place on the sheet pan or in a loaf pan. Shape the beef into the shape of a loaf.
  • Bake for 45 minutes then remove from the oven and brush the top with the remaining ketchup and dried parsley.
  • Bake another 10 minutes or until the center of the loaf reads 160 F with a thermometer. Remove from the oven, cool at room temperature for 10 minutes then slice and serve with veggies!

Notes

    • Use Lean Beef: This is the key to a lower fat meatloaf with great flavor!
    • Make Sure to Line Your Pan: Adding foil or parchment paper to the pan will make cleanup so much easier.
    • Let It Rest: Allowing the meatloaf about ten minutes to sit before slicing allows it to soak up all the juices into the meat for a juicier meatloaf.

Nutrition

Calories: 261kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 28gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 111mgSodium: 503mgPotassium: 597mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 227IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 59mgIron: 4mg
Tried this Recipe? Let me know!Let us know how it was!

About Megan

Megan is a certified nutrition practitioner, author, freelance food photographer and fitness instructor living in Phoenix, Arizona. On her blog, Skinny Fitalicious she shares EASY, gluten free recipes for weight loss. Follow Megan on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates.

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    4.80 from 5 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Michelle Herrera says

    February 18, 2025 at 6:10 pm

    Perfection! My husband is lactose intolerant so it was wonderful to make meatloaf without using milk.

    Reply
  2. Sarah says

    December 22, 2024 at 10:47 am

    Dense meatloaf and drier than I would like. I prefer a moist meatloaf. Delicious taste though!

    Reply
  3. Eleanor L smith says

    June 24, 2024 at 1:07 pm

    I did not see a measurement for thyme under ingredients but thyme was listed as one of the herbs to be added while combining everything. How much thyme should be used?

    Reply
    • Megan says

      June 24, 2024 at 2:39 pm

      There's no thyme used, just parsley which is listed in the recipe ingredients.

      Reply
      • Reesie says

        July 01, 2024 at 7:52 am

        I was confused also. Parsley in the ingredients but thyme in the directions.
        I am making this tonight so I’ll use parsley not thyme as you stated in your reply 🙂

        Reply
        • Megan says

          July 03, 2024 at 7:33 am

          I updated the directions. You may need to clear your browser.

          Reply

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Megan is a nutritionist, author of the Low Calorie Cookbook and podcast host of the Dish On Ditching Diets. Megan helps women over 35 stop dieting, heal their relationship with food and lose weight sustainably. Megan lost 80 pounds herself. Here you get healthy, lower calorie recipes!

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