Whole30 Meatloaf Recipe (without breadcrumbs) (2024)

This Whole30 Meatloaf Recipe without breadcrumbs is a comforting and easy weeknight dinner!

All you have to do is mix together the ingredients, smoosh them into a loaf pan, spread on the easiest homemade ketchup and bake.

Plus this recipe is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, low carb, keto and Paleo friendly.

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Why this recipe works

A classic, easy meatloaf without breadcrumbs or dairy? It is possible!

And no bread crumbs for meatloaf means you get all the savory, meaty flavors of the traditional version but without the gluten or grains.

Instead, we’ll use eggs and almond flour. While almond flour is very different than regular flour or breadcrumbs, it combines with the eggs to bind the meatloaf together without adding any weird flavors or textures.

Plus a simple, sugar-free, 4-ingredient ketchup adds flavor and moisture.

Whole30 meatloaf is proof that “healthy comfort food” isn’t a contradiction in terms – you truly can have both!

(I love meatloaf so much I even recommended it in this roundup of ground beef recipe ideas.)

What you need for this Whole30 Meatloaf without breadcrumbs

Ingredients:

• ground beef (preferably 90-93%)
• ground pork
• shallots
• eggs
• blanched almond flour
• tomato paste
• apple cider vinegar
• coconut aminos (for Whole30) or Worcestershire sauce (not pictured above)
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• dried thyme
• dried parsley
• fine sea salt
• ground black pepper
• cooking fat like avocado oil or ghee

Equipment:

• a 9×5″ loaf pan
• large, medium and small mixing bowls
• acutting board
• achef’s knife
• a small skillet
• measuring spoons(these are my favorite because they actually fit into spice jars!)
• measuring cups
• oven probe thermometer or instant read thermometer (optional but helpful)

How to make meatloaf without breadcrumbs

First, head the oven to 350°.

Heat the cooking fat in the small skillet over medium heat.

Peel and dice the shallot. Add to the warm oil with a pinch of salt. Sauté the shallot, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Take off the heat, pour into a small mixing bowl and let cool.

In a medium bowl, mix together the tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. This is the ketchup to be mixed into the meatloaf and spread on top.

In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, pork, eggs, almond flour, cooled shallots, coconut aminos or Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried parsley, 1.5 teaspoon of salt, 1 3/4 teaspoons black pepper and three tablespoons of the ketchup. I use my hands for this but you could also use a spatula or even the paddle attachment on your stand mixer.

Pour this mixture into the loaf pan and use your hands or spatula to spread out the top into an even layer.

Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and evenly spread the rest of the ketchup over the top in a thin layer. Place back in the oven.

Bake for another 15-20 minutes, until it reaches 160º. I use an oven probe thermometer so I don’t have to guess but if you don’t have one (or an instant read thermometer), aim for 50 minutes.

Let the meatloaf cool for 10 minutes.

The meatloaf will have released a lot of liquid/grease. So you can either:

• carefully lift the meatloaf out of the pan onto a cutting board or serving platter
• carefully tip the loaf pan so a corner is over a small bowl to drain the fat; maybe hold the pan with one hand and use a fork to keep the loaf in place so it doesn’t fall out

FAQ

Can I make substitutions?

• You can use other ground proteins besides beef and pork. Just try to stick with a 50/50 mix of lean and fatty so it’s not too dry and not too greasy.
• You can use 4 peeled and minced garlic cloves instead of garlic powder. Sauté the garlic with the shallots.
• Feel free to add savory spices such as paprika or cumin.
• You can also add other dried herbs like sage, rosemary, oregano or Italian seasoning.

What do I serve with this Whole30 meatloaf?

The classic pairings with meatloaf are usually mashed potatoes and a green vegetable like green beans or broccoli.

So I highly recommend my Whole30 mashed potatoes and balsamic roasted green beans and Brussels sprouts.

You could also try buttery mashed parsnips instead of potatoes.

Braised red cabbage would also be a great veggie side.

And this broccoli bacon salad would also be another great old-fashioned side.

These bacon ranch crispy smashed potatoes would also be a fun addition to dinner.

Plus all of the above suggestions are also Whole30!

How do I store leftovers?

Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.

To freeze, wrap any unsliced loaf or individual slices in plastic wrap and freeze in an air-tight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Leftovers can be quickly microwaved or reheated in a low oven.

Is this also a low carb meatloaf recipe?

Yep! Each serving has only 7 grams of carbs so it’s low carb.

Is this also a keto meatloaf recipe?

Yes. It has 5 grams of net carbs plus 34 grams of protein and 28 grams of fat per serving, so it’s also keto.

Other recipes you might like:

1. The Best Whole30 Ground Beef Recipes
2. Whole30 Shepherd’s Pie
3. 3 Easy Paleo Meatballs
4. Lamb Ragú
5. Ground Chicken Tacos

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