Make the best leftover meatloaf sandwich with melty cheese, caramelized onions, and herbed garlic aioli sauce between toasty sourdough bread. Enjoy this hot sandwich for a hearty lunch or easy dinner.
Looking for more delicious sandwich recipes? Try the TikTok viral Italian Grinder and this Homemade Meatball Sandwich.
This grilled meatloaf sandwich is a fresh, modern take on the classic meatloaf recipe. It's also a tasty way to repurpose leftovers!
Throw in some cheddar cheese, sauteed onions, and arugula, and you have a meaty, saucy, cheesy hot sandwich that's truly mouthwatering. You may find yourself making an entire meatloaf, just to enjoy a sandwich the next day!
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Why You'll Love This Meatloaf Sandwich Recipe
Comfort Food! Meatloaf is always at the top of my list when I want something hot and filling. Buttery bread, gooey cheese, creamy sauce, and a thick slice of moist meatloaf definitely make the cut.
Convenient! The leftovers are already sitting in your fridge. This is a delicious alternative to just heating them up in the microwave. (It's also great for picky eaters who don't want meatloaf two nights in a row!)
Easy to Make! This takes less than 30 minutes to make with leftover meatloaf. And if caramelized onions aren't your thing, whip this up in 10 minutes!
Ingredients
This recipe is perfect for using up leftovers. Aside from the meatloaf, the other ingredients are pantry staples.
- Sourdough bread. This toasted bread is hearty enough to withstand all of the added ingredients.
- Leftover Meatloaf. Try my Easy Meatloaf without Breadcrumbs recipe. It's flavorful, juicy, and glazed with sweet heat chili sauce.
- Cooking Spray. Use some to ensure the bread and meatloaf don't stick to the pan.
- Cheddar Cheese. This melts well and adds cheesy goodness to the sandwich.
- Butter. Use this to caramelize the onions.
- Onions. Caramelizing white onions yields a milder, sweeter flavor and a golden-brown color, while caramelizing red onions produces a slightly more complex taste, often with a deeper brown or reddish-brown hue. Use both red onions and yellow onions for depth of flavor.
- Water. Use this to deglaze the pan and prevent the onions from burning.
- Salt + Pepper. Add to taste.
- Arugula. This adds a peppery bite and some green to balance the ingredients of the sandwich.
Herbed Garlic Aioli
This easy homemade sauce puts other meatloaf sandwich condiments to shame! Rich creamy mayo is the base of this aioli. The savory depth of garlic, the citrus pop of fresh lemons, and a burst of aromatic herbs make for a flavorful sauce.
- Mayonnaise
- Sage
- Thyme
- Garlic Paste (or fresh minced garlic)
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
How to Make a Meatloaf Sandwich
The caramelized onions are the heart of this recipe. The sweet onion flavor complements the meatloaf and elevates the overall flavor.
Caramelize Onions
Begin by caramelizing the onions. In a small skillet on medium/heat, add butter and the onions. Saute the onions, stirring constantly. Add up to 2-3 tablespoons of water as the onions cook and become translucent.
This process takes about 15 minutes, continue the above steps by stirring the onions, adding water and allowing the onions to cook down until caramelized.
Season with salt and pepper and set aside until further use.
Make Meatloaf Sandwich Sauce
While the onions cook, if preparing the herbed garlic aioli, now is a great time to prepare. Add the sauce ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until ingredients are thoroughly combined. Set aside until sandwich prep.
Toast Bread & Heat up Meatloaf
In a large grill pan, spray with cooking spray and sear sourdough bread lightly toasting all sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.
In the same pan on medium heat, add slices of meatloaf to the pan and grill on both sides until meatloaf slices are fully heated through. Set aside.
Assemble Meatloaf Sandwiches
Begin building the meatloaf sandwich by layering first, the sliced cheddar cheese.
Then add the grilled slices of meatloaf on top of the grilled sourdough slice with cheddar cheese. Top with additional meatloaf sauce if desired. Layer on a hefty amount of caramelized onion.
Then top with fresh arugula and on the opposite slice of bread, smear the herbed garlic aioli over the bread. Add the sauced slice of bread to the layered side of the sandwich with meatloaf and press down lightly before slicing in half. Finally, serve and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Meatloaf Sandwich
- Slice the leftover meatloaf slices thin or thick, depending on your desired size of sandwich.
- Get creative with sauces. Make additional sweet-heat chili sauce for a saucy sandwich.
- You can use any bread you like. Just ensure it's thick enough to hold meatloaf, sauce, and toppings without falling apart.
Variations & Substitutions
- Bread. Instead of sourdough, you can use any thick sliced bread you prefer. Try crusty French bread or Texas toast.
- Cheese. Cheddar cheese pairs well with this recipe but try pepper jack, provolone, gouda, or Colby jack.
- Cold Meatloaf Sandwich with Mayo. Traditionally, this sandwich is served cold and topped with mayonnaise.
- Meatloaf Melt Sandwich. Make this like a patty melt or grilled cheese by adding a slice of cheese to the bread as it toasts on the stovetop.
More Meatloaf Sandwich Toppings
- Mustard
- Pickles
- Tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Sauteed Peppers
- Jalapenos
How to Store Leftovers
Store the sandwich in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with parchment paper in the fridge for one day. Reheat it in a skillet or in the air fryer. Or you can eat it cold.
Can I make Meatloaf Sandwiches in advance?
This recipe can be made ahead. Wrap the sandwich tightly in parchment paper then refrigerate it for up to 24 hours.
FAQ
What goes on a meatloaf sandwich?
The classic meatloaf sandwich only includes bread, sliced meatloaf, and mayo but you can include a variety of toppings. Try toppings like cheese, sauces, peppers, and onions.
Is meatloaf served hot or cold?
Traditionally, meatloaf is served hot from the oven. However, sandwiches can be served hot or cold. It just comes down to preference.
What is the origin of the meatloaf sandwich?
The first documented recipe for meatloaf is from the 1870s but the dish rose to popularity in America during the 1950s. Although there's not much info online regarding the origins of the meatloaf sandwich, I have to believe that it started out of convenience; just another way to utilize leftover meatloaf.
Is meatloaf basically a burger?
While both dishes use ground meat, meatloaf is typically a larger, loaf-shaped mixture that includes ingredients like breadcrumbs and eggs, baked in the oven. However, a burger is a smaller, usually round patty, often grilled or fried, and served in a bun with various toppings.
I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS PAN FRIED MEATLOAF SANDWICH RECIPE!
If you try this recipe, I'd love to see it! So share it with me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.
The Best Meatloaf Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 slices of Bread sourdough
- 5-6 slices of leftover meatloaf
- Cooking Spray
- 4 slices Cheddar Cheese
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- ½ cup Red Onion thinly sliced
- ½ cup Yellow Onion thinly sliced
- ½ cup Water
- Salt + Pepper to taste
- ½ cup Arugula
Herbed Garlic Aioli
- ¼ cup Mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Sage
- 1 teaspoon Thyme
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Paste or fresh minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Lemon Juice
- ¼ teaspoon Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
Instructions
- Begin by caramelizing the onions. In a small skillet on medium/heat, add butter and the onions.
- Saute the onions, stirring constantly and add up 2-3 tablespoons of water as the onions cook and become translucent.
- This process takes about 15 minutes, continue the above steps by stirring the onions, adding water and allowing the onions to cook down until caramelized.
- Season with salt and pepper and set aside until further use.
- While the onions cook, if preparing the herbed garlic aioli, now is a great time to prepare.
- Add the sauce ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until ingredients are thoroughly combined. Set aside until sandwich prep.
- In a large grill pan, spray with cooking spray and sear sourdough bread lightly toasting all sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan on medium heat, add slices of meatloaf to the pan and grill on both sides until meatloaf slices are fully heated through. Set aside.
- Begin building the meatloaf sandwich by layering first, the sliced cheddar cheese.
- Add the grilled slices of meatloaf on top of the grilled sourdough slice with cheddar cheese. Top with additional meatloaf sauce if desired.
- Layer on a hefty amount of caramelized onion.
- Top with fresh arugula and on the opposite slice of bread, smear the herbed garlic aioli over the bread.
- Add the sauced slice of bread to the layered side of the sandwich with meatloaf and press down lightly before slicing in half.
- Serve and enjoy!
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