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Meatloaf with Herbed Cream Sauce

A classic meatloaf topped with the best ever meatloaf sauce. If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food recipe, this is it. 

Meatloaf is an American Classic for a reason. It’s stick to your ribs comfort food at it’s finest. Most of us probably have memories of our moms making it. Or going to our grandmas for Sunday supper and sitting down to a plate of meatloaf, homemade mashed potatoes and sautéed broccoli.

Slices of classic meatloaf.

Meatloaf says home. And this recipe for Meatloaf with Herbed Cream Sauce is no different. With two kinds of meat, garlic, onions and herbs this meatloaf recipe results in a moist, flavorful meatloaf that your family will love.

Tips for making the perfect meatloaf recipe:

  • Use more than one type of meat. Using more than one type of meat will make your meatloaf much more flavorful. I recommend using a mixture of beef and pork sausage.
  • DO NOT OVER MIX. Use your hands to mix the meatloaf together but do not over mix. Doing so will result in a tough and dense meatloaf.
  • Like all meat dishes, it is better to give the meatloaf a chance to rest, about 10 minutes before slicing. This will help ensure that your meatloaf stays together better.

Ingredients for meatloaf in a bowl before mixing.

What is the best meatloaf sauce?

Now that we have the tips for making the perfect meatloaf, let’s talk about the sauce. Traditionally, you’ll find meatloaves made with a ketchup based glaze. This recipe however, gets an upgrade with a creamy herb meatloaf sauce. And it is fabulous.

Cream sauce in a pan.

To make this sauce you’ll need to reserve some of the pan drippings from the meatloaf and whisk them with flour, beef broth, and cream as well as fresh chives, parsley and thyme.

It makes a thick, creamy gravy that is perfect for spooning over the top of a slice of meatloaf.

Spooning meatloaf sauce over a slice of meatloaf.

 

Looking for side dishes to serve with meatloaf? These are some of our family favorites!

Garlic Rice

Baked Red Potatoes

Red Skin Mashed Potatoes

More of our favorite beef recipes:

Flat Iron Steak Recipe 

Beef Stew with Red Wine

Filet Mignon with Peppercorn Sauce

Note: this recipe was originally published in 2009. It was updated with new photos and tips in 2019.

So long ketchup! There is a new sauce for your meatloaf! This creamy herb sauce gives this classic an upgrade! #meatloaf #comfortfood

Spooning meatloaf sauce over a slice of meatloaf.

Meatloaf with Herbed Cream Sauce

A classic meatloaf topped with the best ever meatloaf sauce. If you're looking for the ultimate comfort food recipe, this is it. 
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 1 hr
Total Time 1 hr 15 mins
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings

Ingredients
  

Meatloaf Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup roughly chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup roughly chopped crimini mushrooms
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 1/4 pound ground beef 80/20
  • 6 breakfast sausage links casings removed
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 2/3 cup plain dry bread crumbs
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire
  • 1 teaspoon grated horseradish
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme

Herbed Cream Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon meatloaf pan drippings
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1/4 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • fresh cracked pepper and kosher salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a small sauce pan heat olive oil. Once warmed add onion, mushrooms and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes or until softened. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
  • In a bowl combine beef, sausage, eggs, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, ketchup, Worcestershire, horseradish and thyme. Once the mushroom mixture has cooled spoon that over the meat mixture. Using your hands, mix until well combined. Form into a loaf and place in a 9-inch loaf pan. Cook for 35-40 minutes or until top is firm and internal temperature is 160 degrees. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 15 minutes before slicing. Meanwhile make your sauce.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon meat loaf pan drippings in a small sauce pan over medium heat. After warmed, whisk in flour, cook 1 minute. Whisk in beef broth. Slowly whisk in cream. Allow to simmer for 3-5 minutes or until sauce thickens. It should coat the back of a spoon. Stir in chives, parsley and thyme. Cook for 1 minute. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Slice meatloaf, place on serving platter and spoon the sauce over the top.

Notes

Serve with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Sauteed Green Beans and you have the perfect Autumn supper. Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: beef recipe, comfort food, cream sauce, gravy, meatloaf sauce

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    Mama Brightowl
    April 20, 2013 at 5:33 pm

    This recipe is FANTASTIC!!! I don’t even like meatloaf, and I loved this. Will definitely be making it again! I even blogged about it :)

  • Reply
    F
    November 10, 2009 at 10:06 am

    Even though I live in Miami FL and I don’t have a fire going….I’m making this tonight!
    Thank you!

    • Reply
      Deseree
      November 11, 2009 at 12:37 pm

      F- You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy it :)

  • Reply
    Silvana
    October 30, 2009 at 2:25 pm

    Ok seriously… that is the most tantalizing picture of meatloaf i have ever seen! It makes me want to put on my jammies & make it on a cold and rainy night while I eat it in my living room watching a really good movie! Can you say “comfort food”?? I’ll let you know when I make it! Thanks for sharing.

    • Reply
      Deseree
      October 31, 2009 at 12:58 pm

      Thanks Silvana! It is super comforting, especially with a plate of mashed potatoes along side. I hope you enjoy it!

  • Reply
    Bagwatt
    October 26, 2009 at 12:04 pm

    I made this last night and it was the most amazing meatloaf iver ever had! I added fennel to the mixture just to try it. my boyfriend and I ate it fireside and it was the pefect fall sunday dinner! The cream sauce is the best thing that’s ever happened to meatloaf!

  • Reply
    oneshotbeyond
    October 12, 2009 at 7:05 pm

    looks delicious…and I don’t usually say that about other peoples meatloafs! YUM!

  • Reply
    Erin
    October 12, 2009 at 7:28 am

    looks amazing!!!

  • Reply
    Kevin
    October 12, 2009 at 6:20 am

    That is one tasty sounding meatloaf!

  • Reply
    Carrie
    October 9, 2009 at 12:01 pm

    This really looks delicious. I’ve been meaning to put meatloaf on the menu soon, and I think this will be the one!

  • Reply
    Jenn
    October 9, 2009 at 11:28 am

    I am not a huge fan of meat loaf, but your picture is so yummy looking, it makes me want to go home and make it right now!

  • Reply
    Memoria
    October 9, 2009 at 11:23 am

    Wow! I’ve never seen meatloaf look as tempting as this! The sauce sounds and looks incredible! I’m bookmarking this recipe for sure.

  • Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »

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