Beyond the Bun: Delicious Recipes After Buying Ground Beef from the Cunningham Ranch

🍔 Beyond the Bun: Delicious Recipes After Buying Ground Beef from the Cunningham Ranch 🥩

Think ground beef is just for burgers? Think again. At Cunningham Ranch, our pasture-raised, grass-fed ground beef is the perfect starting point for countless hearty, wholesome, and downright irresistible meals. From sizzling skillet dishes to comforting casseroles, zesty tacos to rich pasta sauces, we’ve got recipe inspiration that will make your ground beef the star of every meal.

Mama’s Easy Meatloaf with Cunningham’s 80/20 Ground Beef

Lean, rich, and full of flavor — the perfect comfort meal for busy families.

If you’ve ever struggled with a meatloaf that turns out dry or bland, it’s time for a change. Forget the dry, flavorless meatloaf of the past — this one is pure comfort and rich, savory goodness. Made with Cunningham Pastured Meats’ 80/20 ground beef, it’s lean yet full-bodied in flavor, giving you a moist, hearty slice every time.

This family-favorite recipe, passed down from my mama, is a true busy-weeknight hero. It’s simple to prepare, incredibly versatile, and always a crowd-pleaser. Add caramelized onions for extra depth, or glaze it with a sweet and tangy topping for a little extra magic.

Ingredients

2 lbs Cunningham’s 80/20 ground beef — lean, but rich and beefy in flavor; a versatile choice for this recipe

2 eggs

1 cup panko breadcrumbs (gluten free Kikkoman Panko is a perfect substitute or a piece of sourdough bread soaked in milk)

¼ cup ketchup or one 6 oz can tomato paste

1 tablespoon garlic powder or 2–3 fresh garlic cloves, crushed

2 teaspoons each: oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme or 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning

1 tablespoon black pepper

1 tablespoon salt

Optional Additions

Onion lovers: Caramelize ½ an onion and fold it into the mixture before baking.

Sweeter variation: Mix 1 tablespoon brown sugar with ¼ cup chili sauce and spread over the meatloaf as a glaze before baking.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef and eggs.

Add ketchup (or tomato paste) and mix until just combined.

In a separate small bowl, mix the panko with all seasonings. (Add a few tablespoons milk to soften the panko/bread mix)

Add the seasoned panko to the beef mixture and gently combine — avoid overmixing for a tender texture.

Shape into a loaf and place in a baking dish or loaf pan.

If using the sweet glaze, spread it evenly over the top...want it extra sweet, double the recipe and glaze throughout cooking. 

Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).

Let rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Serving Ideas:
Pair this meatloaf with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted seasonal veggies, or a crisp garden salad for a complete meal. Leftovers make the most incredible meatloaf sandwiches — just toast your bread, add a little ketchup or BBQ sauce, and enjoy.

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