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Boston Market Meatloaf – Top Secret Recipe (Copycat Recipe) + VIDEO

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

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Updated:

October 7, 2025

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4.98 from 49 votes

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This Boston Market Meatloaf (Copycat Recipe) tastes just like they make at Boston Market – It’s kicked up with a BBQ sauce and ketchup glaze that tastes so amazing!

Sliced BOSTON MARKET meatloaf in serving tray with green beans and mashed potatoes.

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I’m on a definite comfort food kick this week. First was this yummy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese, then Tomato Bisque Soup, and now Meatloaf.

This recipe was originally published in 2014. It was updated in 2020 to add new photographs. The original recipe remains the same. Enjoy! 

Making dishes like this always makes me feel a little bit like I’m on an episode of Leave it to Beaver. But hey, classics are classics for a reason… They’re yummy! What are some of your favorite old-school comfort food recipes?

This version is a copycat of Boston Market’s famed meatloaf.

It’s got a nice thick ribbon of a barbequey-ketchup running down the middle. It’s sliced into eight portions halfway through cooking, allowing for that sauce to penetrate each slice. It also helps to make sure that the loaf cooks uniformly.

Of course the end pieces are always my favorite! Those usually get eaten first, and the rest saved for leftovers.

Ingredients for BOSTON MARKET meatloaf in mixing bowl.
Unbaked meatloaf in pan.
Pan of meatloaf covered with foil.
Half baked meatloaf in pan before slicing.
Half baked meatloaf after slicing and drizzling on tomato sauce.
Finished baked meatloaf in loaf pan.

If you loved this Boston Market Meatloaf recipe I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished cookies and share it with me onInstagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

Wine Pairings for Meatloaf:

  •  Try a red that’s robust but not too tannic. A Zinfandel or Merlot would pair perfectly.

Tips for Making Boston Market Meatloaf:

  • Don’t overwork the meat mixture, this will make your meatloaf tough.
  • A meatloaf pan ($10) is a handy little gadget that you may not own yet. They’re great because the perforations allow for the fat to drain while it’s baking. Plus, it’s got a nifty lift out tray that makes removing the loaf from the pan so simple!
  • To complete the upscale TV dinner experience, serve dinner on these fun trays !!! Oh hi retro night!
Sliced BOSTON MARKET meatloaf on serving platter.

More Copycat Recipes:

  • PF Chang’s Lettuce Wraps Recipe (Copycat)
  • Cranberry Bliss Bars (Starbucks Copycat)
  • Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden Copycat) 
  • Easy Mongolian Beef Recipe (PF Chang’s Copycat)
  • 3 Healthy Protein Boxes (Starbucks Copycat) 
Sliced BOSTON MARKET meatloaf in serving tray with green beans and mashed potatoes.

What to Serve with Boston Market Meatloaf:

  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes
  • Roasted Sweet Potatoes
  • Green Beans
  • Parmesan Crusted Delicata Squash
  • Smashed Potatoes
  • Sauteed Spinach
  • Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
  • Mashed Cauliflower
  • Asparagus
  • Mashed Sweet Potatoes
  • More → 35+ BEST sides for meatloaf

If you loved this meatloaf recipe – be sure to try my Air Fryer Meatloaf too!

More → 35+ Ground Beef Recipes

Boston Market Meatloaf Recipe

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Sliced BOSTON MARKET meatloaf in serving tray with green beans and mashed potatoes.

Full Recipe

Boston Market Meatloaf (Copycat Recipe)

This Boston Market Meatloaf (Copycat Recipe) tastes just like they make at Boston Market – It’s kicked up with a barbeque ketchup sauce that tastes so amazing!
4.98 from 49 votes
Print Pin
Serves 4 servings
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 1 hour hr
Total Time: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons barbecue sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon sugar
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 6 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Combine tomato sauce, barbecue sauce and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat until bubbling, stirring constantly, and remove from heat.
  • Add all but 2 Tablespoons of this mixture to the ground beef in a large mixing bowl, along with the flour, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and ground pepper. Mix until well combined.
  • Place mixture in a loaf pan. Wrap tightly with foil and bake 30 minutes. 
  • Using a spatula to hold the meatloaf in the pan, drain the fat. 
  • While still in the pan, slice the meatloaf into 8 slices. Pour remaining sauce over the top of the meatloaf, in a stream down the center.
  • Return the sliced meatloaf to the oven, and bake uncovered for an additional 30 minutes.
  • Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Adapted from a recipe by Todd Wilbur and his book Even More Top Secret Recipes.

Nutrition

Calories: 517kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 961mg | Potassium: 703mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 285IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 5mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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4.98 from 49 votes (30 ratings without comment)

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62 responses

  1. Hannah
    September 15, 2020

    Hi! This recipe looks so good! My parents used to eat at Boston market and loved their meatloaf! I was so excited when I found this recipe. I was just wondering, what fat percentage did you use? Thanks☺️

    Reply
    1. Erin
      September 15, 2020

      Hi Hannah! I typically use a 80-20 mix. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  2. Elena Moul
    October 31, 2020

    Is that really 2 tablespoons of the remaining sauce poured over the meatloaf? The picture looks like it had much more…thank you#

    Reply
    1. Erin
      October 31, 2020

      Hi Elena – I think that I messed up and used a bit more in the one you actually see in the video.

      Reply
  3. Alicia Gray
    November 3, 2020

    Hi Erin,
    I am a type 2 diabetic, so must watch carbs and sugar. Are the nutrition facts for 1/8 of the loaf? Thanks for staying with this and answering comments so long after you posted the recipe. I have sugar free BBQ sauce, and could maybe use almond flour?

    Reply
    1. Erin
      November 4, 2020

      Hi! Yes, the nutrition should be for about 1/8 of the loaf. I think almond flour may work, though I’ve never tried it.

      Reply
      1. Tina Warren
        April 30, 2021

        Hi Erin,
        Like Alicia I have health issues that require me to restrict my sodium. I was quite surprised that 1/8 serving size has > 900 mg sodium! Where is all of it coming from with only 3/4 tsp salt ? I know the tomato sauce and bbq sauce has some but in the quantity used divided by 8 , it just seems high ? How did you come to this number and will it make a huge difference if I omit the 3/4 t of salt ? Thanks!

        Reply
  4. Carolina Arey
    December 15, 2020

    Looks delicious and since my grandchildren love Boston Market meatloaf I will be making this soon! Thanks for sharing awesome receipe.

    Reply
    1. Erin
      December 18, 2020

      You are so welcome Carolina – I hope it brings back great memories!

      Reply
  5. Randall Richards
    December 15, 2020

    I love that the sauce runs down the middle of this meatloaf. There can never be too much sauce!

    Thanks

    Reply
    1. Erin
      December 18, 2020

      Totally agree Randall!

      Reply
  6. Bruce
    January 17, 2022

    MORE like Boston Market Sloppy Joe. It cam out runny . Wife ask did I not put an egg in it. Blocking this site…

    Reply
    1. Erin
      January 20, 2022

      Hi Bruce – So sorry that happened… Did you drain it like the instructions mentioned?

      Reply
  7. Ariel
    January 28, 2022

    Anyone try this with diced carrots, onions and celery in it?

    Reply
  8. Steve
    February 7, 2022

    I am planning to try this soon and am hoping it is close to the taste of Boston Market’s meatloaf, as our local BM closed.

    The ingredients call for “barbeque sauce” but there is no mention of which brand or what type. In the comments, there is some discussion of tomato sauce being the BBQ sauce, which makes no sense. First, in the ingredients, there is a separate listing for both bbq sauce and for tomato sauce. Second, bbq sauce and tomato sauce are two totally different things. While some bbq sauces may use tomato sauce or paste as a base, the final product is a far cry from plain tomato sauce.

    Can anyone recommend what type of bbq sauce would be best to use, bearing in mind that the goal is to pretty much exactly replicate the taste of the BM meatloaf? If I had to guess (and I don’t want to “guess”), I would probably figure it would be best to use a bbq sauce that is not sweet and not heavy on molasses, like Stubbs Hickory Bourbon or perhaps Cattleman’s Classic Original.

    One commenter said they used Cattleman’s Carolina Tangy Gold, but that is mustard-based and it seems to me would not produce anything close to the taste of BM meatloaf.

    Please help. Thanks.

    Reply
    1. Erin
      February 8, 2022

      Hi Steve – Yes, I use a sweeter BBQ sauce here. I just use Kraft BBQ, nothing fancy. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  9. Karrie White
    February 8, 2022

    5 stars
    Hiya Erin,

    do you happen to have a recipe for Boston Market’s Sweet Potato Casserole too, please? The meatloaf is perfection! Thank you.

    Reply
    1. Erin
      February 10, 2022

      Thanks Karrie! I’ve actually never tried their Sweet Potato Casserole 🙁 Sorry I can’t be of more help on that one!

      Reply
    2. Steve
      February 11, 2022

      Boston Market Sweet Potato Casserole

      Ingredients
      Sweet Potatoes
      3 1/2 – 4 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1” pieces
      4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
      3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
      1/2 cup heavy cream
      1 teaspoon kosher salt
      1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
      1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
      1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

      Topping
      2 cups mini marshmallows
      1/2 cup all-purpose flour
      4 tablespoons butter unsalted butter
      6 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
      1/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats
      1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

      Instructions
      Fill a large pot with sweet potato pieces and water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until fork tender. Drain potatoes and place back into pot. Blend potatoes with an electric mixer until smooth. Add remaining ingredients (except topping ingredients). Mix until combined.

      Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8”x10” casserole dish (8×8 or 9×9 works too).

      Spoon sweet potatoes into casserole dish and smooth out. Sprinkle top of sweet potatoes with marshmallows.

      Melt butter in a medium microwave safe bowl. Add remaining ingredients. Mix with a fork. Sprinkle over top of casserole.

      Bake for 20-25 minutes until streusel is crisp and marshmallows are golden brown.

      Reply
  10. Cheryl
    March 21, 2022

    5 stars
    This is a fabulously simple and delicious recipe.
    I had 2 lbs of beef so I upped all the quantities 25%.
    I didn’t use the flour and substituted bread crumbs.
    It cooked just by adjusting the 2nd cooking time up to 40 minutes since I had more beef.
    Adding the catsup mixture mid cooking made this so moist. It however isn’t soupy but nicely firm. I suspect after I refrigerate it that it will be perfect for sandwiches.
    My taste prefers spicy to I used a Rasberry Chipotle BBQ sauce rather than catsup.
    Perfection!
    Thank you for this amazing meatloaf!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      March 23, 2022

      Thanks Cheryl!

      Reply
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Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

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