Instant Pot Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes: Your Ultimate One-Pot Comfort Meal

Craving classic comfort food but short on time? This Instant Pot Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes recipe is your perfect solution! Enjoy incredibly flavorful and moist meatloaf alongside creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes, all cooked together in your Instant Pot. It’s the ultimate hassle-free, one-pot meal that brings the family to the table without all the fuss.

Life can be hectic, and for many families, including mine, the thought of whipping up a hearty, homemade meal like meatloaf and mashed potatoes can feel daunting on a busy weeknight. Traditionally, meatloaf bakes in the oven for an hour or more, requiring separate pots for sides and leading to a mountain of dishes. But what if I told you there’s a way to enjoy this beloved comfort food classic much faster and with significantly less cleanup? Enter the Instant Pot – your culinary superhero!

This innovative Instant Pot recipe for meatloaf and mashed potatoes changes the game. With just about 20 minutes of initial prep work and a mere 25 minutes of active cooking time in your Instant Pot, you’ll achieve a perfectly tender, delicious meatloaf and velvety, creamy mashed potatoes. That’s a major win in my book! Not only does it save precious time, but cooking everything in one pot also drastically reduces the post-dinner dishwashing, giving you more time to relax and enjoy with your loved ones.

If you love easy, hearty meals, you might also enjoy our family-favorite Baked Ziti, which doubles as a fantastic freezer meal. Or for another incredibly simple cleanup option, try this Sheet Pan Parmesan Chicken and Veggies. But for truly classic comfort with modern convenience, this Instant Pot duo is unbeatable.

Why You Will Love This Instant Pot Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes Recipe

This recipe isn’t just about saving time; it’s about elevating your weeknight meals to something truly special. Here’s why this Instant Pot meatloaf and mashed potatoes will become a staple in your kitchen:

• The meatloaf is consistently tender and incredibly moist! One of the biggest complaints about traditional meatloaf is its tendency to dry out. The Instant Pot uses steam and pressure to infuse the meatloaf with moisture, resulting in a perfectly juicy texture every single time – say goodbye to dry, crumbly meatloaf forever!
• This is a fantastic and naturally gluten-free meal! You heard that right – we skip the traditional breadcrumbs and use quick oats as a binder, making this a delicious and safe option for those with gluten sensitivities or preferences.
• Cooking the meatloaf and potatoes together in one pot significantly cuts down on both preparation time and the number of dishes you’ll need to wash. This integrated cooking method is the secret to its weeknight appeal, streamlining your cooking process from start to finish.
• It’s so straightforward and easy to make that you can effortlessly add it to your rotation any night of the week, even when your schedule is packed. Enjoy homemade comfort without the stress!

Key Ingredients for Instant Pot Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes

One of the best aspects of this recipe is its reliance on readily available, wholesome ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is important:

• GROUND BEEF: For this Instant Pot recipe, I recommend using a leaner ground beef, such as 85% lean. Unlike oven baking where fat is often relied upon for moisture, the Instant Pot’s sealed, steamy environment naturally keeps the meatloaf incredibly moist. I’ve even had great success with 90% lean beef, so don’t hesitate to go leaner if you prefer!
• ONION, ONION POWDER, GARLIC POWDER, SALT, AND PEPPER: These aromatic powerhouses are crucial for building a deep, savory flavor profile in your meatloaf. The minced fresh onion not only adds a lovely texture and flavor but also contributes additional moisture, while the powders ensure that delicious taste is evenly distributed throughout.
• MILK: Milk serves a dual purpose in this recipe. A portion is used in the meatloaf mixture to help moisten the oats and ensure a tender loaf. The remaining milk is essential for achieving that irresistibly creamy and smooth texture in your mashed potatoes.
• OATMEAL (QUICK OATS) AND EGGS: These are your binding agents. The quick oats, a fantastic gluten-free alternative to breadcrumbs, absorb moisture and help hold the meatloaf together without making it dense. The eggs also act as a binder, ensuring your meatloaf maintains its shape during the pressure cooking process.
• POTATOES: Any variety of potatoes you have on hand will work wonderfully, but starchy potatoes like Russets or Yukon Golds are ideal for a creamy mash. The choice to peel them or not is entirely yours – leaving the skins on adds rustic charm and extra fiber, while peeling them results in a smoother, more traditional mashed potato.
• KETCHUP, BROWN SUGAR, AND MUSTARD: These three ingredients come together to create a classic, tangy, sweet, and slightly savory glaze that elevates the meatloaf. It forms a beautiful caramelized crust and adds a burst of flavor. If you prefer your meatloaf un-glazed, feel free to skip this step.

How To Make Instant Pot Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this delicious one-pot meal in your Instant Pot is surprisingly simple. Here’s how to do it, broken down into easy steps:

• PREPARE THE POTATOES: Begin by washing your potatoes thoroughly. If you prefer, peel them using a vegetable peeler. Next, quarter and dice the potatoes into roughly 1-inch pieces. Uniform pieces are key for even cooking. Place these diced potatoes directly into the bottom of your Instant Pot insert. Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth, which will provide the liquid for pressure cooking and infuse flavor into the potatoes. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste.
• MAKE THE MEATLOAF: In a large mixing bowl, combine all the meatloaf ingredients: minced onion, quick oats, ¼ cup of milk, eggs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Give this mixture a good stir and let it stand for about 5 minutes. This allows the oats to fully absorb some of the liquid, which helps create a more tender and cohesive meatloaf. Now, add the ground beef to the bowl. Using your hands, mix the ingredients just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough meatloaf. Gently form the mixture into a compact, round loaf shape. Place this meatloaf onto a large piece of heavy-duty foil. Carefully wrap the edges of the foil up around the sides of the meatloaf, creating a sturdy tray to hold the loaf and prevent it from falling apart into the potatoes.
• PRESSURE COOK: Gently place the foil-wrapped meatloaf on top of the seasoned potatoes in the Instant Pot. Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and turn the sealing valve to the “Sealing” position. Cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to do a 10-minute natural release. This means you do nothing and let the pressure naturally decrease for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully turn the sealing valve to “Venting” to quick-release any remaining pressure.
• FOR THE FINISH: Carefully remove the meatloaf from the Instant Pot. If you’re using the glaze, in a small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard, then brush this delicious mixture evenly over the top of the hot meatloaf. Do not drain the liquid from the potatoes – that flavorful broth is essential! Add the remaining ½ cup of milk and the butter to the cooked potatoes. Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes to your desired consistency – smooth or with a few delightful lumps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Instant Pot Meatloaf

Expert Tips and Suggestions for Success

To ensure your Instant Pot Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes turn out perfectly every time, keep these valuable tips in mind:

• Don’t Overmix the Meatloaf: When combining your meatloaf ingredients, mix just until everything is incorporated. Overmixing can develop the proteins in the meat too much, resulting in a dense and tough meatloaf rather than a tender one. Gentle handling is key to a moist and flavorful result.
• Always Do the Natural Release! The 10-minute natural release is a crucial step when cooking meat in the Instant Pot. This allows the internal temperature of the meat to slowly equalize, preventing the meat from seizing up and becoming tough. A quick release with meat will almost always result in a drier, chewier texture.
• If You Want to Skip the Potatoes: While cooking the meatloaf and potatoes together is part of this recipe’s charm, you can absolutely make just the meatloaf. However, you will still need to add liquid to the Instant Pot (typically 1 cup of water) to allow it to come to pressure. In this case, place the foil-wrapped meatloaf on the trivet that came with your Instant Pot to keep it elevated out of the water.
• Choosing Your Meat: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ground meats! This recipe works beautifully with ground beef, pork, turkey, or even a combination. As mentioned, the Instant Pot excels at keeping meat moist, so lean ground meat is a perfectly suitable and healthy choice here.
• Enhancing Your Mashed Potatoes: For an extra boost of flavor and creaminess, consider replacing some or all of the milk with sour cream or cream cheese. Adding 1 or more teaspoons of garlic powder directly to the potatoes during mashing can also impart a wonderful savory depth. Freshly minced chives or other fresh herbs like dill or parsley are another fantastic addition for brightness and aroma.
• Optional Browning: If you desire a browned crust on your meatloaf (which the Instant Pot doesn’t naturally create), you can carefully transfer the cooked meatloaf to a baking sheet and broil it in the oven for 3-5 minutes after applying the glaze, watching carefully to prevent burning.

What To Serve With Instant Pot Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes

One of the many benefits of this Instant Pot meal is that you’ve already got your main dish and a hearty side of mashed potatoes all ready from one pot! To complete your meal, adding a fresh, green vegetable is a perfect complement. Here are some fantastic pairing suggestions:

• Simple Roasted Green Beans: Our Simple Roasted Green Beans offer a crisp texture and vibrant color that beautifully contrasts the richness of the meatloaf and potatoes. They’re easy to prepare and a family favorite.
• Fresh Side Salad: For a lighter, refreshing option, a simple mixed green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a lovely balance and a fresh crunch.
• Lemon Parmesan Roasted Broccoli: If you’re looking for a vegetable with a bit more zing, this Lemon Parmesan Roasted Broccoli offers a delicious blend of savory and citrusy notes that brightens the entire plate.
• Honey Garlic Roasted Carrots: For a touch of sweetness and earthy flavor, try these Honey Garlic Roasted Carrots. They add a pop of color and a subtly sweet, caramelized taste that pairs wonderfully with the savory meatloaf.
• Easy Mushroom Gravy: While the Instant Pot meatloaf is delicious on its own, a drizzle of our Easy Mushroom Gravy over both the meatloaf and potatoes can take this comfort meal to an even higher level of indulgence.

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