How much meatloaf should you make per person? This is a common question for home cooks when planning meals and determining ingredient amounts. The answer depends on several factors, including the size of the meatloaf, side dishes being served, appetites of the diners, and whether it’s a main course or an appetizer portion. Quick answer – For a main course portion, plan on 3/4 to 1 pound of raw meatloaf mix per person. Read on for more details and tips for calculating meatloaf servings.
Factors That Determine Meatloaf Portion Size
Main Course vs Appetizer
First, consider whether you’re serving meatloaf as a main entree or as an appetizer. For a main course, plan on a larger portion of around 3/4 to 1 pound per person. For a meatloaf appetizer, such as mini meatloaves, plan on 2-4 ounces of meatloaf per person.
Meatloaf Ingredients and Density
The ingredients used in the meatloaf also affect its density and cooked size. Meatloaf made mostly with ground beef or veal will be denser and smaller than loaves made with breadcrumbs, eggs, and other binders and fillers. For example, an all-beef meatloaf will shrink more during cooking than one made with a light mix of half beef and half breadcrumbs or vegetables.
Meatloaf Shape and Dimensions
The shape and size of the loaf pan also determines how much meatloaf you can make. Standard loaf pans are 8.5 x 4.5 inches. Larger pans or miniature loaf pans will change the quantity you can make. In general, you can fit 1 pound of raw meatloaf mix into a standard loaf pan.
Side Dishes Being Served
Consider the rest of your menu when deciding on meatloaf portions. If serving with lighter sides like a salad, go for a full 1 pound portion. If serving with multiple hearty sides like mashed potatoes and roasted veggies, you may be able to go slightly smaller, around 3/4 pound.
Appetites of Your Diners
Finally, think about who will be eating the meatloaf and their typical appetites. Bigger or younger eaters may want larger portions closer to 1 pound. Older adults or those with smaller appetites can be satisfied with a bit less.
How Many Pounds of Meatloaf for X People?
Here is a simple chart with recommended pounds of uncooked meatloaf per person for main course servings:
| Number of People | Pounds of Meatloaf |
|---|---|
| 2 people | 1.5 to 2 pounds |
| 4 people | 3 to 4 pounds |
| 6 people | 4.5 to 6 pounds |
| 8 people | 6 to 8 pounds |
| 10 people | 7.5 to 10 pounds |
To customize for your needs, use 3/4 to 1 pound per person as a general guideline. So for 8 people, start with 6 pounds of meat and adjust up or down as desired.
Tips for Calculating Meatloaf Servings
Here are some additional pointers for figuring out meatloaf portions:
Consider leftovers –
It’s easy to slice and reheat meatloaf, so make extra if you want leftovers for lunches or another meal.
Underestimate for first-timers –
If you’re new to meatloaf, start on the lower end of 3/4 pound per person until you know the results.
Weigh it out for accuracy –
Use a kitchen scale to weigh portions rather than eyeballing it for the most accuracy.
Pan size matters –
Make sure your loaf pan(s) can fit the total amount of raw meatloaf you’re mixing up.
Cook it safely –
Use an instant read thermometer to ensure the meatloaf reaches safe internal temperatures.
Check for doneness –
Cut into the center to check that it’s cooked through without any pink spots.
Account for shrinkage –
Meatloaf shrinks around 25% during cooking so make it slightly larger than you think you need.
Sample Meatloaf Recipes
To give you an idea of quantities, here are some sample meatloaf recipes for different numbers of servings:
For 4 servings:
Ingredients:
– 1.5 pounds ground beef
– 1 cup breadcrumbs
– 1 egg
– 1/4 cup ketchup
– 1 small onion, diced
– 1 clove garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients until just combined.
2. Pack into a standard loaf pan.
3. Bake for 1 hour until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
4. Allow to rest 10 minutes before slicing.
For 8 servings:
Ingredients:
– 3 pounds ground beef
– 2 cups breadcrumbs
– 3 eggs
– 1/2 cup ketchup
– 1 onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 teaspoons salt
– 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients until just combined.
2. Divide evenly between 2 standard loaf pans.
3. Bake for 1 hour until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
4. Allow to rest 10 minutes before slicing.
For 12 servings:
Ingredients:
– 4.5 pounds ground beef
– 3 cups breadcrumbs
– 4 eggs
– 3/4 cup ketchup
– 1 large onion, diced
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon salt
– 3/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients until just combined.
2. Divide evenly between 3 standard loaf pans.
3. Bake for 1 hour until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
4. Allow to rest 10 minutes before slicing.
Conclusion
Figuring out meatloaf portions comes down to basic math of around 3/4 to 1 pound per person for main course servings. Adjust the quantity up or down based on your menu, diners, pan size, and recipe. Weighing ingredients and using thermometers ensures an accurately sized and properly cooked meatloaf. With the guidelines above, you should be able to easily determine how many pounds of meatloaf to make for any gathering.