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    Home » Meat » Best Meatloaf | Weight Watchers

    Published: Mar 11, 2020 · Updated: Nov 20, 2021 by Marianne · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Best Meatloaf | Weight Watchers

    Jump to Recipe

    This easy to make, flavourful Meatloaf recipe is perfect for anyone following the Weight Watchers program. Low in points and generous in serving size it's a no brainer for anyone wanting a WW friendly version of this American classic.

    A slice of this Meatloaf will be 5 or 6 Points on the Personal Points plan & to find out exactly how many it'll be for you & to track it in the WW App, you can click on the blue button in recipe card below!

    If you are still following the old plan, then it works out at 6 SmartPoints per slice on the myWW Green plan and 5 SmartPoints per slice on the myWW Blue & myWW Purple plans.

    Whichever plan, this recipe is sure to become a Weight Watchers favourite.

    I often get emails from people who have visited Pointed Kitchen when they are looking for WW recipe inspiration.

    Occasionally they enquire whether I have a WW friendly recipe for a particular dish that they are missing since starting their WW journey.

    Over the last few months, a number of people have asked whether I have a WW friendly Meatloaf recipe.

    Perhaps this is because it's such a comfort food and people need comfort at this time of the year!

    I hadn't a WW friendly version, so for weeks I have been trying out & adapting different meatloaf recipes, with varying success.

    Some have been too dry, some have lacked flavour and some have been too high is SmartPoints for my liking.

    After all this meatloaf making & eating, I am now a little tired of it to be honest 😀 but I am sure I will quickly get my taste for it back!

    This particular recipe, in my view, is the perfect combination of moistness, flavour, ease and number of Points.

    It has a tangy glaze that adds to the flavour (but importantly doesn't increase the Points too much) it is a perfect texture, not too dry but equally not moist or oily and it's very simple to make.

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit this page to see what that means.

    What breadcrumbs can I use?

    For this recipe, I used low calorie sliced white bread to make the breadcrumbs.

    I toasted the slices of bread (4 slices that weighed roughly 100g in total) and then I placed the toast in my Ninja Food Processor to make the crumbs.

    You could use Panko breadcrumbs instead but you would need to check the nutritional information for the brand that you use first. Most come out between 8 - 10 Points per 100g.

    Why grate the onions?

    I wanted the flavour of onion in this meatloaf but did not want to be biting down on bits of chopped onion in the cooked loaf!

    By grating the onion, the flavour is spread through the meatloaf evenly & to be honest, I also find grating an onion less time consuming than finely chopping it!

    Seasoning the Meatloaf

    As the meatloaf recipe included Worcestershire sauce and crumbled stock/bouillon cubes, both of which are salty, I did not feel that the recipe needed any further salt added.

    However, if you were to use low sodium stock/bouillon cubes you may feel the need to add a little salt to bring out the flavours.

    Tips for making this dish?

    This meatloaf is just so simple to make but there are a few suggestions to make it perfectly each time.

    Place the ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, crumbled stock/bouillon cubes, grated onion, minced garlic, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, milk, pepper and chopped parsley (if using) into a bowl (picture 1).

    Combine the ingredients using a wooden spoon or even better use your hands to squidge it all together.

    Grease a loaf tin using the calorie controlled spray oil, making sure that you get right into the corners of the tin.

    Tip the meat mixture into the tin and press it down firmly. Smooth out the top so that there are no cracks or lumps or bumps (picture 3).

    The glaze is made by combining the remaining tomato ketchup, vinegar, mustard and sugar (picture 2).

    Spread half of the glaze over the top of the meatloaf. The remaining glaze is used as a 'top up' towards the end of the cooking time.

    Once cooked, leave the meatloaf to sit for 10 minutes or so to settle before slicing.

    Serving suggestions?

    For the ultimate comfort dinner, I like to serve this meatloaf with mashed potato and peas or sweetcorn

    Alternatively, if you are following any of the plans you could serve this meatloaf with this Mashed Celeriac or this Roasted Butternut Squash Mash for no additional Points.

    Can I freeze any leftovers?

    Yes, you can freeze leftovers!

    Cool the meatloaf completely before portioning it up into freezer safe food storage bags.

    I particularly like to use re-useable bags that are dishwasher safe, like these ones available from Amazon.

    Defrost in the fridge and reheat till piping hot before serving.

    How long will it last in the fridge?

    This meatloaf will keep, properly stored, in the fridge for 3 or 4 days.

    What is the serving size?

    This meatloaf serves 8!

    SmartPoints in Meatloaf

    If you still follow the old SmartPoints plan:

    Using the official WW recipe builder I worked out the SmartPoints for this Meatloaf for each of the plans.

    • myWW Green Plan - 6 SmartPoints per serving
    • myWW Blue Plan - 5 SmartPoints per serving
    • myWW Purple Plan - 5 SmartPoints per serving
    • old Freestyle Plan - 5 SmartPoints per serving

    Personal Points in this Meatloaf

    If you follow the new WW Personal Points plan, a slice of this Mealoaf will be between 5 and 6 Personal Points. To find out how many Personal Points this recipe will be for you, click on the WW Personal Points button in the recipe card below. You can now even track it in the WW App straight from this site! 

    Best Meatloaf | Weight Watchers

    Marianne
    This easy to make, moist & flavourful meatloaf is perfect for anyone wanting a healthier version of this American classic. Perfect for anyone following the Weight Watchers plan, low in WW Personal Points. It was just 6 SmartPoints on the Green plan and 5 SmartPoints on the Blue or Purple plan.
    4.36 from 68 votes
    Print Recipe Add to WW App Add to WW App (UK)
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Additional Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 2 hours hrs
    Course dinner
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 255 kcal

    Equipment

    • Cuisinart AMB-9LP 9-Inch Chef's Classic Nonstick Bakeware Loaf Pan, Silver

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 35 oz extra lean ground beef / mince (1kg) 5% fat
    • 4 slices low calorie bread toasted & made into breadcrumbs *
    • 2 medium eggs
    • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 medium onion grated
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 2 beef stock cubes / bouillon cubes crumbled
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ⅓ cup skimmed milk (70ml)
    • 6 tablespoons Heinz tomato ketchup - 50% less sugar or no sugar added divided
    • 1 handful fresh chopped parsley chopped (optional)
    • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
    • 1 - 2 tablespoon yellow mustard
    • 5 sprays of calorie controlled spray oil

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 180°C / 160°C Fan / 350°F.
    • Use 5 pumps of calorie controlled spray oil to grease a loaf tin (approx 9 inches by 5 inches)
    • Place the ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, grated onion, minced garlic, black pepper, crumbled stock cubes/bouillon, milk and 2 tablespoons of the tomato ketchup into a large bowl.
    • Mix with a wooden spoon (or your hands if you prefer) to combine all of the ingredients.
    • Stir in the chopped parsley if using.
    • The mixture will be wet but this leads to a moist, succulent meatloaf that is less inclined to crumble once cooked.
    • Place the meat loaf mixture into the pre greased loaf tin and smooth the top.
    • Mix the remaining 4 tablespoons of ketchup with the sugar, white wine vinegar and mustard to make a glaze.
    • Spread half of the glaze on top of the meatloaf and set aside the rest for later.
    • Place the meatloaf on the middle shelf of the preheated oven and cook for 50 minutes.
    • Remove the meatloaf from the oven and spread over the remaining glaze.
    • Place back in the oven for a further 25 minutes.
    • Remove from the oven and let the loaf stand for 10 minutes or so before slicing it into 8 generous slices.

    Notes

    * Please read notes above about breadcrumbs.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Best Meatloaf | Weight Watchers
    Serving Size
     
    1
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    255
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    8
    g
    12
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    19
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    1
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    118
    mg
    39
    %
    Sodium
     
    651
    mg
    28
    %
    Potassium
     
    546
    mg
    16
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    12
    g
    4
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    5
    g
    6
    %
    Protein
     
    30
    g
    60
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    129
    IU
    3
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    2
    mg
    2
    %
    Calcium
     
    63
    mg
    6
    %
    Iron
     
    4
    mg
    22
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Keyword skinnier meatloaf, weight watchers dinners, ww meatloaf
    Tried this recipe?Mention @PointedKitchen or tag #pointedkitchen!

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    Comments

    1. Jan Canning says

      March 15, 2020 at 12:28 pm

      I made this meatloaf last night,and it was so tender and juicy. My husband kept commenting on how good it was while we were eating. Thank you for this great recipe.

      Reply
      • Marianne says

        March 15, 2020 at 12:40 pm

        Jan
        Thank you so much for your comments.
        I am so pleased that you and your husband enjoyed the meatloaf.
        Best of luck with your WW journey.
        Marianne x

        Reply
    2. Gemma says

      March 17, 2020 at 1:34 am

      I love meatloaf, but I’ve never thought to grate the onions! That’s genius!! I can’t get enough of onions, but grating they would be so much better to prevent chunks of onion inside the loaf! Thanks so much for sharing that great tip (and delicious recipe) xo

      Reply
      • Marianne says

        March 17, 2020 at 1:02 pm

        Hi Gemma

        Thank you so much for your message.
        Glad you like the recipe 😀
        Best of luck with your WW journey.
        Kindest regards
        Marianne x

        Reply
    3. Mary E Kipp McGrover says

      August 20, 2020 at 2:23 pm

      4 stars
      I followed the recipe exactly. Very flavorful and moist. the serving size was filling. My husband enjoyed it . Will definitely make again

      Reply
    4. Will says

      October 22, 2020 at 4:37 pm

      Hi there! Do you think this could work with almond milk instead of skim milk? I don't really drink dairy products, so I wouldn't want to buy a carton of milk for it to go to waste. 🙂

      Reply
      • Marianne says

        October 23, 2020 at 9:57 am

        Hi Will
        Yes this recipe works with Almond milk - I've sometimes used it when I haven't any other milk in the house.
        I hope you enjoy it and best of luck with your WW journey.
        Kindest regards
        Marianne

        Reply
    5. Erica says

      November 04, 2020 at 9:35 pm

      Can I substitute something else for the milk entirely?

      Reply
      • Marianne says

        November 05, 2020 at 5:18 pm

        Hi Erica
        Yes you can - you could just use water or you could try a non dairy milk substitute such as almond milk if you prefer.
        I hope that helps
        Best of luck with your WW journey.
        Kindest regards
        Marianne

        Reply
    6. Kristen says

      December 08, 2020 at 3:02 pm

      I don’t have bouillon. Can I leave it out or substitute with something else?

      Reply
      • Marianne says

        December 08, 2020 at 5:02 pm

        Hi Kristen

        Unfortunately, the bouillon gives the meatloaf a lot of its flavour so I wouldn't suggest omitting without substituting something else.

        If you don't have bouillon or stock cube you could try some other kind of seasoning (poultry seasoning perhaps or BBQ seasoning!). You won't get the same flavor but you might invent something delicious!

        You get a lot of salt from the bouillon so make sure if you are going to omit it and not replace it that you add a little salt.

        I hope that helps!

        Best of luck with your WW journey.

        Kind regards
        Marianne

        Reply
    7. Claudia says

      December 08, 2020 at 6:16 pm

      How much of the Panko bread crumbs can I use instead of the bread?

      Reply
      • Michele F says

        December 10, 2020 at 4:05 pm

        1 cup according to Google

        Reply
    8. Luna Regina says

      December 29, 2020 at 4:28 am

      Thanks for sharing. This meatloaf looks delicious, and it's always great to have a healthier alternative.

      Reply
      • Kathleen says

        March 22, 2021 at 7:46 am

        Hi! This looks soon good! Can't wait to try it. I never buy bullion cubes cuz the salt is so high. But I do have better then billion and wondering to replace with that .. if so I'm assuming one teaspoon per cube? Thanks! Looks so
        delish!

        Reply
    9. Patrish says

      June 24, 2021 at 5:20 pm

      I haven’t made this yet but I will. Can I make a suggestion? I recently discovered how to make garbanzo bean bread crumbs. It has been a game changer!! It is 0 pts. I use in anything requiring breadcrumbs and you’d never know. You can go online for a recipe. I make a batch and freeze.

      Reply
    10. Jean says

      June 08, 2023 at 9:08 pm

      I love this recipe one of the best I have made.

      Reply
    11. Jonnie says

      August 25, 2024 at 3:23 pm

      Years ago when I was on WW there was a recipe for meat loaf using unsweetened apple sauce instead of ketchup and it was delicious. Do you have that recipe?

      Reply

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