Name: Instant Pot Meatloaf
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 1 cup panko bread crumbs; 1/3 cup beef stock, low sodium (see note); 1 large egg beaten; 2 tablespoons ketchup; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon dried onion soup mix; 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey (I recommend 90% lean); 1/4 cup ketchup; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar; 2 pounds red potatoes (cut into 2-3 inch chunks); 1 1/2 cups vegetable or beef broth (see note); 1/4 cup sour cream; 1 tablespoon butter; salt to taste

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Instant Pot Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes is a delicious all-in-one family meal. Pressure cooked together at once, the result is a classic, moist meatloaf and creamy, flavorful smashed red potatoes.

This Instant Pot Meatloaf recipe delivers a comforting meal that is surprisingly easy to make and incredibly flavorful. The moist heat of the Instant Pot keeps this meatloaf extremely tender and juicy, and it cooks up in a fraction of the time it would take to prepare in the oven. Not to mention, the Instant Pot perfectly cooks mashed potatoes at the same exact time. While no additional side is needed, I do love to round out this meal with Roasted Brussels Sprouts or Green Beans Almondine.

Why Meatloaf in the Instant Pot Works

The best meatloaf I have ever had was made by a renowned chef. He told me his secret was to steam the meatloaf and then broil it, as this keeps the meat moist while it cooks.

After trying his meatloaf and finding out his cooking technique, I knew I could duplicate the result in the Instant Pot. And the results are spectacular!

This recipe for Instant Pot Meatloaf is not only out of this world delicious, but it is so easy to make as well and it does not require any special ingredients or fancy equipment.

Not to mention, because the instant pot can cook mashed potatoes in the same amount of time, an entire family meal comes together with minimal effort.

Notes on Ingredients

Meat: I prefer using a lean ground sirloin for this recipe, to prevent the meatloaf from being grizzly or greasy. The moist heat of the Instant Pot will keep the lean meat from drying out. Feel free to use ground turkey in place of ground beef if desired, but 90 percent lean meat works best.
Bread Crumbs: Use plain, unseasoned bread crumbs. I personally prefer panko bread crumbs, but regular bread crumbs will work if you do not have panko bread crumbs on hand.
Stock: Instead of adding milk to this meatloaf recipe, I recommend using low-sodium beef broth. I do this in my meatball recipe as well, and it gives the meatloaf more flavor than if you use milk. I also cook the potatoes in low-sodium vegetable broth as well, as it adds flavor to the mashed potatoes. Feel free to use beef stock for both the mashed potatoes and meatloaf or use vegetable broth for both, instead of purchasing both varieties.
Seasonings for Meatloaf: To give this meatloaf incredible flavors while using minimal ingredients, I opt to use a few very flavorful additions: ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and homemade dried onion soup mix.
Potatoes: To keep prep work to a minimum, I opt to use red potatoes, as they do not need to be peeled. Yukon gold potatoes work in place of the red potatoes, as do peeled russet potatoes.
Sour Cream: Sour cream is my secret ingredient for the creamiest, most flavorful mashed potatoes. It adds incredible flavor and allows you to cut back on the total amount of butter added to the mashed potatoes. Be sure to use full-fat or reduced-fat sour cream, not fat-free sour cream.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Before you get started, be sure you have a trivet or rack that can sit inside the inner pot and foil. The meatloaf cooks on a foil boat that needs to rest on top of the rack. This is regardless of if you cook mashed potatoes at the same time as the meatloaf or not.

A trick to ensuring your foil boat will fit on the rack, is to form it around the rack.

To prepare the meatloaf itself, you need to first mix together the bindings for the meatloaf. It is really important to combine these ingredients BEFORE adding the meat, or the meat will be overworked.

Next, add the meat and use your hands to just incorporate the ingredients together.

Add the meatloaf mixture to the foil boat and use your hands to shape into a round loaf.

Place the chopped potatoes in the bottom of the inner pot and add the broth and season with salt.

Place the rack on top of the potatoes and then place the meatloaf on top of the rack.

Seal the pressure cooker and set to cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.

While the meatloaf is pressure cooking, mix together the glaze for the meatloaf and set aside.

Once cook time has elapsed, allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes and then do a quick release of any remaining pressure. Don’t worry if your meatloaf does not look pretty–I promise you it will taste delicious!

To remove the meatloaf from the Instant Pot, use caution, as there will be hot drippings. You can use a meat baster to suck out the dripping along the sides of the meatloaf or you can carefully lift the foil out the inner pot and tilt to the side to drain over a bowl.

Place the meatloaf onto a baking sheet and spoon the glaze over the meatloaf. Place under a preheated broiler and caramelize for 3-5 minutes. Allow the meatloaf to rest while you prepare the mashed potatoes.

Remove the rack from the inner pot and use a potato masher to mash the potatoes until they reach the desired consistency. It is okay to have some lumps! Add in the butter and sour cream and stir to just incorporate. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.

Slice the meatloaf and serve with the mashed potatoes.

How to make Instant Pot Meatloaf without Mashed Potatoes

While I personally think that there is nothing much better than the combination of meatloaf and mashed potatoes, you prepare meatloaf in the Instant Pot without the addition of mashed potatoes.

Prepare and shape the meatloaf as recipe directs.
Pour 1.5 cups of water into the inner pot of the pressure cooker and place a rack/trivet over the water.
Place the meatloaf on the rack and seal the pressure cooker.
Set the Cook Time for 20 minutes on high pressure.
While the meatloaf is cooking, prepare the glaze for the meatloaf.
Once cook time has elapsed, allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes and then do a quick release of any remaining pressure.
Carefully remove the foil packet from the inner pot and carefully drain off the drippings over a bowl.
Place the meatloaf on a sheet pan and spoon the glaze over the meatloaf.
Broil for 3-5 minutes until caramelized and warmed through.

Recipe Tips and FAQs

Leftovers Meatloaf

Store Leftover meatloaf in a sealed container for 3 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Leftover mashed potatoes can be stored in a sealed container for up to 3 days as well.

The Glaze

The glaze is completely optional. It is also optional to broil the meatloaf after glazing. I prefer the slight caramelization of the brown sugar and ketchup that can only be achieved by glazing, but it is perfectly fine to skip that step.

Egg-Free

The egg helps to bind the meatloaf together, but if you have an egg allergy, simply omit the egg. The meatloaf will not hold together as well, but it will still taste delicious.

Gluten-Free

If you need this recipe for meatloaf to be gluten-free, use quick-cook oats in place of breadcrumbs or gluten-free breadcrumbs. Also, ensure your stock Worcestshire Sauce are both gluten-free.

More Instant Pot All-In-One Meals

Instant Pot Jambalaya: Perfectly spiced and full of flavor, this Jambalaya can be made with or without shrimp.
Instant Pot Mongolian Beef: An Asian favorite and SO simple! This recipe includes instructions on how to make rice at the same time!
Instant Pot Mexican Lasagna: A true family favorite, this Tortilla Pie is made with layers of refried beans, seasoned meat, and cheese.
Instant Pot Sausage and Potatoes: The faster meal ever! This simple southern comfort food recipe is ready in 15 minutes.

Regardless if you make the Instant Pot Meatloaf with or without mashed potatoes, you will love how flavorful and tender this recipe for meatloaf turns out!

Instant Pot Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes