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.

At just 6 SmartPoints per slice on the myWW Green plan and 5 SmartPoints per slice on the myWW Blue & myWW Purple plans 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 SmartPoints.

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

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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.

The breadcrumbs worked out at 7 SmartPoints for the 100g (approx 1 cup) that were needed for this recipe.

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 SmartPoints 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, serve this meatloaf with mashed potato and peas or sweetcorn for no additional SmartPoints if following the Purple plan.

If you are following the Green plan or Blue plan and serve the meatloaf with mashed potato you will need to work out the SmartPoints for this separately.

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 SmartPoints.

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.

SmartPoints in Meatloaf

As I am sure you are aware Weight Watchers changed their program at the end of 2019.

It now includes 3 individual plans, giving anyone following the WW program lots of choice about how they use their SmartPoint allocation.For more information about the new myWW plan see What is the New Weight Watchers Plan?

Using the official WW recipe builder I have 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

What is the serving size?

This meatloaf serves 8!

Please be aware that I have calculated the Weight Watchers SmartPoints based on the individual ingredients used to make this recipe and not from the nutritional information that is found in the recipe card below.

I did this using the Official WW recipe builder.

The way that I have calculated the SmartPoints takes into consideration zero point foods and is the way that WW SmartPoint values are worked out!