Diner Meatloaf and Meatballs Mixture

Transform your dinner table with this versatile and flavorful Diner Meatloaf and Meatballs Mixture, a classic comfort food recipe perfect for weeknight meals or a nostalgic family feast. Combining the richness of ground beef and pork with a medley of pantry staples like breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, and dried thyme, this all-in-one mixture delivers unmatched tenderness and hearty flavor. The recipe is effortlessly adaptable—shape it into a savory meatloaf crowned with a glossy ketchup glaze or roll it into oven-baked or skillet-fried meatballs ideal for pasta night. With just 20 minutes of prep time, this dish brings convenience and homemade charm, offering endless serving possibilities from creamy mashed potatoes to marinara-drizzled spaghetti. Whether you're satisfying a craving for diner-inspired classics or meal prepping for the week, this recipe is your go-to for wholesome, customizable comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds Ground beef (80% lean)
• 0.5 pounds Ground pork
• 1 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cups Milk (preferably whole milk)
• 2 units Large eggs
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 units Garlic cloves, minced
• 0.25 cups Parsley, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons Ketchup
• 1.5 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoons Black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoons Dried thyme

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, add the breadcrumbs and milk. Stir gently to combine and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes. This will create a wet paste that ensures the meat mixture stays moist.

Step 2

Add the ground beef, ground pork, eggs, diced onion, minced garlic, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme into the bowl with the breadcrumb-milk mixture.

Step 3

Using your hands or a wooden spoon, mix everything together until thoroughly combined. Avoid over-mixing to ensure the final dish remains tender.

Step 4

At this stage, the mixture can be divided into portions for meatloaf or meatballs. For a classic meatloaf, shape the entire mixture into a loaf and place it in a lightly greased loaf pan or shape it freeform on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 5

If making meatballs, use a spoon or small scoop to portion the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls, rolling them lightly between your hands to create an even shape.

Step 6

For meatloaf: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the loaf in the oven and bake for 55-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). For extra flavor, brush the top of the meatloaf with additional ketchup or a glaze of your choice halfway through baking.

Step 7

For meatballs: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown. Alternatively, fry the meatballs in a skillet with a bit of oil over medium heat, turning them to brown all sides evenly.

Step 8

Serve hot with your favorite sides such as mashed potatoes, green beans, or pasta with marinara sauce. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1527.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3183.1

Total Fat 206.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 78.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 1057.8mg	0%
Sodium 6595.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 126.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.4g	0%
Total Sugars 29.3g
Protein 208.3g	0%

Vitamin D 184.1IU	0%
Calcium 651.5mg	0%
Iron 31.3mg	0%
Potassium 3047.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 58.1%

Protein: 26.1%

Carbs: 15.8%