Creole Meatloaf

My Creole meatloaf is full of flavor-popping surprises, y'all!! The Cajun trinity, Creole mustard, and a few other select condiments are run through the blender and then rolled with bread crumbs and lean beef. As it bakes, an easy homemade red gravy simmers on the stove. At the finish, the sauce is poured over the beef and topped with pepper Jack cheese for a melt-in-your-mouth meatloaf extravaganza you'll be pleased to put on rotation repeat. Yep and yay...

There's One Spot Only Cheesy, Beefy Red Gravy Can Hit, Y'all...

Creole meatloaf is a spin on the traditional ground beef recipe incorporating classic south Louisiana flavors and textures into the filling and topping.

My original version of this over-the-top flavorful meatloaf with red gravy is the sister recipe to my Creole meatballs, which I created in 2017. Throughout the testing of that recipe, I found that blending an assortment of chopped veggies and condiments gave me an ultra-flavorful, super-moist filling that replaced the need for eggs. 

Then, once cooked, this filling permeates each morsel of the ground meat mixture. So, every bite explodes with palate-dancing flavor and juicy textures that work just as perfectly for my Creole meatloaf, as well.

Ingredient Essentials & Substitutions

• I use 93% lean ground beef in this recipe. You can also use 73 or 80%, as well. Just take the time to remove the grease fully once the meatloaf has browned and you should be fine. 
• I use gluten free cracker crumbs instead of bread crumbs in my Creole meatloaf. Honestly, I do this because it's easier for me to keep sealed, slow-perishable gluten free crackers on hand than it is to keep gluten free bread. This is just a personal preference, and the recipe should work with either cracker or bread crumbs. 
• Creole mustard is a truly versatile south Louisiana condiment that you can use in many of my recipes. You can order it from Amazon and have it delivered to your home. Or, you can substitute coarse ground mustard, if desired. The Creole meatloaf will have less of a true south Louisiana twang, but it will still taste good. 
• The pulsed Cajun trinity veggies of chopped onion, green bell pepper, and celery, along with the garlic and condiments, help to create the unique body of the dish. Use as many of these as you can to ensure the best possible outcome. 
• Pepper Jack cheese is the best possible topping for this Creole meatloaf. In a pinch, use Colby Jack, cheddar, or mozzarella. 

How to Make Creole Meatloaf 

To start the recipe, preheat the oven.

Pour all of the sauce ingredients into a saucepan set over medium-low heat. Stir to combine, then cover the pot partially. 

Then, place the chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery into the bowl of your food processor or blender. Add the garlic, ranch, and mustard. 

Pulse until incorporated. The seasonings should be spread throughout the veggies that are now in much smaller pieces.

Now, pour the ground beef, cracker crumbs, and blender mixture into a large bowl.

Stir until combined.

Press the mixture into a loaf pan.

Slide the meatloaf into the oven, and bake until browned.

When the Creole meatloaf is browned, remove it from the oven and turn on the broiler.

Let it cool for a bit, then drain the fat or water that has cooked out it while baking. Use paper towels to wipe up the excess fat or water, if necessary.

Pour the tomato sauce and the cheese over the top of the meatloaf.

Slide it back into the oven, and broil for a few minutes until the cheese is browned and bubbly on top.

And that's it, y'all!!

This Creole meatloaf is so easy to make yet so incredibly flavorful!! The seasoned ground beef is so tender that you only need a butter knife to cut your piece off the loaf.

And the sauce, y'all! It's super deep and rich. So, it tastes like you slaved over it all day when it reality it only took an almost effortless 30 minutes to make.

Then there's the cheese on top. All melty with pops of browned bits that make each layered bite even more yum-delicious interesting than the last. For sure!!

Share this Creole meatloaf with those who'll appreciate never, ever looking at meatloaf the same way again. And see y'all on the yum side...

Other Amazing Creole Recipes

NOTE: This post was originally published on November 15, 2019, and was updated and republished on August 7, 2024.