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A dinner staple of the 1950s, meatloaf is still a family-favorite comfort food. So yours comes out lightly browned and firm but moist, you’ll want one of the best meatloaf pans on hand. Loaf pans, in general, are a versatile piece of bakeware for foods both savory and sweet, such as Lemon Olive Oil Cake, though some have specialized elements to take your meatloaf creations to the next level.
Meggan always uses the nonstick bread loaf pan from USA Pan to whip up her famous Cheesy Meatloaf, but we carefully researched the additional pans on this list—considering their materials, added features, and size—to ensure we only recommended the top options. When you have the best pan for meatloaf, your family will be begging you to make one every night of the week!
Table of Contents
- Our Top Picks
- Reviews of the Best Meatloaf Pans
- Other Meatloaf Pans to Consider
- Why You Can Trust Us
- Everything to Know Before Buying a Meatloaf Pan
- The Best Meatloaf Recipes
Our Top Picks
- In Meggan’s Kitchen: USA Pan Nonstick Standard Bread Loaf Pan – $19.99 at Amazon
- Best Meatloaf Pan with Insert: Chicago Metallic Professional Non-Stick 2-Piece Meatloaf Set – $13.99 at Target
- Best Meatloaf Pan with Drain: Rachael Ray Bakeware Meatloaf Baking Pan with Insert – $19.95 at Walmart
- Best Meatloaf Pan Set: Wilton Perfect Results Premium Non-Stick Meatloaf Pan Set –$15.49 at Amazon
- Best Glass Meatloaf Pan: OXO Good Grips Glass Loaf Pan with Lid – $22.99 at Walmart
Reviews of the Best Meatloaf Pans
1. In Meggan’s Kitchen: USA Pan Nonstick Standard Bread Loaf Pan
Meggan discovered USA Pan’s loaf pan after trying out the brand’s amazing muffin tins, and she hasn’t looked back since. “I loved the quality of the muffin pan and the values of the company,” she says. “If they made a great muffin tin, I figured their loaf pans would be awesome…and they are!”
While many loaf pans can become misshapen with use, Meggan says that this one is incredibly strong, sturdy, and hasn’t warped. This aspect is super important because meatloaf can get pretty heavy! She also appreciates that the non-stick coating is made from non-toxic silicone, which makes it a better and safer choice for your family. Plus, this detail just so happens to make cleanup a breeze. While it may not be dishwasher-safe, leftover food bits slide right off with a bit of soap and water. USA Pans also have a limited lifetime warranty.
The Specs:
- Baking Dimensions: 9 by 5 by 2.75 inches
- Material: Nonstick-Coated Steel
- Dishwasher-Safe: No
- Drain Insert: No
The Pros:
- Heavy-duty material is durable and sturdy
- Non-stick coating makes for easy cleanup
- Versatile for baking all types of loaves
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Made in the USA
The Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a drain insert
- Hand-wash only
- Can begin to rust if not dried properly
What Others are Saying:
Along with being Meggan’s number one pick, more than 1,300 Amazon shoppers give it a 4.9-star rating for its even heat distribution and nonstick finish.
Buy the USA Pan Nonstick Standard Bread Loaf Pan:
2. Best Meatloaf Pan with Insert: Chicago Metallic Professional Non-Stick 2-Piece Meatloaf Set
While Meggan’s pick proves that you don’t need a pan with an insert, the best pans for cooking meatloaf often include a perforated tray to drain off the excess fat and grease while baking. The insert in the Chicago Metallic pan is nicely designed, with generously sized drain holes and nonstick coating on all surfaces.
The insert’s wide handles and its sideless design result in easy serving. Along with creating a less greasy meatloaf, you’ll also achieve “hostess with the mostess” status with this pan.
The Specs:
- Baking Dimensions: 12.2 by 5.8 by 3.3 inches
- Material: Heavy-weight, nonstick-coated aluminized steel
- Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
- Drain Insert: Yes
The Pros:
- Drain doubles as a sideless lifting tray
- Made with a non-stick coating for easy cleanup
The Cons:
- While dishwasher-safe, it’s recommended to hand-wash
- Nonstick lining may disintegrate over time
What Others are Saying:
The Spruce Eats named this the best overall meatloaf pan, noting their chefs had good results using it without the insert for baking pound cake as well. Customers also adore it: More than 11,000 Amazon shoppers have given it a 4.7-star rating.
Buy the Chicago Metallic Professional Non-Stick 2-Piece Meatloaf Set:
3. Best Meatloaf Pan with Drain: Rachael Ray Bakeware Meatloaf Baking Pan with Insert
Rachael Ray bakeware is popular for its quality and reasonable prices. This meatloaf pan falls in line, with more than 8,000 Amazon shoppers singing its praises for cooking both meatloaf and bread.
The sideless removable insert creates a shelf in the pan that allows all of the fat and juices to drain so you end up with a flavorful meatloaf that’s not too greasy. The wider-than-most handles on the insert make it easy to maneuver, too, so you can go straight from the oven to the dinner table in a flash.
For the days when you want to bake bread instead of meatloaf, the dependable pan is ideal for making all sorts of breads, including sourdough, rye, banana, and more!
The Specs:
- Baking Dimensions: 9 by 5 by 3 inches
- Material: Nonstick-coated steel
- Dishwasher-Safe: No
- Drain Insert: Yes
The Pros:
- Drain insert included
- Wide handles for easy maneuvering
The Cons:
- Needs to be hand-washed soon after use or it can start to rust
- Some reviewers say the meatloaf turns out very dry in this pan
What Others are Saying:
More than 8,000 Amazon reviewers give it an average of 4.8 stars, singing its praises for versatility and cleanability.
Buy the Rachael Ray Bakeware Meatloaf Baking Pan with Insert:
4. Best Meatloaf Pan Set: Wilton Perfect Results Premium Non-Stick Meatloaf Pan Set
Unlike the previous meatloaf pans that featured a sideless insert, the removable drain pan on this Wilton design has full sides that allow it to nest inside the outer full loaf pan. This design can retain heat longer after baking—a nice option for those who go back for seconds.
Like others with inserts, the perforated drain elevates your meatloaf so all the excess fat sinks below as it cooks, so your end result is tasty with less grease. The nonstick coating makes easy work of getting your meatloaf out of the pan as well as cleaning it later. Like all baking pans from the high-quality Wilton line, the set comes with a 10-year limited warranty.
The Specs:
- Baking Dimensions: 9.25 by 5.25 by 2.75 inches
- Material: Nonstick-coated steel
- Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
- Drain Insert: Yes
The Pros:
- Removable inner pan drains grease while cooking
- Nonstick-coated
- Dishwasher-safe
- 10-year limited warranty
The Cons:
- Although dishwasher-safe, it’s recommended to be hand-washed
- Removing meatloaf from the pan can be challenging
What Others are Saying:
Almost 4,000 Amazon shoppers give this pan set a 4.7-star rating, praising its heavy-duty construction and slick nonstick coating.
Buy the Wilton Perfect Results Premium Non-Stick Meatloaf Pan Set :
5. Best Glass Meatloaf Pan: OXO Good Grips Glass Loaf Pan with Lid
OXO Good Grips is one of Meggan’s all-time favorite cookware brands, and this multipurpose glass loaf pan is worth considering for cooking meatloaf, along with baking breads. Unlike their metal counterparts, glass pans slowly heat up yet retain heat longer once hot. When making meatloaf, this results in a crispy crust that adds dimension to the dish.
A particular advantage of this OXO loaf pan? It comes with an airtight plastic lid, so if you have any leftovers, you won’t need to pull out any additional containers—just pop on the lid and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to reheat.
The Specs:
- Baking Dimensions: 10.7 by 5.9 by 2.4 inches
- Material: Glass with a plastic lid
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Drain Insert: No
The Pros:
- Comes with a lid for easy storing and reheating
- Glass is easy to clean
- Wide handles offer a safe, comfortable grip
The Cons:
- The lid isn’t super durable
- More shallow than other pans on this list
What Others are Saying:
Over 2,400 Amazon shoppers give this pan high marks, with some noting that its wider, longer, shallower size is well-suited especially for cooking delicious meatloaf and storing leftovers with ease.
Buy the OXO Good Grips Glass Loaf Pan with Lid:
Other Meatloaf Pans to Consider
GoodCook Extra Large Loaf Pans, Set of 2
Two full loaf pans for the price of one? Talk about a deal! This Good Cook set is a solid option, especially if you’re an avid baker. When it comes to meatloaf in particular, the oversized length—13 inches rather than the standard 9—feels a bit excessive for the protein-packed dinner, and you’ll have to adjust the recipe to fit. You’ll probably end up having a ton of leftovers when using this. The GoodCook Set of 2 Extra Large Loaf Pans is available at Amazon for $15.60.
Silivo Silicone Bread and Loaf Pans
Surprisingly enough, cooking meatloaf in a silicone pan can give you pretty scrumptious results. Once the loaf is cooked to perfection, you can easily peel the pan away without cracking or crumbling your meatloaf. There are two downsides to silicone, though: It won’t give you a crisp crust, and there’s no drain insert to siphon off the excess grease and juices while cooking. This two-pack is a nice price, with reviewers praising their easy cleanup. The Silivo Silicone Bread and Loaf Pans are available at Amazon for $12.99.
Lodge Cast Iron Loaf Pan Set
Cooking meatloaf in a cast iron pan beautifully crisps it up in a way that’s not possible in glass, silicone, or even steel pans. You’ll get that grandma’s recipe-style char that you grew up craving! That said, for some it may be difficult to justify the price of this cast iron set when it’s over double the cost of every other option on the list. Steel pans won’t provide such a distinct crisp, but in our opinion, they’re pretty comparable for a lot less money. The Lodge Cast Iron Loaf Pan Set is available at Amazon for $48.
Why You Can Trust Us
Hi there! I’m Mary Honkus, a freelance writer with over five years of experience covering food, home, wellness, beauty, and fashion. I’ve held staff positions at Real Simple, People, and InStyle magazines, and my work has been featured in numerous other publications, including Cosmopolitan, WWD, CNN, and US Weekly.
To put together this list of the best pans for cooking meatloaf, I worked closely with Meggan Hill, the founder of Culinary Hill. Meggan is an expert in the kitchen, having tested hundreds of culinary tools and developed thousands of recipes.
Together, we selected the top-rated meatloaf pans, including ones Meggan has used in her own kitchen, and diligently researched other highly rated options. Through this process, we narrowed down to these 5 trusted tools that will help you create the most scrumptious meatloafs!
Everything to Know Before Buying a Meatloaf Pan
Things to Consider Before Buying a Meatloaf Pan
As with any baking pan for a specialized purpose, you’ll have several attributes to weigh in terms of choosing the best cooking vessel for meatloaf.
Material: Most standard meatloaf pans are made from steel or aluminum. These metals are used across bakeware because of their ability to heat quickly and evenly. The materials also give meatloaf—or any baked goods for that matter—a nice crisped crust that plays nicely with a softer texture in the middle.
You can also make meatloaf in a glass pan and you’ll still get a nice char on the edges, although maybe not as prominent as when you use a metal pan. Both are incredibly easy to wash clean, too! Silicone is a final option, which is very easy to clean but won’t impart much crust and can be too flimsy for heartier meatloaf.
Included Insert: While drain inserts aren’t essential for making meatloaf—and not all loaf pans come with one—they are helpful for allowing excess grease and fat to drain while cooking. When you have a loaf pan with an insert, your resulting meatloaf will be leaner and maybe even a bit firmer because it won’t be roasting within the runoff.
Size: How big do you want your meatloaf? This all depends on your recipe, as well as the size of your loaf pan. Most standard meatloaf pans measure 9 by 5 inches, though any around those dimensions will offer great results and work with most recipes. There’s no correct size pan for the best meatloaf, all of the options of our list will make a yummy one!
How to Make Meatloaf Without a Loaf Pan
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a dedicated meatloaf pan to make the perfect meatloaf. In fact, Meggan sometimes likes to bake her meatloaf on a cookie sheet so the edges get extra crispy. “I use meatloaf pans to craft my ideal meatloaf shape, then I slip it out of the pan and transfer it to the sheet,” she says. “You can certainly form a meatloaf by hand without the use of a pan, though.” This is how Meggan makes her fan-favorite Turkey Meatloaf! So you don’t have a designated meatloaf pan or a loaf pan, you can totally wing it.
Can You Cook Meatloaf in a Glass Pan?
Yes, you can absolutely make a meatloaf in a glass pan—that’s why we recommended a glass pan here. However, you may need to adjust the oven temperature for best results. While glass is a bit slower to warm up than metal, it retains heat for longer and can result in crispier edges and bottoms. With that said, it’s a good idea to decrease the cooking temperature by about 25 degrees to get the perfectly cooked meatloaf when using a glass loaf pan.
What is the Best Material for Meatloaf Pans?
Typically, it’s recommended to cook meatloaf in a steel or aluminum pan because they’re the most common and versatile loaf pans that can make so much more than just loafed meat. But since we’re talking about meatloaf, pans made from these materials heat evenly, allowing the meat to cook uniformly. Plus, these pans will beautifully brown the exterior and often come with drain inserts, so you end up with the most scrumptious meatloaf ever!
What is the Best Size for Meatloaf Pans?
Most standard loaf pans are 9 by 5 inches, which is the optimal size for cooking meatloaf. These dimensions will easily fit a three-pound meatloaf and crisp it up to perfection.
The Best Meatloaf Recipes
With a trusty meatloaf pan on hand, you’ll be able to whip up a quick and easy dinner that will satisfy everyone in your household. Meatloaf doesn’t have to be basic and boring, just take a look at any of Meggan’s recipes that bring the classic meal into the 21st century.
- Meatloaf
- Cheesy Meatloaf
- Turkey Meatloaf
Prices were accurate at time of publishing.
Mary Honkus
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Mary Honkus is a freelance writer with over six years of experience in the beauty and fashion industry. She has held staff roles at Real Simple, People, and InStyle, and her work can also be found in numerous other publications including Cosmopolitan, WWD, Glamour, CNN, and Us Weekly. When she's not writing, she can be found chilling on her Hell's Kitchen rooftop, checking out NYC's hottest new restaurants, or recording her podcast Good Trouble NYC.
