Have you ever had a meatloaf burned on the bottom and raw on top? It's not a tasty experience. A good meatloaf pan will have a raised ridge in the middle that helps cook the loaf evenly. Look for one made of heavyweight aluminum or stainless steel with a nonstick coating
This is important because it ensures that your meatloaf will be cooked evenly and not burned on the bottom or raw on top. A good meatloaf pan will help you avoid this problem and ensure that your meatloaf comes out perfect every time.
We've considered different aspects like temperature control, the ability to apply pressure when needed, and ease of clean-up while choosing our top picks. This review will share the pros and cons of the top meatloaf pans to help you make a better decision.
If you have a choice, it's best to go with a pan with six or more cup capacity. This will give you enough space to put your meatloaf in the pan. In the end, we have chosen the top 5 meatloaf pans.
5 Top-Rated Meatloaf Pans
1. Best Overall - Rachael Ray Meatloaf Baking Loaf Pan
Our winner, the Rachael Ray Meatloaf Pan, is the perfect pan with an insert for making meatloaves. The sturdy steel construction makes it reliable for baking and roasting, and the nonstick coating on the inside and outside of the loaf pan provides quick clean-up. The two-piece bakeware design includes a standard loaf pan and a removable insert, so you can easily make your favorite meatloaf or other dishes.
Top Pick
Great for meatloaves and more, we're giving it three thumbs up.
The large capacity easily holds a 2-pound loaf. And its intelligent two-piece design includes a standard loaf pan and a removable insert for making meatloaves. We're in love with the lift-out tray with holes in the bottom. The insert has holes that allow grease from cooking your meatloaf to drain down into the lower pan, where it can be disposed of or reused. You can even use it as an oil catch in your next batch of biscuits.
Comfortable silicone handles offer comfort and control, even with potholders or oven mitts. The wide loaf pan handles allow for easy handling, even when your hands are full. When you're done cooking, just pop it in the dishwasher!
If you want a versatile loaf pan that can go from baking bread and meatloaves in the kitchen all the way up to roasting meats on your outdoor grill, then look no further than the Rachael Ray meatloaf pan.
2. Best Ridges - Wilton Premium Meatloaf Pan Set
Meatloaf. It's a comfort food classic, but it can also be kind of a hassle to make. You have to prepare all the ingredients, whip up a delicious mixture, and then bake it for an hour. Then you've got to clean up all the grease that leaked onto your baking sheet, and you're exhausted!
With the Wilton Meatloaf Pan Set, you can cook your meatloaf in one pan and serve it in another. This means less mess in your kitchen, less time spent cleaning up after dinner, and more time spent enjoying your food!
Runner-up
A meatloaf pan with extended handles, non-stick coating and an attached drip pan for mess-free recipe preparation.
The first thing we noticed was that this set is super convenient—the drip pan and outer pan come together as one unit, so you don't have to worry about keeping the two separate when cooking. The handles are big enough to grab even while wearing oven mitts, which is great because if you've ever cooked meatloaf before, you know how much spatter there can be (and how hard it is to clean off your hands). The ridges on the top of the insert allow grease to drain into the bottom pan—even if some gets splattered on top of your loaf, it won't end up in your oven or on your countertop!
The non-stick coating on this meatloaf pan allows your food to slide or pop out easily, making cleanup almost effortless. It has two handles, so you can easily transport it from your oven to your table! And this meatloaf pan is made of durable steel that bakes dishes evenly and prevents warping.
3. Best Durable - Anolon Advanced Meatloaf Pan Set
It’s no secret that we’re big fans of this product. We’ve been using it for years and keep returning to it because it just works.
The Anolon Advanced Nonstick Bakeware Meatloaf Pan Set is made from carbon steel with a nonstick coating, so you can turn it upside down to get it out or use a utensil to lift it out of the insert pan. The inner pan sits high enough to separate the meatloaf from the grease, so you won’t have to worry about having extra fat in your meal.
Also Great
Bake mouthwatering meatloaf, cheesecake, lasagna and more all in one pan with the Analon.
It’s also warp-resistant, and its heavy-gauge steel construction resists warping and provides even heat distribution—so your meatloaf will be evenly cooked and beautiful every time.
The nonstick surface provides optimum food release; the insert helps circulate heat and air and drains unwanted fat away. This loaf pan’s wide rim and rubberized handles provide a solid grip and a comfortable grasp—which is perfect for when you’re trying to get your meatloaf out of the oven without burning yourself!
This set is again oven safe to 450°F so that you can bake all kinds of delicious things in this set: not just turkey meatloaf but also cakes, cookies, muffins… You name it!
4. Best Beginner - Amazon Basics Bread & Meat Loaf Pan
If you've been looking for a bread loaf pan that can do it all, including meatloaf, the AmazonBasics Nonstick Baking Bread Loaf Pan is the way to go. It's made of BPA-free carbon steel for reliable strength, and it features a nonstick coating for effortless food release and quick cleanup. The red silicone on the side handles offers a secure grip and helps prevent accidental burns, while the no-hole design makes it easy to drain grease away from your meatloaf or other favorite dishes.
Basic
Gets the job done.
The AmazonBasics Baking Loaf Pan can go in an oven up to 428 degrees F, but we recommend using oven mitts when handling hot pans and hand-washing them instead of putting them in the dishwasher to make them last longer.
There is no hole design in the bottom of the pans, which means some grease can get stuck in the bottom and be hard to get out. Still, for such an affordable price point and given how well-made this product is, we think it's worth it!
5. Best Many - USA Pan Aluminized 8-Well Mini Loaf Pan
Our final pick is for baby meatloaf lovers everywhere. Mini loaf pans are great for portion control or when you want to make multiple flavors at once without having leftovers (meatloaf is pretty dense, after all). This option has eight wells, so it's ideal if you're feeding a small crowd or preparing meals for the week ahead.
Crowd's Pick
This pan makes baking multiple mini meatloaves a breeze, without having the hassle of flipping each one onto its own smaller-sized pan.
Since this 8-well loaf pan is intended for general use, you'll just have to face the lack of holes in the bottom, meaning more clean-up time is required to remove the excess grease.
While it's a little big for financiers, and some users have reported uneven silicon non-stick coating on their pans, it's a great choice if you're looking for an affordable way to make mini meatloaves at home!
What to Look for in a Meatloaf Pan
Draining Grease
The best pan for meatloaf will have a grease drainage feature. This channel around the pan's edge allows you to pour off excess fat while the meatloaf is cooking. Excess fat can make your meatloaf greasy and unhealthy. That's why we strongly recommend outer pans or inserts with holes or a lip to catch the grease.
Inner Surface Design
If you want to make sure your meatloaf turns out perfectly every time, it's important to invest in a meatloaf pan that the pan itself or its drip tray has fluted sides. A fluted design will ensure that your meatloaf cooks evenly and doesn't stick to the sides of the pan. This is because it allows air flow around the meatloaf, keeping it from drying out or burning.
Non-Stick Surface
A nonstick surface is important in any baking pan, but it's vital in a meatloaf pan. A nonstick surface will help prevent your meatloaf from sticking to the pan and making a mess. It will also make it easier to clean the pan after use.
Raised Ridge
A raised ridge in the pan's middle is essential for evenly cooking meatloaves. The raised ridge helps prevent the meatloaf from cooking unevenly and burning on the bottom. It also helps to keep the meatloaf moist by allowing air to circulate around it while it cooks.
Heavy-duty Construction
The better meatloaf pan will be made of heavy-duty aluminum or stainless steel. These materials are durable and will not warp under high heat. They will also distribute heat evenly, which helps prevent hot spots and cooking that isn't even.
Silicone Handles
Some meatloaf pans come with silicone handles. These are handy because they stay cool to the touch, even when the pan is hot. They also make removing the pan from the oven easier without burning yourself.
Cleaning
A dishwasher-safe pan is a good choice. However, it's also good to look for a suitable pan for hand cleaning. Because your pan's nonstick surface may not be dishwasher safe, or you could prefer to hand wash it for a longer lifespan.
If you hand wash your pan, use a mild detergent and avoid abrasive scrubbers.
FAQ
Conclusion
We know how important it is to have the right tools for the job. So, we put together a list of the top meatloaf pans to help you choose which works best for your cooking needs. Hopefully, you'll have an easier time finding your favorite meatloaf pan and will be satisfied with whatever you choose!
As a sum-up, we can vouch for Rachael Ray and Wilton loaf pans, and we think they would be excellent choices for most people. With their advanced features, your meatloaf will cook evenly and won't stick to the pan or catch on fire.
Enjoy your meatloaf recipes! And please let us know if you have any questions. We love to help!
