This is part of my ongoing series where you ask for it and I make. I’m calling it Martha on Demand and the idea is that I’ll be your guinea pig and try any Martha recipe you suggest so you can see if it’s worth making (if you have a request, leave a comment!). Almost Slowfood suggested I make Mrs. Kostyra’s Meatloaf. Mrs. Kostyra was Martha’s mom (Big Martha, as she called her) and often appeared on her show to make her recipes, and so far every one I have tried has been very good. I hadn’t tried her meatloaf though, so this was a fun experiment for me. I don’t make a lot of meatloaf. In fact, I hardly ever make it. And when I do I have two recipes. One is a turkey and rice meatloaf that I stick some veggies in and serve with a cheese sauce. The other is meatloaf the way my mom taught me, which is just a lot of dumping – ground beef, breadcrumbs, ketchup, onion, herbs, cheese, Worchestershire with mozzarella on top.
Martha’s meatloaf is truly fantastic. I think I like it more than the way my mom taught me. It comes out dense and moist. It’s even better cold the next day for lunch. I cut the recipe in half and it made enough for 4 people. It was pretty easy to make, even if it involves chopping some veggies (carrots, celery, onion, garlic). I think that using some real bread instead of breadcrumbs really adds to the flavor and texture as well. The only thing missing in my opinion is cheese. I missed the mozzarella on top and so if I make this again, I will probably add that to it, but otherwise I thought it was truly fantastic.
Martha and Me 
We have never had meatloaf in our house, but now that you have tried it I can guarantee that the Singer household will be eating this soon. What did you serve it with?
How funny Pru, but it strikes me as a very American thing. Meatloaf goes well with potatoes. I made twice baked potatoes with this and had some veggies – I don’t remember clearly since it was last week but it might have been asparagus and peas.
Sounds good! My mom had her special way to make meatloaf too. I like the idea of cheese on top. My mom always put ketchup mixed with brown sugar on top and even as a kid the topping was too sweet for me. I never use ground beef so my meatloaf is different. I’ll have to try this one too…with cheese!
I love love meatloaf & my mother, if she were alive, would die again. I used to hide it in my napkin & then secretly flush it down the toilet when my parents weren’t looking! I actually have a wonderful turkey meatloaf recipe that actually tastes just like regular meatloaf and is half the calories and fat. Even my picky husband liked it! Let me know if you want the recipe. I’ll send you the link for it. I’m sure it was from one of the cooking mags.
Yes, I would love the recipe. Thanks!
So glad you tried it!! I actually detest meatloaf in general, but baby girl’s babysitter insisted this was wonderful and she’s totally totally right!!!!
It was a great suggestion – thank you!
Sounds good…not to me (I happen to say yuck to meatloaf), but I’m going to pass this on to my sister, who is always searching for the perfect meatloaf.
My husband loves meatloaf. I use the recipe on the back of the dry onion soup box, but will have to try this one!
This might be too vague, but I’d really like to know what Martha Stewart Recipe is the best for cakes. Sometimes her recipes just taste like butter, I like fudgier icings.
For frosting? I can definitely investigate that. I’ve made a few but can try some others to see.
I will save this recipe for fall. Too hot for meatloaf right now here! Does Martha have a recipe for bean salad with mint???
I’ll check and see – thanks for the suggestion
Totally want to make this BUT NOT NOW. It’s too hot in Ashland to bake meatloaf. Will definitely try it when the weather cools off a bit! Just posted the URL to Facebook also, since it sounds so good!!
Thanks!
I know you just bravely tried Martha’s vegetarian burger, but I’m wondering: does she have a vegetarian (so to speak) meatloaf? that’d be interesting.
also, we tend to eat soups any time of year here, so veg soup and/or bean soup recipe tryouts would be welcome — though I understand if you want to save that for autumn and winter!
I really like reading your take on the recipes. It’s very interesting!
Thanks Kerry – great ideas. I’ve actually been looking for a good bean soup recipe for quite a while. My MIL once gave me a mix that had the beans with it and it was really, really good and I’ve never been able to duplicate it.
Thanks
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i would love a GREAT recipe for vegetable soup, stuffed cabbage and sauerbrauten. thank you.