Instant Pot Meatloaf is a complete meal in just one pot!
A flavorful ground beef meatloaf is cooked on a bed of potatoes in the instant pot for a full meal! You’ll love how easy it is and your family will rave over the flavor!
No-Fail Instant Pot Meal
Homemade Meatloaf is a classic dinner recipe for good reason! It’s delicious, easy to make and it reheats well (and even makes for great patty melts).
The great news is that this meal also cooks easily in the Instant Pot! Because it is cooked under pressure, this meatloaf comes out nice and flavorful while the potatoes cook right along with it.
A full meal in just one pot.
Ingredients/Variations
BEEF This recipe is the perfect combination of ingredients for a tender juicy meatloaf.
I use ground beef but a combination of beef and pork (or even veal) will work just fine in this recipe. Use lean ground beef (80/20) as you need a little bit of fat for flavor and moisture.
SEASONINGS I add onion to the mixture but if you’d like, add some chopped up veggies (green bell pepper is delicious in this). Swap out the spices for your favorites like chili powder or even taco seasoning!
TOPPING Hands down my favorite part! Ketchup and chili sauce is the perfect tangy topping. Chili sauce is not spicy, it’s like extra zesty ketchup and so good!
If you prefer a brown sugar topping, combine 1/2 cup ketchup, 3 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 tablespoon cider vinegar.
POTATOES potatoes make the perfect side for this meatloaf. Baby potatoes are the best choice as they don’t get mushy and can just be tossed in whole.
If using whole potatoes just be sure to cut them into large pieces so they don’t overcook and fall apart (or cut them smaller and make mashed potatoes right in the Instant Pot).
How to Make Instant Pot Meatloaf
When it comes to making meatloaf in the Instant Pot it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3! I use this Instant Pot here to make this recipe.
1. Place the baby potatoes and broth on the bottom of the Instant Pot.
2. Prepare the meatloaf and place it on a piece of aluminum foil in the Instant Pot right on top of the potatoes (per recipe below).
3. Cook on high. Once cooked, remove from the Instant Pot, brush with topping and broil!
Let meatloaf rest before slicing (this seals in the juices), and serve with potatoes and steamed broccoli.
Tips for Success
Preparing meatloaf is a simple enough task but there are still a few tips that will help you make the perfect meatloaf every time!
- This recipe has only been tested in a 6qt Instant Pot. If your Instant Pot is a different size, cooking instructions may vary.
- If skipping the potatoes make sure to place the meatloaf on a trivet and add the broth or some water to make pressure.
- To prevent dry spots in the meatloaf, make sure all ingredients are mixed together well.
- Once cooked, add the topping and broil the meatloaf. This step is optional but it helps to caramelize the topping!
- Before slicing, be sure to let it sit for at least 10 minutes to prevent the slices from crumbling or falling apart before serving.
Serve It With…
Everything goes with meatloaf! But as an entrée, here are some sides, salads, and bread you are sure to love!
- SIDES: Serve with a side of roasted vegetables, glazed carrots, or sauteed green beans.
- SALADS: Try this classic wedge, a quick tossed salad, or crunchy cucumber tomato salad.
- BREAD: Perfectly paired with homemade garlic bread or easy cheesy rolls.
Leftovers?
Leftover meatloaf is great to freeze or store in the refrigerator!
- Refrigerate: Keep meatloaf in an airtight container if you are keeping it in the refrigerator. It should last about 5 days.
- Freeze: Place it whole or in portions in a zippered bag or an airtight container and label with the date on it. Frozen meatloaf should keep about six weeks in the freezer.
- Reheat: Thaw and reheat easily in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes or in the microwave.
Nothing is better than next-day meatloaf sandwiches! Reheat a slab of leftover meatloaf and pop it between two slices of bread with some mayo, mustard, some onion, and lettuce and you’ve got a hearty and delicious lunch!
Easy Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Spaghetti – ready in 30 mins
- Instant Pot Chili – busy weeknight meal
- Instant Pot Lentil Soup – hearty soup
- Instant Pot Ribs – fall-off-the-bone tender
- Instant Pot Salisbury Steak – quick & delicious
- Instant Pot Pot Roast – belly-warming meal
- Instant Pot Risotto Carbonara – so creamy
Loved your Instant Pot Meatloaf? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Instant Pot Meatloaf
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds baby potatoes
- ½ onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- ⅔ cup chicken broth
Meatloaf
- ½ onion finely diced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- ¾ cup seasoned bread crumbs
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 eggs
Topping
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons chili sauce
Instructions
- Place the baby potatoes, chopped onion, garlic, and broth in the bottom of a 6QT Instant-Pot.
- Cook diced onion (for the meatloaf) in butter until tender, about 5 minutes. Cool completely.
- Combine all meatloaf ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Form into a loaf and place on a piece of foil. Fold the edges of the foil to make a "pan" for the meatloaf. Place the meatloaf on the trivet and add to the Instant Pot.
- Select manual and cook on high pressure 28 minutes. Allow to naturally release for 10 minutes.
- Remove any remaining pressure. Open the lid and ensure the meatloaf has reached 165°F. Remove meatloaf to a cutting board.
- Combine topping ingredients and brush over meatloaf. (Optional: Place under the broiler 3-4 minutes)
- Rest 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with potatoes.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Beef, Main Course
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
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I have made this recipe many times in the oven. Always one of our favorites. My question is can I cook it in the instant pot and for how long has anybody tried it.
Hi Joan, you’ll find a recipe for Instant Pot Meatloaf here!
Relatively straightforward recipe that turned out well with perfectly cooked meatloaf and baby potatoes. My only thought would be the whole dish is relatively bland – would love to hear how others spiced it up to make a more flavorful dish.
Do you still use the trivet if you are using whole baby potatoes?
The recipe suggests to use the trivet if you don’t use potatoes. Enjoy Debbie!
Thank you, making it tonight
Well I haven’t tasted it yet, because it’s not done…..BECAUSE my burn has come on not once, but twice
Oh no Sandy! Are you using a 6 quart Instant Pot? Did you add the broth at the bottom? If you did, you may want to increase it by about 1/2 cup and see if that works for you.
And if you go with 1 pound
1/2 the ingredients in the meatloaf
Not the broth and potatoes
That was a reply about using 1 pound
And still cooking for the time in the recipe.
Once the timer starts I set my timer with the additional cool time recommended.
Then letting the pressure out.
I did….
And I forgot to turn off keep warm !!!
Still came out juicy……..
Very simple recipe, and flexible .was able to use the one pot for sautéing the onions and garlic then splitting them between the potatoes and the meatloaf then glazing the cooked meatloaf for 5min using the one pot to broil the meatloaf afterwords to brown and sear the flavor in. ( the new one pots with air fry are sooo useful ) like the idea of the foil it kept the grease out of the potatoes and was able to empty the grease into the trashcan.
I have one pound left of beef
Should I still pressure cook 28 minutes?
Sorry I meant one pound of beef
I haven’t tried this with just one lb but it might need a little bit less time (25 min?). Let us know how it goes!
Mine didn’t turn out!! I did everything to a “T!” My Instapot signaled “burn” I used the little potatoes. I had to take my meatloaf out and add more chicken broth. I let the meatloaf cook the rest of the way. When everything was done I cut open the center and it still had a nice amount of pink. So frustrated!! I finished cooking it in the oven.
That’s so disappointing!! Did you take the temperature of the meat from the IP?
Curious if anyone has halved the recipe for a mini (3 qt). New to IP and wonder if cook time would br the same for a halved recipe?
I made this today and was absolutely excited about the incredible taste and texture. I wish I had taken a photo. The baby potatoes were awesome. Thanks, Holly, once again, for a great recipe that I plan to make again and again!!!
I’m so glad you loved it Dwight! If you have Instagram, you can tag us over there (@spendpennies) so we can see!
The meatloaf was amazing!! Potatoes burnt will try with more liquid next time
What about how much meat 2lb or 3lb
This recipe uses 2lbs (3rd ingredient under the meatloaf heading). Enjoy!
Holly do you have a recipe for stuff cabbage roll casserole in the instant pot. It’s with. Coleslaw mix instead of cabbage. I lost mine
Hi Yvonne, we don’t have an Instant Pot version but we do have a crockpot cabbage roll casserole if that helps.
I don’t have an Instant Pot. Can the meatloaf recipe be cooked in the crookpot or baked in the oven?
Lynda Foskett
Yes, it can be oven-baked, you can find meatloaf baking directions here.