What Dessert Goes With Meatloaf? 10 BEST Choices!
If you’re looking for a hearty, classic American dish that’ll leave the whole family with full tummies and a smile on their face, you can’t quite beat meatloaf.
But what dessert goes with meatloaf?
Whether you want to pick up something quick and easy at the grocery store, or you want to get a little creative in the kitchen and whip up a delicious pud from scratch, I’ve got you covered with the 10 best choices…
What dessert goes with meatloaf?
The best desserts for meatloaf include banana cream pie, chocolate raspberry bars, cherry vanilla ice cream, apple pie, and pineapple upside down cake. Whether you’re a skilled baker or a complete novice, there’s an option that you’ll love.
Without any further ado, let’s take a closer look at these recipes and ideas…
1. Banana cream pie
Banana cream pie is a diner classic, and it’s the perfect pairing for meatloaf. It’s traditional whilst still lots of fun, and it’s loved by adults and little ones alike.
This homemade banana cream pie recipe has a buttery crust, a creamy filling, and plenty of pieces of tender banana.
Be sure to blind bake the crust. It may take a little more time, but it’s the secret to a crisp bite that holds up against the creamy filling.
(You might also enjoy desserts to serve with roast chicken!)
2. Chocolate raspberry bars
The combination of chocolate and raspberry jam is such a yummy one, and these chocolate raspberry bars are an absolute delight.
They’re chewy, gooey, satisfyingly crisp around the edges, and they’re ideal for making ahead and serving as a quick and easy dessert after a meatloaf dinner.
If everyone is full and decides to skip dessert, they can easily be stored in an airtight container and be good for at least a few days, so it’s no problem if they aren’t enjoyed straightaway.
I like to add some chopped nuts to this recipe for extra crunch. Walnuts and cashews work really well!
3. Double chocolate chunk muffins
These chocolate chunk muffins are soft and sweet, with beautiful cracked tops and perfect fluffy crumbs, and are lovely desserts for after eating meatloaf.
They’re loaded with big chunks of chocolate and rich cocoa to enhance their flavours.
They’re easy to make – you mix the dry and wet ingredients, scoop the mixture into a pan, and bake them. After about 25 minutes, your muffins will be ready, so you can begin baking them immediately before having your meatloaf meal.
4. Strawberry cheesecake bars
After having your mouthwatering meatloaf, this guilt-free dessert should be on top of your list. This cheesecake bar is loaded with nutritious nuts, coconut, cinnamon, and cacao nibs. They’re fruity, healthy, and wholesome!
They’re elegant enough for a special occasion when you want to impress, but they’re easy to make and don’t require any specialist baking skills.
5. No churn cherry vanilla ice cream
This is a homemade frozen dessert that features real bits of cherries. The ice cream combines two classic flavours into one deliciously sweet and creamy treat that is everyone’s favourite.
While this ice cream is widely available in stores, the homemade one is better than anything you can find out there. Plus, it’s fulfilling to make it yourself!
This cherry vanilla ice cream requires just four ingredients, and you don’t need an ice cream maker.
6. Peanut butter fudge
Fudge isn’t just for the holiday season! It’s a sweet treat that you can enjoy throughout the year, especially after having a meatloaf. Making the dessert is easy as you only need to mix several pantry staples to make this delectable confection.
This peanut butter fudge takes peanut butter, brown sugar, milk, butter, vanilla, and icing sugar, and combines them to make old fashioned sweets like your grandma used to make.
Serve with tea or coffee for an easy, indulgent dessert for meatloaf.
7. Apple pie
Our list would be incomplete without this quintessential American dessert.
Apple pie just works so well after having a satisfying meatloaf; it’s cozy, sweet, and packed with fresh and tender fruits.
Try out this easy apple pie recipe. With hints of cinnamon and mixed spices, it’s a warming bowl of comfort and it can be served with cream, ice cream, or custard, depending on your personal preferences.
8. Fresh strawberry cupcakes
The combination of light and fluffy cake with fresh fruit is just so good when you’re wondering what dessert goes with meatloaf.
This fresh strawberry cupcakes recipe is straightforward, and you’ll make a one bowl vanilla cake base with chunks of real strawberry.
They’re moist, they’re full of flavour, and they also look so impressive. They’ll definitely be a talking point amongst your dinner guests.
9. Pineapple upside down cake
Pineapple upside down cake is classic dessert that offers plenty in the way of nostalgia, and it’s the kind of traditional favourite that just works so well with meatloaf.
It’s soft and buttery with a caramelised sugar and cherry topping, and thanks to the pineapple juices seeping down into the cake, every mouthful is deliciously moist and fluffy.
Attempting a dessert like this one can be a little daunting, especially if you don’t consider yourself to be an expert baker. If you’re organised though and you carefully follow the step-by-step instructions, it’s totally achievable. In fact, you can have your impressive pudding ready in around an hour and a half.
10. Black forest gateau
You might be noticing a bit of a trend here. Retro classics are just the best desserts for meatloaf, and black forest gateau is no exception.
It consists of layers of moist chocolate sponge cake, with a fruity cherry jam filling, topped with whipped cream, fresh cherries, and real chocolate shards.
When it comes to what dessert goes with meatloaf, I like to serve this gateau with a generous sized jug of pouring cream.
The best desserts to go with meatloaf
Some desserts that team perfectly with the all-American meatloaf include:
- Apple pie
- Pineapple upside down cake
- Cherry vanilla ice cream
- Peanut butter fudge
- Chocolate chunk muffins
Choosing a retro, nostalgic pud is always a good idea, and will make for a deliciously satisfying dinner for the whole family.
