Testing Meatloaf Recipes: Ina Garten vs. Ree Drummond vs. Rachael Ray

2026-03-13T13:16:57.605Z

I tried meatloaf recipes from Ina Garten, Ree Drummond, and
Rachael Ray to see which was best.

Garten’s meatloaf was simple and easy to make, but Drummond’s dish was a bit overwhelming.

Ray’s recipe was the best because it tasted like a Thanksgiving dish with my favorite fall flavors.

I love family-sized meals that provide enough leftovers for my husband and me — but somehow, I’d never made meatloaf before.

To find the best way to make this popular comfort dish, I turned to the celebrity chefs.

I tested out recipes from Ina Garten, Ree Drummond, and Rachael Ray to find the best version of the classic dish.

Here’s how the recipes stacked up.

The ingredient list for Garten’s recipe was simple.

Ingredients for Ina Garten's meatloaf recipe laid on a marble surface. — I already had most of Ina Garten’s meatloaf ingredients in my pantry.
Abigail Abesamis Demarest

Garten’s recipe had a short ingredient list and was very straightforward. It included common pantry items such as olive oil, onions, eggs, and chicken stock.

She also recommended using ground chuck, a ground-beef blend that’s usually 80% lean and 20% fat.

Garten’s recipe required I fire up the stove.

Sautéed onions on a stove. — First, I sautéed the onions and spices.
Abigail Abesamis Demarest

I sautéed chopped onions, thyme, salt, and pepper in a pan until the onions were translucent.

Then, I removed the pan from the heat and added Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste.

All three meatloaf recipes were good, but Ray’s was my favorite.

Three different meat-loaf dishes. — I tried meatloaf recipes from Ina Garten (top left), Rachael Ray (top right), and Ree Drummond (bottom).
Abigail Abesamis Demarest

Ray’s meatloaf recipe tasted like Thanksgiving — and came together much faster than roasting a bird and making sides. Even though I halved her recipe, there was still plenty to serve a crowd or save for leftovers.

I can’t see myself making Drummond’s meatloaf again, even if it was tasty.

However, if you’re looking for a classic recipe, you can’t go wrong with Garten’s. It’s simple enough to whip up with some ground beef and kitchen staples.

This story was originally published on October 15, 2023, and most recently updated on March 13, 2026.

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