The Best Leftover Meatloaf Sandwich starts with a thick meatloaf slice served warm on toasted bread with a slice of cheese or 2 and your favorite toppings. This hot sandwich is perfect for a quick lunch or easy dinner!
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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. Slap on a slice of cheese, maybe some mayo, mustard and pickles - and eat!
Personally, I prefer a hot sandwich, and so do my picky eaters. So, I turn the classic meatloaf sandwich recipe into more of a cheeseburger.
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!
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!
Ingredients
The ingredients for my hot meatloaf sandwich are super simple. If you have the cooked meat, you probably have everything else you need at home:
- Cold slice of meatloaf from leftovers
- Slices of cheese -- I use American, but use your favorite cheese
- White bread -- sourdough or any thick bread works best here
- Mayo -- or Miracle Whip
- Mustard -- I use basic yellow mustard here
- Lettuce
- Dill pickle and red onions are optional
I love tomatoes, but I skip them here because there is already a tangy sauce on on the meat. Definitely add tomatoes and ketchup too if you want!
How to Make the Best Leftover Meatloaf Sandwich
I used my favorite meatloaf recipe with tomato sauce and brown sugar as the base for this sandwich. My other favorite meatloaf recipes are Mom's best meatloaf, cheesy BBQ sauce meatloaf and Instant Pot meatloaf.
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.
Cooking Time
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.
Variations
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.
Grilled bread and cheddar cheese work well for an easy patty melt! Or, use a hamburger bun or ciabatta bun in place of white bread.
What to Serve with It
What do you serve with leftover meatloaf sandwiches? We like homemade baked 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!
Recipe
The Best Leftover Meatloaf Sandwiches
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 information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.
Nutrition
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.
My family thinks this is the best meatloaf sandwich, and I hope you do too! For more comfort recipes and easy weeknight dinners, be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter and follow me on your favorite social media!
Tom says
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.
William says
Great tips: thanks for sharing!
Matt says
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!
Dee says
So happy you liked the meatloaf, Matt. Thanks for letting me know!