Instant Pot Meatloaf

Instant Pot Meatloaf is classic comfort food that’s equal parts simple and delicious! The pressure cooker does most of the work for you with this easy as can be recipe. You’ll love how tender, moist, and incredibly flavorful this no-fuss meatloaf always turns out!

Is there anything more comforting than a meatloaf? Meatloaf is one of those classic recipes that majority of us have grown up on and you either have fond memories of it or you hate it and never want to have it again.

Trust me when I say this Instant Pot meatloaf recipe is unlike any other meatloaf. It is tender, moist, and so incredibly easy to make. Forget your mom or grandma’s meatloaf, this Instant Pot version is the one you need!

Why You’ll Love This

• Incredibly easy to make. Oh yes! Like any good Instant Pot recipe, this meatloaf comes together pretty perfectly with minimal effort required on your end.
• No frills to be found here. This recipe yields classic meatloaf that we all know and love. You’ll find no unnecessary ingredients or trendy frills with this dinnertime staple!
• Picky-eater approved! Need a certain someone at your kitchen table to eat their dinner? Sneak some protein onto their plate when you make this classic meatloaf with the best ketchup-based glaze.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make classic meatloaf in the Instant Pot. Make sure to scroll down to view the full recipe for exact measurements.

• Ground beef
• Onion
• Eggs
• Plain breadcrumbs
• Garlic
• Milk
• Italian seasoning
• Parsley
• Salt and black pepper
• Ketchup

Here’s what you’ll need for the glaze:

• Ketchup
• Brown sugar
• Worcestershire sauce

How To Make Instant Pot Meatloaf

Here’s how to make the best meatloaf in the Instant Pot. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post for the full recipe.

Make the meatloaf mixture. Combine the ground beef, onion, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, milk, Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, pepper, and ketchup together in a bowl.

Form a loaf. Using your hands, shape the meat mixture into a round loaf. Place it on a piece of foil and form a makeshift loaf pan around the meat by crimping the edges of the foil.

Pressure cook the meatloaf. Place the trivet in the Instant Pot. Make sure the handles are pointed up to make the loaf easier to remove. Place ½ cup of water into the pressure cooker, then put the meatloaf onto the trivet. Lock the lid into place. Pressure cook on high power for 40 minutes. Use the quick release when the cooking time is over.

Make the glaze. You can do this step while the pressure is releasing. Whisk together the three ingredients in a small mixing bowl until combined.

Broil until bubbly. Remove the meatloaf from the pressure cooker and drain it of any excess grease. Place it on a baking sheet and glaze it. Broil for about 5-7 minutes until the glaze is bubbly. Don’t let it burn!

Substitutions and Variations

Make this meatloaf best suited for your tastes with these simple substitutions:

• Make it gluten-free. Swap the plain bread crumbs for a gluten-free option instead. All of the other ingredients should be naturally gluten-free, but you should always double check your labels just to be sure!
• Omit the salt. If you’d like to make this recipe better suited for a low-sodium diet, you can always omit the salt entirely. Also, check your local grocery store for ketchup that has no added salt.
• Use a different type of meat. While ground beef is my personal favorite to use in this classic recipe, you can always opt for something like this classic meatloaf recipe that uses a combination of pork, veal, and beef.

Tips for Success

Make your Instant Pot Meatloaf the BEST it can be with these easy tips for success:

• Don’t over-mix. When you’re combining the meat mixture at the very beginning of this recipe, be careful to not over-mix the ingredients. Doing so will create a tough loaf! Instead, combine everything by hand in a large bowl until it’s just combined enough that the ingredients are evenly distributed.
• Read through the instructions with care. When cooking with an Instant Pot, it’s important to not take any liberties with the step-by-step instructions. You want to make sure your pressure cooker is set to the right power and that you release the pressure as is instructed for the best results.
• Keep an eye on your meatloaf while broiling. As I’m sure you already know, it’s VERY easy to burn just about anything when you broil it! Avoid a burned glaze by keeping a watchful eye on your meatloaf as it broils.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Once the meatloaf cools to room temperature, you can store any leftovers you may have in an airtight container in the fridge. Properly stored, it’ll stay fresh for about 3-4 days. It reheats very well in the microwave – reheat it for 30 seconds at a time until it’s warmed all the way through.

What to Serve with Instant Pot Meatloaf

Need some side dishes to plate next to your pressure cooked entree? I’ve got you covered!

Keep things deliciously all-American when you serve your meatloaf with Garlic Mashed Potatoes. You can also add some veggies to your plate to really round out your meal! Air Fryer Smashed Brussels Sprouts and Broccoli Salad are two of my favorite veggie sides to serve with meatloaf and mashed potatoes.