The Absolute Best Way To Reheat Meatloaf

A classic on many a dinner table, meatloaf is a delicious powerhouse of a dish. Its rich, meaty flavor and moist texture make this filling entree a reliable meal, especially when it is fresh out of the oven. While enhancements like swapping ketchup for another flavor-packed meatloaf ingredient make for a superb meatloaf, sometimes the experience of eating such a good dish is diminished when it is reheated as leftovers.

Reheating meatloaf frequently leads to a dry dish, resulting in an entirely different experience compared to enjoying it fresh. We were able to speak with chef Jeff Mauro, founder & CEO of his prepared food company Mauro Provisions, and gather his input on the matter at the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Fest. When it comes to reheating meatloaf, Mauro says that one should "Slice the meatloaf and gently reheat in non-stick pan with a little butter." A little bit of butter will reduce the risk of the dish drying out too much (while also adding flavor), and slicing the meatloaf ensures that the dish reheats evenly.

While reheating may not be as much of a problem if you creatively used a muffin tin to prepare individual meatloaves, larger loaves come with some challenges when it's time to reheat them. Before adding any heat to the dish, be sure to let the loaf rest until it reaches room temperature; doing so helps to ensure an even reheat when it comes time to put it into the oven. You may also find success by pouring a tablespoon or two of water or beef broth into the meatloaf tray so that the loaf does not dry out as it reheats.

If a microwave is more your style, be sure to only reheat the meatloaf in smaller slices until the interior of the pieces is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Reheating an entire loaf or a particularly dense chunk is the easiest way to make sure there is a cold middle or an overcooked exterior. Instead of covering the dish with foil as you would for the oven — obviously not a great choice for the microwave — a damp paper towel will work wonders to keep the meatloaf from drying out. However you decide to reheat your meatloaf, we hope you enjoy this classic comfort food, which has surprising origins as a breakfast dish.