This low-carb meatloaf recipe will satisfy your comfort food cravings without sacrificing your health goals. It’s delicious, nutritious, and easy to make.
This recipe has been updated with new photos and some ingredient tweaks. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do.
Way back when I was newly married and wasn’t as experienced a cook as I am now, there was one dinner recipe that always gave me trouble. Meatloaf. I tried many different recipes, but the meatloaf would just fall apart or the taste was “meh!”
Then my church put together a cookbook that everyone in the congregation contributed to. I was flipping through the recipes when I came across one called “Everybody’s Favorite Meatloaf.” It sounded too good to be true. I had to give it a try.
The meatloaf came out of the oven looking beautiful, but I held my breath as I sliced it. Phew — at least it didn’t fall apart. Then I tasted it. Yum, we had a winner. It’s been my standby meatloaf recipe ever since.
When my family started following a gluten-free diet, I was worried that we wouldn’t be able to eat meatloaf anymore. Meatloaf was one of my go-to dinners, and everyone loved it.
Not to fear. I was able to tweak the recipe and adapt it with gluten-free breadcrumbs. Easy gluten free meatloaf was one of the first recipes I published on the blog and proved to be very popular, even going viral on Pinterest.
Introducing the best low carb meatloaf yet
Fast forward to today. Now that John and I are following a low-carb diet, it’s time to adapt the recipe once again and get rid of those breadcrumbs for good.
But why stop there?
Why not turn this already amazing recipe into one of the most delicious and nutritious meatloaf recipes yet?
Love hearty ground beef recipes? You’ll find these 22 Keto Recipes With Ground Beef irresistible, with plenty of delicious options to try.
Okay. Follow these simple steps to make your standout meatloaf.
Instructions
*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post. Please Note: The links are affiliate links which means I will earn a small commission if you buy the item at no extra cost to you.
Today, I’m taking that beloved meatloaf recipe to a whole new level. Cauliflower rice is our substitute for the bread crumbs. Cauliflower keeps our meatloaf juicy.
Give the cauliflower a quick spin in your food processor just until it is minced. You’ll need just two and a quarter cups.
Then mix in with the hearty ground beef, tasty onions, parmesan cheese (I use aged Parmigiano Reggiano), and rosemary.
I season the mixture with pink Himalayan salt and pepper.
Then when the meatloaf is almost ready, I brush tomato paste on top. (My original recipe called for ketchup, but I want to avoid extra sugar here.)
And, finally, I have one more delicious surprise for you: spicy mayo.
Spicy mayo
Yes, you could serve this meatloaf with a traditional gravy. But spicy mayo made with mayonnaise and Sriracha sauce is a fun way to add another burst of flavor.
Sriracha sauce is a hot sauce popular in Thai cuisine. You can control the heat of your spicy mayo by adding as much or as little Sriracha as you like to your mayonnaise.
I like mayo made with avocado oil. It has zero carbs and is sugar-free. Read my Primal Kitchen mayo full review here.
When your meatloaf comes out of the oven, let it rest before you slice it up and dig in. Then serve it with the spicy mayo.
Woo hoo! Two thumbs up from the fam.
Serving suggestions for low carb meatloaf
Keto coleslaw with sugar free dressing
Nutritious low carb soups and sides collection
Pro tips and recipe notes
- If you want to make a smaller meatloaf, the ratio should be 60% meat to 40% cauliflower: 1 1/2 cups of cauliflower to 2 pounds of meat. Be sure to adjust your cooking time, as well.
- Variation: Swap out the cauliflower for low carb ground pork rinds as I do in my pork tenderloin crispy bites. You’ll only need 3/4 cup of ground pork rinds. It’s delicious!
- You could serve this meatloaf with a traditional Au Jus Gravy. But spicy mayo made with mayonnaise and Sriracha sauce is a fun way to add another burst of flavor.
- Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze it if you want to keep it longer. Thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating.
Voilà. No-fail grain-free juicy and delicious meatloaf that is true to my original recipe, but is also low-carb. It’s an iconic comfort food that satisfies the heartiest appetite. Make it this week. You’re going to love it.
More recipes you’ll love
Low Carb Recipe Collection This is the link to all my low carb recipes.
Quick And Easy Beef Ragoût With Tomatoes And Pearl Onions Every mouthful explodes with flavor in this quick and easy stir fry.
Slow Cooker Braised Short Ribs In this recipe your meat will simmer in your slow cooker in a beautiful red wine sauce until the it’s so tender and juicy it literally falls right off the bone.
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Low Carb Meatloaf With A Delicious Twist
Ingredients
- 3 pounds ground beef 80/20 chuck is the best choice for this recipe
- 2 1/4 cups minced cauliflower
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon rosemary
- 2 teaspoons salt I used Himalayan salt
- dash of pepper
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup gluten-free tomato paste, optional Muir Glen is gluten-free
For Spicy Mayo
- 2 tablespoons of avocado mayo I highly recommend Primal Kitchen Mayo
- 1/2 tablespoon of sriracha more or less depending upon how hot you'd like your sauce Sky Valley Siracha Sauce is gluten-free.
Instructions
- Pre-heat your oven to 350℉.
- Give the cauliflower a quick spin in your food processor fitted with the large chopping blade just until it is minced. You’ll need 2 1/4 cups.2 1/4 cups minced cauliflower
- In a large bowl, combine meat, minced cauliflower, parmesan, onion, rosemary, salt, and pepper.3 pounds ground beef, ½ cup chopped onion, ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon rosemary, 2 teaspoons salt, dash of pepper
- Whisk eggs in a small bowl. Then add to the meat mixture. Mix with your hands until evenly combined.2 eggs
- I recommend using this type of broiler pan with a grid top. Line the bottom drip pan of the broiler pan with foil.
- Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape and place it on the slotted upper part of the broiler pan. This will allow the fat to drain into the bottom drip pan.
- Bake for a total of 1 1/2 hours.
- 10 minutes before it's finished baking, brush the top of the loaf with tomato paste.1/4 cup gluten-free tomato paste, optional
For Spicy Mayo
- Stir mayo and sriracha together in a small bowl.2 tablespoons of avocado mayo, 1/2 tablespoon of sriracha
- Slice and serve your meatloaf with spicy mayo sauce on the side.
Notes
- Cauliflower rice is our substitute for the bread crumbs. Cauliflower keeps our meatloaf juicy.
- If you want to make a smaller meatloaf, the ratio should be 60% meat to 40% cauliflower: 1 1/2 cups of cauliflower to 2 pounds of meat. Be sure to adjust your cooking time, as well.
- Variation: Swap out the cauliflower for low carb ground pork rinds as I do in my pork tenderloin crispy bites. You'll only need 3/4 cup of ground pork rinds. It's delicious!
- You could serve this meatloaf with a traditional Au Jus Gravy. But spicy mayo made with mayonnaise and Sriracha sauce is a fun way to add another burst of flavor.
- Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze it if you want to keep it longer. Thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
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Alberta Scott says
This meatloaf looks so yummy Can’t wait to try it, I have a brother who has to had glutien free so will sure make it for him.
Barbara says
Thanks, Alberta. I’m so glad that you’ll be making this for your brother. I hope he loves it.
I’m always here to help. Have a wonderful day!
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Cyndi Davis says
Is the cauliflower already cooked? Or raw? It sounds awesome, can’t wait to try it!
Barbara Bianchi says
Hi Cyndi,
Excellent question! There’s no need to cook the cauliflower beforehand. It “cooks” and softens as part of the meat mixture.
I hope you enjoy it. Have a great weekend.