How Long to Cook Meatloaf
Meatloaves come in a variety of sizes, so there’s no one set cooking time that will produce a perfectly cooked loaf. Instead, judge your meatloaf’s cooking time based on both its weight and the type of oven you’re using. Also, be sure to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature: A meatloaf is considered safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
In a conventional oven, you’ll want to cook meatloaf for 35 to 45 minutes per pound at a temperature of 350°F, while checking the temperature toward the end of that time.
- 1-Pound Meatloaf: 35 to 45 minutes; start checking the temperature at 35 minutes
- 1.5-Pound Meatloaf: 50 minutes to an hour and 5 minutes; start checking the temperature at 50 minutes
- 2-Pound Meatloaf: 55 minutes to an hour and 10 minutes; start checking the temperature at 55 minutes
- 3-Pound Meatloaf: 90 minutes to 2 hours; start checking the temperature at 90 minutes
In a convection oven, you’ll want to cook meatloaf for 26 to 42 minutes per pound at a temperature of 325°F instead of 350°F.
- 1-Pound Meatloaf: 26 to 42 minutes; start checking the temperature at 26 minutes
- 1.5-Pound Meatloaf: 39 to 63 minutes; start checking the temperature at 39 minutes
- 2-Pound Meatloaf: 41 minutes to 53 minutes; start checking the temperature at 41 minutes
- 3-Pound Meatloaf: 1 hour and 10 minutes to 1½ hours; start checking the temperature at 1 hour and 10 minutes
