I’ve been on a huge sweets-kick here lately with the holidays being in full swing. I looked back at my recent recipe posts and realized that most of them were sugary concoctions, so I thought I’d throw a little savory into the mix and share one of my go-to, fool-proof recipes that my family absolutely loves. I love to prepare it on nights when I don’t feel like doing a whole lot of prep work in the kitchen, and when I need something that’s totally easy to pair any sort of side dish with.
This super simple meatloaf recipe only requires 4 ingredients, yet it’s loaded with flavor and is super moist & delicious! There’s nothing worse than a dry meatloaf, but this one is totally perfect every time!
I’ve shared before how my family very rarely buys beef. My husband is a hunter and provides nearly all of the red meat that our family consumes throughout the year. Venison can be used just like hamburger meat, so if venison isn’t your thing, just sub in 1 lb of ground beef for the meat! 🙂
In addition to 1 lb of ground meat, you’ll also need a box of stuffing mix (I normally use cornbread flavor, but chicken works great), an egg and 1 cup of water. Simply combine all of the ingredients together and bake in a greased loaf pan for 45 minutes at 350 F. Voila! Dinner is served!
Here’s a free printable version of the recipe if you’d like to save it and share it with your family this week. I betcha it’ll become a staple dish in your meal reservoir that your family will love!
The BEST Ever Meatloaf Recipe: Venison Edition
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or ground venison
- 1 egg
- 1 cup water
- 1 box cornbread or chicken stuffing mix
- Ketchup for dipping optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F
- Combine all ingredients and pour into a greased loaf pan
- You can add a little ketchup to the top of the mixture before baking if you'd like - optional
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until completely cooked all throughout
- Slice and enjoy!
Tried this recipe?
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What are some other quick and fool-proof recipes that your family loves to eat? Do you have another venison recipe that you love to prepare? Leave a comment below and share the love!
My husband is a hunter too! ( once long ago Before children I enjoyed it with him)
I would love more recipes:) I usually just use it in anything that I would use hamburger in. Personally I love tenderloin wrapped in bacon on the grill but not really that time of year 🙁
Our freezer is full! But, I run out of ideas! I love that we process our own meat. I know that it is handled safely.
The kids don’t know the difference;)
I tried it tonight and husband loved it just wants me add some green peppers next time.
So glad he liked it! Green peppers sound like a great add, too!
I’m thinking about adding ground buffalo. Love the idea of the green pepper, maybe an onion, too? Greatness using stuffing. Ingenious!
I’d love to try buffalo! That would definitely be a first for me!
Do you prepare the stuffing before adding it?
No, you add it in completely dry. Hope that helps!
The moisture from the other ingredients will bring it to life 🙂
Just found this and have to say – it’s the best meatloaf recipe I’ve ever made so far. I have to make two at a time for just me and my husband. He can eat a whole pan himself throughout the week.
Rebecca – I’m SO glad to hear that you love this recipe! It’s such an easy meal to throw together. It’s a huge hit in my home, and I’m so happy to know that it’s now a hit in your home, too!
I am planning on making this tonight, and I got the bagged stuffing mix (because it’s the only one I’ve ever bought!) Now that I’m looking at your picture, I’m wondering if the boxed mix might be different – am I ok with the bag? Excited to try this!
Hi Johanna! I think it’s worth a shot! The main idea of the stuffing is to hold the meat together as a binder and to be the primary seasoning in the meatloaf. Does your stuffing mix have seasoning in it? If not, it may come out a little bland.
Is the ground venison mixed with other fattie meat or just straight up venison? thank you!
Hi Emma!
Yes, we process all of our venison ourselves, and we add in a little bit of pork fat when we grind it to give it the extra fat it needs. Typically when you have your deer processed by someone else they will do that for you – or at least from our experience. If you’re using just straight ground venison meat, this recipe will be drier and will likely not bind together very well. Hope that helps!
Hello! Our deer meat is not processed without any fat added. Could I mix 1 lb. of ground beef with 1 lb. of deer meat and double the cooking time? Would I need to use an extra box of stuffing too?
Thanks!
Hi Megan! Yes, I think it would be fine to mix the beef with the venison. If doubling the meat, go ahead and double the rest of the ingredients, too. Pour the mixture into two loaf pans instead of just one large one if you can. That way you can keep the same cook time.
No Seasons added ?
Hi Rick!
No need to add seasoning. All of the seasoning included in the boxed stuffing mix makes it taste extra delicious!
do you cover it at all?
No need! 🙂
Making this tonight! Can’t wait!
Looks delicious was wondering if i could use chicken stock or beef stock instead of water
I think that would be a nice substitution! May just need to be mindful of the salt level, but I bet it’d be delicious!
I’m making this tonight. I’m so excited. I did add seasoning, Nature’s Seasoning, Taco Cheese blend, and bacon bits. So I’m very excited to try it!
I used a silicone pan and I have water bubbling at corners is that ok??
Hi Amanda,
I have never used a silicone pan while baking, so I can’t speak for the results when used. How did yours turn out?
45 minutes enough time? It seems awful thick.
It’s worked perfectly every time for me! How did yours turn out?
Just made this recipe last night for my family. Hands down the best meatloaf any of us have ever had. I mad extra and shared with our neighbors who agreed it was the best ever. So simple, I never would have thought of this but will use this more. Wife also wants me to look up more of your recipes so keep them coming! Thank you!
Hi Nick,
I’m so excited to hear that this recipe was a hit with your family! That makes my day!
This sounds good. It looks like your venison is mixed with ground beef ? I’m wondering what I should mix in our venison. We processed ours, ourselves but didn’t mix it with anything else. What do you suggest so it tastes as good as yours !! ?. Can’t wait to make it.
Hi Louisa! We don’t add any ground beef to ours, but we do add in a little pork fat since venison is so lean and can easily dry out.