Can I bake 2 meatloaves at the same time
In this brief guide, we will address the query, “Can I bake 2 meatloaves at the same time” We will also discuss What is the adequate baking time for preparing 2 meatloaves simultaneously and What is the optimal temperature to bake 2 meatloaves at the same time?
Can I bake 2 meatloaves at the same time?
Yes, you can bake 2 meatloaves at the same time in your oven so that the result will be a tender, juicy, and tasty meatloaf.
Traditional meatloaf is the piece of ground meat that is formed into the shape of a loaf after adding other ingredients and then either baked or cooked.
The only hidden secret behind baking 2 meatloaves at the same time is figuring out what is the adequate cooking time and the optimal temperature to make 2 well-baked meatloaves at the same time.
What is the adequate baking time for preparing 2 meatloaves simultaneously?
Baking meatloaves is an art that is acquired by practice and is based mostly on balancing between baking temperature and time.
The baking time that is required to make one or two meatloaves is the same. However, it is recommended to bake the 2 meatloaves in 2 separate pans without covering them for about 55-60 minutes until there is no pink colour anymore.
Always keep in mind that the “Baking time” of a meatloaf depends on the following factors:
- The type of meat used to prepare the loaf (beef, lamb, pork, or poultry)
- The size of the meatloaf (each pound of meatloaf requires 35-45 minutes of baking)
- The type of oven used for baking ( conventional or convection)
What is the optimal temperature to bake 2 meatloaves at the same time?
Meatloaf is composed of proteins, fats, and connective tissue. Therefore to properly bake 2 meatloaves at the same time we should make sure that the internal temperature of the meatloaves reaches 160°F using an internal thermometer.
Therefore it is better to cook the meatloaves at a low temperature for a long time to become completely soft and tender from the inside.
Always avoid using high temperatures when baking your meatloaves even if you are preparing more than 1 at the same time because this will lead to juice drainage out of the meat portion and protein tightening which will make it harder rather than tender.
To better understand what is the optimal temperature to bake 2 meatloaves at the same time, it is important to differentiate between 2 types of ovens that can be used for baking.
Conventional oven
The optimal temperature to bake 2 meatloaves at the same time in a conventional oven is 350°F.
Temperature is taken at different times during the baking process based on the type and size of the meatloaf, therefore you should start checking the internal temperature of your meatloaves based on their weight according to the table below.
| Meatloaf weight | Time to check Internal temperature |
| Mini meatloaves | 30 – 40 minutes |
| 1 pound | 35 – 45 minutes |
| 2 pounds | 55 – 70 minutes |
| 3 pounds | 90 – 120 minutes |
Convection oven
This type of oven is known to have a fan that facilitates heat circulation throughout the baking process and distributes it evenly. Therefore both the time and temperature needed to bake meatloaves drop by 25% and 25 °F respectively when using fan-assisted ovens.
Temperature is taken at different times during the baking process based on the type and size of the meatloaf, therefore you should start checking the internal temperature of your meatloaves based on their weight according to the table below.
| Meatloaf weight | Time to check Internal temperature |
| Mini meatloaves | 22 – 34 minutes |
| 1-pound | 26 – 42 minutes |
| 2-pound | 41 – 53 minutes |
For more detailed guidance and recipes, please check the link here
What are the meatloaf levels of “doneness”?
Based on what we have mentioned earlier, a meatloaf must be cooked at a temperature of 350 degrees for 60-90 minutes to be well done.
But after all, food is all about personal taste and some people may prefer other levels of meat doneness as shown in the table below:
| Blue rare | Very red and cold |
| Rare | Cold red centre, soft |
| Medium Rare | Warm red centre, firm |
| Medium | Pink and firm |
| Medium Well | Small amount of pink in the centre |
| Well done | Cooked completely, very firm |
Other FAQs about Meatloaf that you may be interested in.
Can you eat meatloaf without cooking?
How long does it take to cook 2 lb meatloaf in the convection oven?
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we have addressed the query, “Can I bake 2 meatloaves at the same time?” We have also discussed What is the adequate baking time for preparing 2 meatloaves simultaneously and What is the optimal temperature to bake 2 meatloaves at the same time.
Hope you found this blog useful. If you have any questions, please let us know.
References
https://www.quora.com/Can-you-cook-4-2-pound-meat-loafs-at-the-same-time
https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf39527948.tip.html
https://faq-all.com/en/Q%26A/page=d4a188c0c0f3e5ee5b2c477005468a36
https://cooking.lovetoknow.com/cooking-meat/meatloaf-cooking-times
