This Wild Rice Meatloaf delivers comforting, savory flavors perfect for cold-weather dinners and meal prep. With ample protein and hearty wild rice, it reheats well, freezes cleanly, and serves a crowd. Make it tonight for a cozy, satisfying meal.
Hearty Winter Recipes
There’s nothing like a warm, fragrant meatloaf to fill the house with cozy smells. This wild rice meatloaf pairs ground beef and pork with mushrooms, herbs, and a touch of maple for a balanced, savory loaf. It’s ideal for a family dinner, feeding a group, or slicing into portions for the week.
Wild Rice Meatloaf Ingredients
The following ingredients create a flavorful, textured meatloaf. Quantities below yield about 6 servings.
Meat
- 1 lb. ground beef (90% lean)
- 1/4 lb. ground pork
Veggies & Dairy
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, minced
- 1 cup mushrooms, minced
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Grains
- 1 cup cooked wild rice* (see Wild Rice Hack)
- 1/4 cup whole wheat panko breadcrumbs
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon dried fennel
- 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1/2 tablespoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon ground oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Condiments
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/2 cup ketchup, divided
- 3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Wild Rice Hack
Cooking wild rice from scratch is great if you have time, but pre-cooked microwave packets or ready-to-heat pouches are a reliable shortcut when you want to save time. Use one cup of cooked wild rice for this recipe. If using a pre-cooked product, drain any excess liquid before adding to the meat mixture.
How to Make Wild Rice Meatloaf
Preheat and mix:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray or grease a standard loaf pan and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except 1/4 cup of the ketchup (reserve that for glazing). Mix gently until evenly combined — using clean hands is often easiest for even mixing without overworking the meat.
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and press it into an even loaf. If desired, press a few extra spoonfuls of cooked wild rice on top for texture.
Bake:
- Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes.
- Remove from oven and spread the reserved 1/4 cup ketchup evenly over the top. Return to oven and bake an additional 10 minutes to caramelize the glaze.
- Let the meatloaf rest at least 10 minutes before slicing so it holds together when served.
Serving suggestion: Serve slices with a vegetable and a starch, such as roasted Brussels sprouts and baked potatoes, or a simple green salad and mashed potatoes.
How to Reheat Meatloaf
To reheat, cover the loaf with foil and bake at 325°F until heated through, about 10–15 minutes depending on slice thickness. For a refreshed glaze, remove foil for the last 1–2 minutes and broil briefly to caramelize the top. Add extra ketchup or sauce to taste.
Can You Freeze Wild Rice Meatloaf?
Yes. Cool the meatloaf completely, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, or place in an airtight freezer container. It will keep up to 3 months frozen. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating using the instructions above.
Great Sides for Wild Rice Meatloaf
- Crock pot baked potatoes or roasted baby potatoes
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Roasted root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes)
- Shaved Brussels sprout salad or a simple green salad
- Green beans almondine or steamed green beans
Tips & Notes
- Wild rice: Use cooked wild rice. You can cook it from scratch or use a precooked packet for convenience—just measure one cup cooked.
- Fat content: If your ground meat yields excess fat in the loaf pan after baking, you can spoon off and discard it or use it as a base for a simple gravy.
- Slicing: Allow the loaf to rest 10 minutes before slicing to keep neat slices.
Nutrition (per serving – approximate)
- Calories: 336 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Fat: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 8 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an estimate only.
Photos by: The Wooden Skillet