Table of Contents
Meatloaf is one of those classic comfort foods that everyone seems to love. But how do you know how long to cook meatloaf at 400 degrees? And what are some tips for making the perfect meatloaf? Keep reading for all of that and more!
How Long Does It Take To Cook 1 Pound Of Meatloaf At 400 Degrees?
Generally speaking, it takes about 45 minutes to an hour to cook a pound of meatloaf at 400 degrees. However, this time can vary depending on the size and shape of your meatloaf. To ensure that your meatloaf is cooked through, use a thermometer to check the internal temperature – it should reach 160°F before eating.
How Long To Cook Meatloaf At 400°F?
For the best results, bake your meatloaf at 400°F for 30 – 45 minutes. As mentioned before, use a thermometer to check the internal temperature and make sure it is at least 160°F before serving.
Baking your meatloaf in a foil-covered baking dish or pan can help keep it moist and juicy. If you’re looking to add some extra flavor, brush the top of the meatloaf with a mixture of ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce before baking.
How Long Does It Take To Cook Meatloaf Per Pound?
The cooking time for meatloaf will depend on the size and shape of your loaf. Generally, it takes about 35 to 45 minutes to cook a pound of meatloaf at 350°F.
How Long Does It Take To Cook Meatloaf In The Air Fryer At 400 Degrees?
Cooking meatloaf in the air fryer is a great way to get juicy, flavorful results in a fraction of the time. It usually takes about 25 minutes to cook a pound of meatloaf in the air fryer at 400 degrees.

How Long To Cook Meatloaf At 400? – Liliana Kitchen
What Temperature Should A 2-pound Meatloaf Be Cooked?
A two-pound meatloaf should be cooked at 350 – 375°F. Once it is cooked through, the internal temperature should reach at least 160°F.
What Is The Ideal Temperature For Cooking Meatloaf?
The ideal temperature for cooking meatloaf is 350 – 375°F. This temperature ensures that the loaf is cooked through without burning or drying out. At this temperature, a one-pound meatloaf should take about 45 minutes to cook, and a two-pound loaf will take about an hour and fifteen minutes.
Can You Prepare Meatloaf Ahead Of Time And Bake It Later?
You can prepare the meatloaf ahead of time and bake it later. Just form the loaf and place it in an air-tight container or wrap it in plastic wrap. When you are ready to cook, preheat the oven to 350 – 375°F and bake for 45 minutes or until cooked through.
How To Bake Meatloaf At 400°F?
Baking meatloaf at 400°F is a great way to get juicy and flavorful results. Just make sure to cover the top with foil or use a baking dish so that it does not burn. Are you ready to get cooking? Let’s started!
Baked Meatloaf Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef or turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs or crushed crackers
- 1 egg
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef or turkey, breadcrumbs or crushed crackers, egg, onion, Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape and place it on a greased baking sheet or in a greased baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Let the meatloaf cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 276 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 10.5 g
- Protein: 25.7 g
- Fat: 13.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.8 g
- Cholesterol: 111 mg
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Potassium: 388 mg
- Fiber: 0.8 g
- Sugar: 3.2 g
- Vitamin A: 38 IU
- Calcium: 44 mg
- Iron: 3 mg
>> Do you love meatloaf? If so, let’s have a glimpse at this simple tutorial here to know more:
What To Serve With Meatloaf?
Meatloaf is a great entree that can be served with a variety of side dishes. Some classic sides to serve with meatloaf include mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, steamed greens, and gravy. You can also pair it with rice, noodles, or a salad.
How Do You Store Meatloaf Leftovers?
Any leftover meatloaf should be stored in an airtight container and placed in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze cooked meatloaf for up to 3 months. To reheat, place the frozen loaf on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F until heated through.

How Do You Store Meatloaf Leftovers?
Can I Freeze Leftover Meatloaf?
You can freeze leftover meatloaf. To do this, place the cooled loaf in an airtight container or wrap it in plastic wrap and then foil it before freezing for up to 3 months.
When ready to eat, thaw the frozen loaf overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat it on a baking sheet at 350°F until heated through.
Do You Bake Meatloaf Covered Or Uncovered?
It is best to bake your meatloaf uncovered so that the top can get a nice, browned crust. If you feel like your loaf might be drying out too quickly, you can loosely cover it with foil during the last few minutes of baking.
How Can I Tell If My Meatloaf Is Done?
To check if the meatloaf is done, insert an instant-read thermometer into the center of the loaf. The internal temperature should be at least 160°F. If it’s not, continue baking for a few additional minutes and check again with the thermometer.
What Is The Best Way To Keep The Meatloaf Moist?
To keep the meatloaf moist, make sure to use lean ground beef or turkey and add moisture-packed ingredients like ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and vegetables. Additionally, avoid overmixing the ingredients as this will result in a dry loaf. Finally, cover the top with foil during the last few minutes of baking to help retain moisture.

What Is The Best Way To Keep The Meatloaf Moist?
More Meatloaf Recipes For Dinner
FAQs For “How Long To Cook Meatloaf At 400?”
Do you cook meatloaf at 350 or 400?
It is best to cook meatloaf at 400°F. This temperature allows the loaf to get a nice, browned crust on top while staying moist and tender inside.
Is 400 too high to cook meatloaf on?
No, 400°F is the recommended temperature for cooking meatloaf. Just make sure to keep an eye on it after about 30 minutes as it may need less time or more depending on the size of your loaf.
How long does meatloaf take to cook at 450?
It usually takes about 15 – 20 minutes to cook a meatloaf at 450°F. Use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness, as the internal temperature should be at 160°F.
How long does it take to cook a 5lb meatloaf at 400 degrees?
It usually takes about 2 hours 40 minutes – 3 hours to cook a 5 lb. meatloaf at 400°F. Use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness. Let the loaf cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Conclusion
Knowing how long to cook meatloaf at 400°F is essential for getting the juiciest, most flavorful results. Cooking meatloaf is an easy and delicious way to feed the whole family. Whether you choose to bake, air fryer, or slow cook your meatloaf, it’s important to know the best temperature and cooking time for each method.
Generally, a one-pound loaf should be cooked at 350 – 375°F for 40 – 60 minutes, and a five-pound loaf should be cooked at 400°F for 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours.
Additionally, you can experiment with different side dishes and store any leftover meatloaf in the refrigerator or freezer. With these tips, you’ll be sure to get the perfect meatloaf every time! As always, make sure to follow us at Lilianakitchen.com so that you don’t miss out on any latest posts in the future!

Ingredients
- 2 pounds of ground beef or turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs or crushed crackers
- 1 egg
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef or turkey, breadcrumbs or crushed crackers, egg, onion, Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape and place it on a greased baking sheet or in a greased baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Let the meatloaf cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For added flavor, brush the top of the meatloaf with a mixture of ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce before baking.
- If you are short on time, you can cook your meatloaf in an air fryer at 400°F for 25 minutes or until cooked through.