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Instant Pot Best Meatloaf & Mashed Potatoes

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The word “meatloaf” can have a bad rap and make people think of Leave It To Beaver or sad school cafeteria food. I mean, it’s not the prettiest sounding name now, is it?

But let’s not let names get the best of our judgement. For I’ve just created a meatloaf so tender, moist, juicy and full of jubilant flavor that I’m claiming it the meatloaf to end all other meatloaves. Like, if Meatloaf the singer tried it, he would do anything for love and he WOULD do that. 

And as if making the greatest meatloaf wasn’t enough, let’s up the ante with a huge bonus here. We’re also going to make the most out-of-this-world, creamy, cheesy, chunky, garlic-y mashed potatoes at the SAME TIME in the SAME POT! 

This is an epic-massive feast of a meal fit for you, your family and/or friends. And if your Instant Pot wasn’t your best friend already, it will be now! 

Here’s How I Made It!: 

It all begins with some wonderful ground meat. Take a bunch of it and add it to a large bowl. 

Follow this with a grated onion… 

…grated Parmesan… 

…breadcrumbs… 

…crushed garlic… 

…seasoned salt… 

…black pepper… 

…dried oregano… 

…dried parsley… 

…milk… 

…ketchup… 

…barbecue sauce… 

…and eggs. 

Now for the fun part! Roll up those sleeves because you’re about to get those hands messy! 

Mix everything in the bowl by hand very well for a few minutes. This includes folding and kneading – almost like a dough… 

…until everything basically sticks together in one giant meatball! When it all basically sticks together, the mixing is done. 

Now, the absolute BEST way to make a meatloaf in your Instant Pot is by using this specific bundt pan! 

Spritz the bundt with non-stick spray… 

…and then pack all that meat in there nice and good. 

Cover with non-stick foil and set aside. 

Now let’s focus on our potatoes. Get a nice assortment of baby reds and whites… 

…and then quarter them and plop them into the Instant Pot. 

Toss in a few garlic cloves… 

…and pour in some chicken broth. 

Lay the trivet on top, making sure it lays flat (the handles should rest downward for more room). 

The, lower the bundt on top of the trivet and it will fit perfectly (this is a 6qt, by the way) 

Puncture a hole through the middle of the bundt opening so steam can get through. Secure the lid and cook at high pressure. 

As the meatloaf & potatoes cook, create that magnificent meatloaf glaze. In a bowl, add some ketchup… 

…barbecue sauce… 

…yellow mustard (don’t worry, mustard haters, you won’t even taste it – it just brings out more flavor)… 

…Worcestershire sauce… 

…brown sugar… 

…honey… 

…and balsamic glaze (optional, but I love it). 

Mix everything together well… 

…and you’ll have a wonderful, sweet and savory glaze! 

After the Instant Pot’s done cooking and you’re quick releasing, pre-heat the oven to 400. 

Carefully remove the bundt pan with some tongs and a dish towel. 

And then remove the trivet from on top of the potatoes (we’ll get back to this in a bit). 

Remove the foil from the bundt pan and voila! A perfectly cooked meatloaf! 

Because there will be some drippings from the cooked meat, CAREFULLY pour out the excess into a hot-oil proof container over the sink while lightly and securely holding the meatloaf in the bundt so it doesn’t slide out into the sink. 

Now get line a baking sheet with some some non-stick foil or spray some regular foil with non-stick spray. 

Then, carefully and securely flip the bundt on top of it (see the video below for a demo). 

And there it is! Once flipped onto the baking sheet, the meatloaf will slide right out of the bundt pan. (If some of it comes apart, that’s fine. It’s just because it’s so moist and tender and you can just easily put it back in its formation). 

Let’s glaze this loaf up! Take that amazing glaze… 

…and brush it all over the meatloaf and get every part of the surface. You’ll also have leftover glaze which is great for dipping. 

Pop the meatloaf into the oven for a few minutes so the glaze caramelizes. 

And, lastly, let’s enter this dance contest and do the mashed potato! It may look like there’s a lot of liquid in the pot – but that’s all going to change soon. 

Take a potato masher and mash the potatoes up to the desired consistency. As this happens, it will absorb all of the broth! 

Now let’s flavor these mashed potatoes up. Add in some butter… 

…half & half or heavy cream… 

…Boursin or cream cheese… 

…kosher salt… 

…black pepper… 

…garlic powder… 

…Italian seasoning… 

…and sliced chives. 

Mix everything together nice and good and what’ve you got? First prize in the mashed potato dance-off! These are some SERIOUSLY creamy, cheesy, smooth-yet-chunky mashed potatoes! 

By the time you’re done mashing the potatoes, the meatloaf glaze should have caramelized nicely. Remove it from the oven… 

…and, using some spatulas in tandem with one another, carefully transfer it to a serving dish or cake platter (since it’s in a ring formation). 

And here’s why I love that hole in the middle of a bundt. We’re gonna put some mashed potatoes in there. Such presentation! 

Cut a slice of meatloaf and you’ll see for yourself how perfectly and tenderly it cooked – holding together awesomely, yet the furthest thing from dry or burnt. 

Feed it to someone. Their face will probably look either shocked at how good it is or you’ll be staring at it in disbelief having a moment. 

Because, MEATLOAF! 

Enjoy!

Instant Pot Best Ever Meatloaf & Mashed Potatoes
Yield: 6

Instant Pot Best Meatloaf & Mashed Potatoes

Meatloaf

Now a famous recipe thanks to being featured on Rachael Ray Show, I've lost track of how many wrote me to say this is the greatest meatloaf they've ever had. Done Bundt-style so it's served like a cake and filled with mashed potatoes in the hollow ring center, this epic meal is all cooked and ready at the same time.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 47 minutes
Total Time 52 minutes

Ingredients

The Meatloaf:

  • 1 lb of ground sirloin beef (85%-90% lean – the less lean, the better)
  • 1/2 lb of ground pork
  • 1/2 lb of ground veal
  • (NOTE: Although I think it’s the best combo for the best flavor, if you don’t want to use pork and/or veal, you can add more ground beef instead. Whatever combo of meat you use, just make sure it totals 2 lbs)
  • Half a yellow onion, grated (a cheese grater works great)
  • 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup of breadcrumbs
  • 3 tbsp of crushed garlic
  • 1 tbsp of seasoned salt
  • 2 tsp of black pepper
  • 2 tsp of dried oregano
  • 2 tbsp of dried parsley
  • 1/2 cup of whole milk
  • 2 tbsp of ketchup
  • 2 tbsp of barbecue sauce
  • 2 eggs, slightly beaten

The Meatloaf Glaze:

  • 1/2 cup of ketchup
  • 1/4 cup of barbecue sauce
  • 1 tbsp of yellow mustard
  • 1 tbsp of honey
  • 1 tbsp of balsamic glaze
  • 1 tsp of Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp of brown sugar (either light or dark is fine)

The Potatoes Before Mashing:

  • 1.5 lbs of baby white or Yukon potatoes, rinsed, skin-on and quartered
  • 1.5 lbs of baby red potatoes, rinsed, skin-on and quartered
  • (NOTE: You can also use 3 lbs of Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes – just peel and quarter those)
  • 5 cloves of garlic
  • 1.5 cups of chicken broth (I used 1.5 tsp of Chicken Better Than Bouillon + 1.5 cups of water)

The Potatoes After Mashing:

  • 1/2 stick (4 tbsp) of salted butter
  • 1/2 cup of half & half or heavy cream
  • 5.2 oz of Boursin cheese (in deli/fancy cheese section of most markets or you can use 4 oz/half a brick of cream cheese or 4 oz of sour cream instead)
  • 1 tsp of kosher salt
  • 1 tsp of black pepper
  • 1 tsp of garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp of Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 cup of chives, sliced

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix together all the meatloaf ingredients by hand for about 2 minutes until it clumps together and stays in a giant meatball formation. Spray a bundt pan (use this one for best results) with non-stick cooking spray and pack the meatloaf mixture into it. Cover with non-stick foil or spritz non-stick spray on the foil and puncture a hole in the middle of the foil so the steam can go through the bundt pan’s center – DO NOT forget to do this (NOTE: If you don’t want to use the bundt, you can shape the meat into a rectangular loaf and rest it on non-stick aluminum foil with the sides of the foil folded up so it covers all sides of the meatloaf with the top fully exposed. Just make sure the loaf is even in terms of shape or it may not cook evenly – which is why I suggest using this fabulous bundt pan for guaranteed even cooking results and a lovely ring shape)
  2. Add the potatoes, chicken broth and garlic cloves to the Instant Pot. Rest the trivet on top of the potatoes and garlic (press it down good so the trivet rests flat) and then rest the bundt pan on top of the trivet. Secure the lid and hit “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” at High Pressure for 35 minutes (NOTE: I did this in a 6qt and it fits absolutely perfectly)
  3. While the meatloaf’s cooking, mix together all the ingredients for the meatloaf glaze in a bowl until well combined. Set aside when done
  4. Once the Instant Pot has finished cooking, perform a quick release. Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees while the steam’s releasing
  5. Using some tongs and a dish towel/oven mitt, remove the bundt from the pot. Pour out any excess drippings from the bundt into a hot-oil proof container over the sink, carefully securing the meatloaf in place with a spatula or dish/paper towel so it doesn’t slide out (that would be a shame)
  6. Line a baking sheet with non-stick foil or spray some non-stick cooking spray on regular foil. Place the foil-lined baking sheet over the bundt and, firmly holding them together with your hands protected from the heat, quickly flip upside down. The meatloaf will slide right out of the bundt and onto the foil. (If it breaks apart a little since it’s super moist and tender, that’s okay and you can easily place it back into formation). Brush the meatloaf glaze all over the meatloaf and pop it into the oven for 5-10 minutes until the glaze caramelizes (I went for 7 minutes). Keep an eye on it as all ovens vary! (NOTE: If you didn’t use the bundt pan, just fold the foil sides down around the meatloaf, drain the drippings into a hot-oil proof container over the sink and then place the meatloaf on a baking sheet with the non-stick foil under it)
  7. While the meatloaf’s in the oven, use a potato masher to mash the potatoes to the desired consistency and then add in all the “Potatoes After Mashing” ingredients. Stir until well combined and adjust any seasonings to taste
  8. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and carefully transfer to a serving dish or cake platter using two spatulas supporting the bottom. Place some of the mashed potatoes in the center of the ring (for presentation) and place the rest in a serving dish
  9. Enjoy this epic feast!

Jeffrey's Tips

For thicker mashed potatoes, remove half a cup (or all) of the broth by straining it after cooking but before mashing the potatoes.

As for using a bundt pan to make this meatloaf, I cannot suggest it enough. Not only does it make for a pretty presentation with the convenient ring-like shape and the mashed potatoes to rest in the center but, more importantly, it ensures the meat is cooked evenly. Forget shaping it into a loaf. No worries about an undercooked center here!

You can also use the bundt pan to make my fabulous Stuffing and Bread Pudding!

As mentioned, the meat ratio is best when using 1 lb of ground beef/sirloin, 1/2 lb of ground pork and 1/2 lb of ground veal. You can change it up how you wish, but make sure it totals 2 lbs of meat.

Want it a bit spicy? Add about 1-2 tsp of a Cayenne pepper to the meatloaf mixture.

If you only want to make the meatloaf, just rest the bundt on the trivet and only add in 1.5 cups of water instead of broth at Step 2 and skip Step 7.

If you only want to make mashed potatoes, just follow Steps 2 & 7 but obviously forget the trivet and cook for 15 minutes instead of 35. Do a quick release when done.



Cuisine: American / Category: Meat

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Susan

    Hi! I’m hoping to try this recipe next week in my spring firn pan with a ramekin in the middle. My bundt is way too big and I don’t want to wait for a smaller one to arrive. The links you provide for a bundt go to one that is over 8”… is that not too big for the Instantpot 6 qt?

    Reply

  5. Melissa Cravens

    Winner, winner meatloaf dinner! Found this recipe last night and went and bought the very few things I didn’t have on hand. I made it tonight and there aren’t leftovers! For sure a new family favorite!

    Reply

  7. Grace

    OMG!!! Delicious. My meatloaf didn’t come out of my bundt pan so nicely but it didn’t matter. The potatoes had a great garlic taste. We loved both of them. Thanks for the recipe

    Reply

  8. Laurie

    Now this is the only way he wants his potatoes cooked so no more just throwing potatoes in to be baked! All was very good and I managed to follow the directions with no problem. I also purchased “The Step By Step Instant Pot Cookbook”. Great book! Thanks

    Reply

  9. Michelle Luisi

    So in your book, the meatloaf portion calls for 9 cloves of garlic, yet on your website, it calls for 3. Which is correct????

    Reply

  11. Anne

    I didn’t know there was a “smaller” Bundt pan. My 12-cup of course didn’t fit into the Pot. Stumped and panicking, I put the meatloaf into my Pyrex green mixing bowl, covered with foil, hole in the middle and placed directly onto the potatoes (no trivet). It worked! I do have an aluminum Jello-ish mold which I will test for fit and use that next time. DH LOVED it and said, “Who would think steamed meatloaf would be a thing?” Yummmmmmmmm.

    Reply

  12. Diane Boysen

    I got the 6″ bundt pan and highly doubted all of that meatloaf was going to fit, but SURPRISE…fit perfectly. Wowza. Love the 6″ bundt pan, by the way.

    Reply

  14. Shelly

    I made this tonight and it was delicious. Only change to the ingredients was that I added green pepper to the mix. I also didn’t have a bundt pan and did the foil boat. If you do choose this way make sure you use heavy duty aluminum foil so that it doesn’t tear when you take it out of the pot. We ate half and it was he rest will go in the freezer for another meal.

    Reply

  18. Kelly

    Just got in InstaPot last week and am trying out different chefs/methods/recipes. This looks like a good one and I’m trying it tonight. I didn’t have a small Bundt pan, so I am using the 7” InstantPot brand layer/cake pan. I used a small juice glass in the middle and formed the meat around it, then removed the glass before cooking. Fingers crossed it’s a good solution!

    Reply

  19. Hilde

    FYI if you are using 2 pounds ground beef, add about 1/2 tsp if unflavored Knox gelatin to the meat. It will give the beautiful moisture that you look for when combining the three meats.

    Reply

  20. Pati Kalinowski

    We made the meatloaf and potatoes tonight. It was delicious! The potatoes were not as thick as we like them, so I just sprinkled in some instant potato flakes and Voila’, they were perfect!

    Reply

  22. Wendy

    Any suggestions on upsizing for an 8qt and a bigger family? Would love to try this but I think there would be none left for me!

    Reply

  24. Kerri

    My family loves the recipe, but I’m disappointed with the pan. I’ve made it a dish that fit, but I wanted the Bundt so I purchased the recommended pan. I used the pan for the first time last night and the lining is flaking off. I put in for an Amazon return and ordered the Instant brand pan.
    Due to my husband’s high blood pressure I no longer cook with salt, but the meatloaf is wonderful without.

    Reply

  25. Jean Ann

    If I use the Bundt pan but want to cook it in the oven what temperature and how long should I cook?
    Thank you

    Reply

  26. Tammy

    If I don’t want to heat up my house by turning on the oven, can I use the air fryer lid? If so what do I push?

    Reply

  27. Amy

    So awesome! Made this tonight and it is a keeper. Made exactly as written, which I never do! And it was so good. No modifications needed.

    Reply

    • Elisabeth Smith

      This sounds great, but there’s no way my Bundt pan will fit in my instant pot. How long, and at what temperature, should I bake it in the oven?

      Reply

  28. Chandra

    There’s a seven inch silicone Bundt pan and it appeals because the reviews for the metal Bundt are really bad; flaking and chipping.

    Is it possible to get similar results with silicone or have you not tried that method?

    I also have a small angel food cake pan that would serve because it fits…b but not solid, one-piece, it’s a two-piece.

    Thank you kindly if you get the chance to respond!

    Chandra

    Reply

  31. Ali M

    This was fantastic! So easy and so delicious. I am surprised you would recommend a pan of such poor quality. The exterior color starting coming off after first use. And where did it go? In the potatoes? 🤢 love your recipes. But srsly…the pan🤦🏼‍♀️

    Reply

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