Easy Pork Meatloaf with Spaghetti Sauce

Pork meatloaf is a classic dish that combines simple ingredients to create a hearty and satisfying meal. This recipe, inspired by Jamie Oliver, offers a delicious twist by incorporating spaghetti sauce and roasted carrots. It’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings, and it can be easily adapted to suit your taste.

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Servings: 6

This pork meatloaf recipe is not only easy to make but also allows for flexibility in ingredients, making it a great option for using what you have on hand.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

1. 3 Carrots: Peeled and quartered lengthways.
2. Olive Oil: For drizzling.
3. 100g Stale Bread: Blitzed into breadcrumbs.
4. 500g Minced Pork: You can substitute with other minced meats like lamb or beef.
5. 2 Heaped Teaspoons Dried Oregano: For flavor.
6. 30g Feta Cheese: Crumbled, adds richness.
7. 1 Large Egg: Acts as a binder.
8. 3 Fresh Red Chillies: Halved and deseeded for heat.
9. 1 Onion: Finely chopped.
10. 2 Cloves of Garlic: Finely chopped.
11. 700ml Jar of Passata: For the sauce base.
12. 30g Cheddar Cheese: Grated, for topping.
13. 480g Dried Spaghetti: To serve alongside.

Top Tip

Feel free to swap out the minced pork for any combination of minced meat you prefer, such as lamb or beef. If you don’t have carrots, any crunchy root vegetable will work just fine.

Method

Step 1: Prepare the Carrots

1. Preheat your oven to 200ºC (400ºF/gas mark 6).
2. Peel the carrots and cut them into quarters lengthways.
3. Place the carrots in a roasting tray and drizzle with olive oil.
4. Roast the carrots in the oven for about 10 minutes.

Step 2: Make the Meatloaf Mixture

1. While the carrots are roasting, blitz the stale bread into breadcrumbs using a food processor.
2. In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with minced pork, half of the dried oregano, crumbled feta cheese, the egg, and a good pinch of sea salt and black pepper.
3. Mix everything together using your hands until well combined.
4. Shape the mixture into a loaf approximately 20cm long.

Step 3: Combine Carrots and Meatloaf

1. After the carrots have roasted for 10 minutes, remove them from the oven.
2. Make space in the middle of the roasting tray and add the meatloaf to the tray.
3. Return the tray to the oven and cook for an additional 25 minutes or until the meatloaf is golden brown and cooked through.

Step 4: Prepare the Sauce

1. While the meatloaf is cooking, halve the red chillies lengthways and deseed them.
2. Heat a medium pan over low heat and add a splash of olive oil along with the chillies for about 2 minutes to soften them slightly.
3. Remove the chillies from the pan and set them aside.
4. In the same pan, add chopped onion and garlic along with the remaining oregano.
5. Sauté for about 10 minutes or until softened.

Step 5: Finish Cooking

1. Pour in the passata and swirl a splash of water in the empty jar to rinse it out before adding it to the pan.
2. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then let it simmer until your meatloaf is ready.
3. Once cooked, carefully pour the sauce around the meatloaf in the roasting tray.
4. Pull up the roasted carrots to sit on top of the sauce alongside the chillies.
5. Grate cheddar cheese over everything and return to the oven for another 5-10 minutes until bubbling and golden.

Step 6: Cook Spaghetti

1. While everything is finishing in the oven, cook spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente.
2. Drain spaghetti once cooked.

Step 7: Serve

1. Serve everything family-style at the table with a fresh salad on the side.
2. Slice up your meatloaf and mash some chillies into the sauce for added heat if desired.

Additional Information

This pork meatloaf recipe is versatile and can be adjusted based on personal preferences or what you have available at home.

Pork Meatloaf Variations

• Meat Combination: Use a mix of pork and beef or turkey for different flavors.
• Vegetable Additions: Incorporate finely grated zucchini or bell peppers into the meat mixture for added moisture and nutrition.
• Cheese Options: Substitute feta with goat cheese or omit cheese entirely if desired.

FAQs about Pork Meatloaf with Spaghetti Sauce

What can I use instead of stale bread?

You can use fresh bread; just dry it out slightly in an oven before blitzing it into breadcrumbs.

How do I know when my meatloaf is done?

Use a meat thermometer; it should read at least 70ºC (160ºF) when fully cooked.

Can I freeze leftover meatloaf?

Yes! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in an airtight container before freezing.

What should I serve with pork meatloaf?

It pairs well with mashed potatoes, green beans, or a fresh salad.

How long does cooked meatloaf last in the fridge?

Cooked meatloaf can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Conclusion:

Pork meatloaf is not just comfort food; it’s an adaptable dish that brings warmth to any table setting. With its rich flavors from roasted vegetables and savory spices, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite! Enjoy experimenting with different ingredients while keeping this classic dish at its heart—deliciousness!