Published: · Modified: by Emily Criswell · I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article · 59 Comments
This homestyle, classic, REAL FOOD, Low Carb Keto Veggie-Packed Meatloaf is absolutely delicious, succulent and total comfort food. It's jam-packed with vegetables, healthy fats and absolutely no flour.
this RECIPE
Meatloaf is total comfort food.
It's a family favorite in my home. My husband LOVES meatloaf and my Tiny Love devours it. It's one of those meals that is super comforting at the end of a long day.
It's a humble meal, certainly not elegant, but still delicious and gives you that cozy feeling.
Meatloaf makes me think of my childhood and my mom.
It was a staple in our home and my mom made it at least once a month. Her meatloaf wasn't anything fancy, just a classic, basic meatloaf with lots of ketchup on top. Always LOTS of ketchup.
My mom loved ketchup on many foods because it was something that got her by as a child. She had told me that her mother wasn't the best cook (even though she adored her mom), so ketchup helped make the food more palatable.
When it came to my mom's meatloaf, there was always that beautiful layer of ketchup on the top.That was my favorite part and still is!
We almost always had mashed potatoes and buttered peas to go with our meatloaf. AND ... more ketchup on the side to dip it in of course.
Homestyle Real Food Meatloaf with Quality Whole Food Ingredients
Now don't get me wrong, I loved my mom's meatloaf as a young girl, but my palate has expanded since then. I make my version similar to my mom's good ole recipe, but I've real foodified it a bit.
I love to pack some nourishing, good stuff into the meatloaf. For me this always means adding in some vegetables and herbs. I love to pack it full with carrots, onion, garlic, thyme and zucchini {or sometimes spinach or kale}. Don't worry, the flavor of the carrots and zucchini does not stand out.
Keep it simple with healthy fats and no grains!
To help keep the meatloaf super soft and succulent, I add cultured sour cream.And last, but not least, I always top the meatloaf with ketchup ... because it's nostalgic and fun, and my family loves it that way.
The great thing about this low carb keto veggie-packed meatloaf is that it's nourishing, full of protein, veggies and healthy fats, plus it doesn't have any grains!
Low Carb Keto Veggie-Packed Meatloaf
Yield: 8-10 slices
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 43 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 58 minutes
This homestyle, classic, REAL FOOD, Low Carb Keto Veggie-Packed Meatloaf is absolutely delicious, succulent and total comfort food. It's jam-packed with vegetables, healthy fats and absolutely no flour.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon healthy fat of choice like grass-fed butter, ghee, avocado oil
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 5-6 fresh garlic cloves, roughly chopped or minced
- 3 medium organic carrots, finely grated
- 1 zucchini, finely grated
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 ½ teaspoon sea salt (this is my favorite sea salt)
- 1 pound grass-fed ground beef
- 1 pastured or organic egg
- ¾ cup sour cream (I use Nancy's brand)
- ½ cup shredded organic or grass-fed cheese
- ½ cup homemade ketchup or organic sugar-free ketchup (check ingredients!)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Heat fat of choice in medium sauté pan over medium heat. Add onions stirring occasionally until translucent, but not brown, about 7-8 minutes.
- Add garlic and allow to cook for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add grated carrots, zucchini, thyme, and sea salt. Stir occasionally just until vegetables are soft, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add groundbeef, egg, sour cream, cheese and slightly cooled vegetables. Use a fork or clean hands to mix well.
- Place meat mixture into a loaf pan, a shallow 7x11 pan or shape into a rectangle loaf on a parchment paper lined sheet pan.
- Spread ketchup over the top of the meatloaf mixture.
- Bake the meatloaf for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until the internal temperature is 160 degrees F and the meat is cooked through. [Note: A 7x11 shallow pan will cook in about 1 hour, a loaf pan will take closer to 1 ½ hours.]
- Let the meatloaf rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
YOU WILL NEED:Cutting Board, Grater,Large Mixing Bowl, Sauté Pan, Loaf Pan orShallow 7x11 Pan
- My family loves and uses pasture-raised regenerative chicken from U.S. family run farms, delivered straight to your doorstep, at affordable wholesale prices. Get 20% OFF for Life + Free Shipping for Life + $15 OFF your first box here - no code needed.
- Spinach or Dino kale can be substituted for the zucchini. If using kale, use about5 large Dino kale leaves, stems removed and chiffonade cut. If using spinach, use about 2 cups fresh spinach as spinach really shrinks when cooked. Add spinach or kale to the cooking process during Step #4.
- If you need to omit the egg, use a total of 1 cup/8 ounces sour cream instead of ¾ cup sour cream.
- For Keto and Low Carb- make sure to use a cheese that is appropriate like aged cheddar, mozzarella, Colby or Monterey jack.
- For STRICT Keto Low Carb- Carrots and onions should only be enjoyed in moderation, since they are higher in carbs. If you need stricter Keto Low Carb, you can omit the carrots and onion and replace the carrots with finely chopped white mushrooms and either omit the onion completely or replace with chopped green onions.
Serving Suggestions:Serve as is or withmashed potatoes,potato salad,celery root mash, green peas or green beans,roastedbroccoli, sautéed greens or a simple salad(note- some of these side dish suggestions are not Low Carb or Keto).
Recommended Products
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 226Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 622mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 14g
This nutritional information was auto-generated based on serving size, number of servings, and typical information for the ingredients listed. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circ*mstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Are you onPinterest? I pinlots of yummy real food recipes + more there.
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About Emily Criswell
Emily Criswell is a chocolate- and sweet treat-loving, holistic-minded mom of 4. She's a 4-time cookbook author -The Art of Great Cooking withYour Instant Pot {ranked in Amazon's top 10 new releases - gluten free recipes}, Amazing Mexican Favorites with Your Instant Pot{ranked as a #1 New Release BEST SELLER!}, Low-Carb Cooking with Your Instant Pot, The Big Book of Instant Pot Recipes, food photographer, homeschooler and the founder of Recipes to Nourish, a gluten-free blog focusing on real food and natural living. She works to empower her readers by showing them that there is a healthier way to eat and live. Her passion is to make healthy, natural living as uncomplicated and enjoyable as possible.Find Emily’s latest recipes and natural living tips atRecipes to Nourish. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram,Pinterest, Twitterand YouTube plus grab her free eBookHolistic Tips to Keep Your Family Healthy. Read more >>About Emily.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Chrystal @ Gluten-Free Palate
I would have never have thought to put kale in my meatloaf. Love it! It's a great way to sneak in veggies and my kids wouldn't even know!
Thank you,
ChrystalReply
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Yes! It's so yummy, I love hiding veggies in meatloaf 🙂
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Megan
My son can't do beef and I miss it so much. This sounds amazing, especially by sneaking in so many veggies. Enjoy it for me!!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Allergies and sensitivities can be so challenging. I can relate for sure.
candy
I add spinach to our meatloaf, kale would work.
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
I love spinach too 🙂
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linda spiker
My husband would flip for this!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
🙂 my husband always goes back for a second plate when I make it
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Beth
We love meatloaf! I always double so I can add in some ground liver without it tasting too strong.
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
That's a great idea!
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Tash
You had me at cultured sour cream! No, but really, meatloaf is the bomb dot com. Always ugly, but always amazingly delicious! Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
LOL so true!!! It's just really not a pretty food 🙂
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Megan Stevens
I love how this looks; and I love the sour cream and cassava you used! Must make!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thank you! xo
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The Food Hunter
I've got to try this! My husband would love it.
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
🙂 it's my husband's favorite
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Jolene @ Yummy Inspirations
Looks so good! My kids would love this! 🙂
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thank you 🙂
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Lindsey Dietz
I want some of that with a side of cauli-tatoes!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
That sounds so good! 🙂
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Evelyn
This is a very healthy meatloaf. I've been wanting to make meatloaf, so now I have a recipe that has one of my favorite greens, Kale and I know I will like this. Looks so yummy and beautiful!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thank you Evelyn, I love kale too 🙂
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Carol@studiobotanica
Craving MeatLoaf.
Will make your recipe! It brings back so many childhood memories and this is very close to the one I grew up with!
THANK you!!
I am sure it will be delicious!Reply
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
I love that meatloaf brings up childhood memories for so many people 🙂
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Rachel
I love to sneak organ meat into my meatloaf. Makes it REALLY nourishing!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Sneaking liver in is a great way to add some nutrients.
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Andrea Wyckoff
You said it right, "Meatloaf is total comfort food." It was a staple when I was growing up too, with ketchup on top of course!! I can no longer tolerate tomatoes 🙁 so these days I top it with homemade dark cherry or black currant BBQ sauce, and all is well again!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Oh wow, that sounds AMAZING Andrea!!! I want that!
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Tessa Simpson
MMM!! Love the combo here...sour cream!! A new one for me in a meatloaf, and I love all the healthy veggie options!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
It's SO good in meatloaf! 🙂
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Kari - Get Inspired Everyday!
I love veggies in my meatloaf, and that glaze looks so scrumptious! My mom always put carrots, celery and zucchini in meatloaf growing up, so I didn't know any different that meatloaf wasn't usually veggie packed! 🙂
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
That's so great that she did that! I just know my mom loaded up on the ketchup lol 🙂
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ChihYu
YUM looks so delicious and love how simple it is, too !
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks! 🙂 xo
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Megan Stevens
I am all about meatloaf and comfort foods!! This recipe is so special, can't wait to make it! Love all those veggies in there; that's new to me!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
🙂 meatloaf really is a special comfort food. I hope your family gets to enjoy some.
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Adrienne (Whole New Mom)
Oh this is just great! Someone was asking me about hidden veggie recipes so this is perfect for her!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks so much Adrienne! I hope she enjoys it. 🙂
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Yang
Now your meatloaf is really making me hungry! I love the extra vegetables in there. I find a piece of solid meat too heavy for me these days and I so appreciate your meatloaf recipe packed with zucchini and carrots 🙂
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Renee Kohley
I'm so ready for meatloaf season Emily! This is such a great recipe that I can feel good about feeding my family - great addition to my meal plan - thank you!
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Jean
This meatloaf looks so good! Such an interesting method to add sour cream. I bet that makes an awesome texture and I can't wait to try it!
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Irena Macri
This was delicious! Made it for some friends who are doing keto and it was a total winner. Love the veggies hiding inside too.
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Katja
I haven't made meatloaf in forever. Your version looks so good. On the calendar to make this week. Thanks! Love all the veggies.
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Joni
This meatloaf looks so juicy!! I will be trying this soon.
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Melissa @Real Nutritious Living
All the veggies! YUM!
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Raia Todd
I LOVE all the veggies in this! Such a good way to sneak them in to kiddos' diets. 🙂
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Kathryn
This is the ultimate comfort food! And I love all the veggies you've included in this recipe! So delicious!
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Lindsey Dietz
I admit I'm not a meatloaf fan, but I LOVE recipes with lots of hidden veggies! I'm always open to trying again, so I'll give your recipe a shot! Love that bright red sauce on top, too!
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Yvonne
I love all the hidden veggies in this meatloaf recipe. I can't wait to make this for my husband.
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Anna
What a great recipe!! My husband has newly started following a keto lifestyela and this is a great recipe to have up my sleeve!
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Kari - Get Inspired Everyday!
Meatloaf really is the ultimate comfort food, and I love that yours is veggie packed! I had no idea you could buy sugar free ketchup, definitely going on the list this week!
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Tatiana
I like how you used all high quality ingredients here, it makes the meatloaf absolutely delicious and healthy .
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Cristina Curp
The sour cream in this seems like a delicious addition! I'm printing this recipe out for JAck and Justin to make while I'm out of town next week. I'm such a bummer for the boys with my nightshade and dairy intolerances lol But these flavors... I can tell its delicious!
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Darryl
I’ve never had meatloaf much but I do love the texture! Let me at it!
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STACEY CRAWFORD
I love being able to sneak veggies into a delicious recipe like this one.
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Gary West
This was excellent! the Veggie made it. thank you for this recipe
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Kayla
This was delicious. I used ground Turkey and added mushrooms to use what I had on hand. Zucchini and carrots, onions and garlic you should only expect delicious flavor! Thank you!
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Anne Acacia
This is the best meatloaf I have ever made! Although my husband does not have the health issues that I do, he also loves this recipe. It is now one of my “go to” favorites. Thank you, Emily!
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Emily Vidaurri
Hi Anne, thank you so much for the kind words! I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed it so much. 💜
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