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The Best Leftover Meatloaf Sandwich starts with a thick meatloaf slice served warm on toasted bread with cheese and your favorite toppings. Learn how to transform leftovers into a delicious restaurant-quality sandwich in minutes!
Meatloaf Sandwiches — Hot or Cold?
Meatloaf sandwiches — yea or nay? Back in the day, our families enjoyed a meatloaf dinner at least once a week. And both grandfathers used to take a cold meatloaf sandwich for a hearty meal at work the next day. Nothing fancy — Just place cold slices of meatloaf on white bread. Add a slice of cheese, maybe some mayo, mustard and pickles – and eat!
Personally, I prefer a hot sandwich, and so do my girls. So, I turn the classic meatloaf sandwich recipe into more of a cheeseburger. My son and many of my readers like it cold. So, I’m adding tips for a cold sandwich, as well. This ground beef sandwich is so good and so easy. Best of all, it only takes just a few minutes to make since you’re starting out with leftover meatloaf!
Table of Contents
Meatloaf Sandwich Ingredients
Here are the basics to start. You can find full amounts in the printable recipe card below.
- Cold slice of meatloaf — from leftovers
- Slices of cheese — I use American cheese, but the best cheese to use in this sandwich is your favorite cheese
- White bread — sourdough or any thicker slices of sandwich bread works best here
- Mayo — or Miracle Whip
- Options — mustard, ketchup, lettuce, pickles, onions, tomatoes
I used my favorite meatloaf recipe with tomato sauce and brown sugar as the base for this sandwich. My other favorite meatloaf recipes you can use are Mom’s best meatloaf, cheesy BBQ sauce meatloaf, Grandma’s meatloaf with oats or Stove top Stuffing Meatloaf or Crockpot Meatloaf or Instant Pot meatloaf.
How to Make A Meatloaf Sandwich
First, cut a thick slice of meatloaf –no wimpy slices for this sandwich! Thick slices work best here. The thicker, the better!
Next, place the cold meatloaf slice in a small skillet on the stove. Use a non stick pan for best results. If you don’t have a non stick skillet, add cooking spray or a little bit of olive oil to the pan.
Heat leftover meatloaf on low to medium heat for about 6 minutes, turning over about halfway through. For safety, cook until heated through (to 165 degrees f ). Total cook time will depend upon how thick the meatloaf slice is.
This is the best way to reheat meatloaf for a sandwich, especially if you only have a slice or two.If you are making several sandwiches, you can reheat the meatloaf slices on a baking sheet in the oven on low –225 degrees f.
If you’re using meatloaf with tomato sauce or with ketchup for the meatloaf sauce, you’ll get a beautiful thick glaze when the meat is done cooking.
While you are reheating the meatloaf, toast the bread in your toaster or toaster oven. Next, spread a layer of mayo on 1 side of each slice of bread.
When the meat is done, top it with a slice of cheese or a couple slices of cheese. When the cheese melts, you can start building your sandwich.
Place some lettuce over the mayo. Then, place meatloaf over the lettuce. Top with pickles, if you like.
Next, spread a little mustard on the top slice of bread. You can add ketchup, but since there is ketchup or tomato sauce already on the meat, I left it out this time.
Tips for a Great Sandwich
Heat the slice of meatloaf on low to medium heat so it cooks evenly. If you start with high heat, the outside may burn before the inside is fully cooked.
Choose thick slices of bread that can hold the meat without getting soggy.
Variations
For the classic cold meatloaf sandwich recipe, just add mayo to two slices of bread, place cold meatloaf on one slice, and top with ketchup and anything else you want.
Here are some more meatloaf sandwich ideas for you. Add your favorite hot sauce — sriracha, Buffalo or hot pepper sauce for a spicy sandwich.
Add different cheese – gruyere cheese, mozzarella cheese, provolone or smoked gouda would be perfect if you like super melty cheese. If you are using my Italian meatloaf, cut the meat into large pieces, top with more marinara and mozzarella for a meatball-style sandwich.
Grilled bread, onions and cheddar cheese work well for an easy patty melt! You can use my smoked meatloaf to make a hot sandwich on the griddle! Or, use a hamburger bun or ciabatta bun in place of white bread.
What to Serve with Meatloaf Sandwiches
What do you serve with leftover meatloaf sandwiches? We like homemade baked fries, air fryer fries, onion rings or leftover potato salad with this delicious sandwich, if there’s any. Creamy cucumber salad is another awesome choice. To keep it super simple, serve this hearty sandwich with your favorite potato chips!
The Best Meatloaf Sandwich
Video
Ingredients
- 1 slice leftover meatloaf
- 2 slices american cheese
- 2 slices white bread
- 1 teaspoon mayonnaise
- ¼ teaspoon mustard
Instructions
- Cut a thick slice of leftover meatloaf
- Heat in small non stick skillet over low to medium heat until internal temperature is 165°, turning over once or twice
- Toast bread
- Top meatloaf with cheese and allow to melt
- Spread mayonnaise on 1 side of each slice of bread. Add lettuce, meatloaf, mustard and pickles, and top with second slice of bread
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Leftover Meatloaf Ideas
Don’t want a sandwich? You can crumble leftover meatloaf to make meatloaf tacos, nachos, meatloaf lasagna or as a substitute for meatballs. Leftover meatloaf spaghetti, anyone? I’ve done this before, and it was surprisingly good!
Nutrition values are approximate. The exact nutritional values will vary depending upon what meatloaf recipe you use. If you are using one of my recipes, you can get the approximate numbers for those individual recipes. Be sure to use your favorite nutrition calculator if you are on a special diet.
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Well Dee you have saved the day. I over baked three one pound meatloaves, and while I do love a cold meatloaf sandwich I was looking for something better. Your suggestions here are it!
The mayo, mustard, lettuce, and cheese suggestions sound delicious. But it’s the pickles that has caught my attention. I imagine you are talking about dill pickles. I don’t have any, but I do have dill pickle relish… problem solved. Great job, Dee!
Now to scroll bake and look at your baked and air fried fries recipes.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the sandwich, Frank!
This sandwich hit the spot after a long day of hiking. Very hearty and delicious!
A meatloaf sandwich would be perfect after a hike. 🙂
Yea to meatloaf sandwiches! However…
…Cold from the fridge
….Sliced thin
…On french bread (untoasted)
…Mayo on both slices
…Ketchup on both slices (and drizzled on top of the meatloaf)
…NO cheese (and I love cheese)
Loved this from childhood. Introduced my wife to it, too.
Great tips: thanks for sharing!
This looked so good I made the Mom’s Best Meatloaf on Friday and had this for Saturday dinner! Never thought of doing that before. Going to make larger meatloaves so I can eat more sandwiches!
So happy you liked the meatloaf, Matt. Thanks for letting me know!