Transform your leftover cranberry sauce into something truly special with this simple meatloaf recipe, reminiscent of the beloved dishes grandma used to make. It’s tender and juicy, elevated by a delightful cranberry glaze instead of the usual tomato sauce topping!

Very Merry Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and carrots on a white plate.

Serves: 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60-70 minutes

Meat Loaf Ingredients:

ground beef
eggs
envelope dry onion soup mix
shredded parmesan cheese
dried cranberries
dried Italian seasoning

ground beef, dry onion soup mix, shredded paramasan cheese, dried cranberries, parsley, can of whole berry Cranberry sauce, ketchup, beef broth and brown sugar on the counter.

Sauce Ingredients:

can of whole berry Cranberry sauce
ketchup
beef broth
brown sugar

Get the full printable instructions with measurements at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a standard loaf pan (8.5 x 4.5 x 2.6 inches) with foil and spray it with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 2: Place all of the meatloaf ingredients into a large mixing bowl, and using your hands, mix ingredients together. Place and mold the meatloaf into the standard loaf pan. Cook for 60-70 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 155°F.

hand mixing meatloaf ingredients in a large white mixing bowl, on the counter.

molded meatloaf in a foil lined loaf Tim on the counter.

Step 3: While the meatloaf is cooking, make the sauce. Combine the sauce ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl and stir together with a spoon. Set aside.

sauce ingredients mixed together in a medium sized mixing bowl.

Step 4: Once the meatloaf is done cooking, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat liquid, if desired.

Step 5: While the meatloaf is resting, put the sauce into a small pot and heat sauce on low setting until warmed.

Step 6: Place meatloaf onto a platter and top with warm sauce. Slice meatloaf and serve with one of our side dishes!

pouring cranberry sauce on top of the meatloaf, on a white platter on the counter.

Tips-

Substitute bread crumbs for parmesan cheese.

Try serving with:

Very Merry Meatloaf

Transform your leftover cranberry sauce into something truly special with this simple meatloaf recipe, reminiscent of the beloved dishes grandma used to make. It's tender and juicy, elevated by a delightful cranberry glaze instead of the usual tomato sauce topping!

Tara

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 15

Servings

Equipment

Standard loaf pan-8.5 x 4.5 x 2.6 inches

Ingredients

MeatLoaf Ingredients:

2 lbs ground beef
2 eggs
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
½ shredded parmesan cheese
¼ dried cranberries
1 Tbsp dried Italian seasoning

Sauce Ingredients:

14 oz can of whole berry Cranberry sauce
2 Tbsp ketchup
3 Tbsp beef broth
1-2 Tbsp brown sugar

Instructions

Set oven to 350° F. Line a standard loaf pan (8.5 x 4.5 x 2.6 inches) with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Place all of the meatloaf ingredients into a large mixing bowl and using your hands, mix ingredients together with your hands. Mold the meatloaf into the standard loaf pan. Cook for 60-70 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 155°F.
While meat loaf is cooking, make the sauce. In a medium sized mixing bowl combine the sauce ingredients and stir together with a spoon. Set aside.
Once the meatloaf is done cooking, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat liquid, if desired.
While the meatloaf is resting, put the sauce into a small pot and heat the sauce on low setting until warmed.
Remove the meatloaf from the loaf pan and place it on a platter. Top with warm sauce. Slice the meatloaf and serve with one of our side dishes!
*Caution: Use oven mitts when removing the meat loaf. The oven and loaf pan will be hot!