This Meatloaf Sandwich recipe is how you turn leftover meatloaf into a diner-style dinner you'll crave on repeat. Think patty melt, but heartier.
Thick, tender slices of meatloaf are pan-seared until warmed through, then sandwiched in between toasty bakery bread, melty Colby Jack cheese, and savory sauteed onions. A spoonful of meatloaf glaze (or BBQ sauce) adds a tangy-sweet finish resulting in a satisfying sandwich that's deeply savory and checking all the comfort food boxes.
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Why You'll Love It
Meatloaf is a recipe that stays on repeat in our household and this is hands-down one of the most delicious ways to put those leftovers to use. After 15 years of developing recipes in the comfort food space, I've learned exactly what makes a meatloaf sandwich go from good to oh-my-word. Here's why this version works so well:
- Butter Makes It Better | Butter = better flavor, better texture, better sandwich. Reheating the meatloaf in a skillet with butter before serving does two very important things: it develops a gorgeous crust (hello, flavor) and it creates a hot, savory base for a deeply comforting sandwich recipe.
- Savory + Sweet in Every Bite | Melty Colby Jack cheese gives this sandwich real-deal grilled cheese energy, sauteed onions add depth and natural sweetness, and a spoonful of meatloaf glaze brings in a bright and tangy finish. Together, they make up the perfect leftover meatloaf sandwich recipe.
- Weeknight Easy, Big Flavor | There's nothing fussy or difficult about this recipe. This grilled meatloaf sandwich takes less than 30 minutes, start to finish, and it all takes place in one pan. Less mess, more flavor.
Best Meatloaf for Sandwiches
For the best sandwiches, you want a sliceable, fairly firm meatloaf. The best way to accomplish this is by making the meatloaf a day ahead and giving it time to chill in the refrigerator.
If you're starting from scratch, you can use my Southern meatloaf, BBQ meatloaf, or Italian meatloaf. All three make fantastic sandwiches the next day!
I recommend doubling the meatloaf glaze when you make your meatloaf. Add half to an airtight container and refrigerate until you're ready to make sandwiches!
Ingredients
- Leftover Meatloaf | This recipe was developed for using up leftover meatloaf. Slice it into 1-inch pieces and add it to the pan straight from the fridge. No need to bring it to room temp!
- Bakery Bread | This is one of those ingredients that makes a huge impact on the quality of a sandwich. A white sandwich loaf fresh from the bakery is ideal. We love the one labeled "country loaf."
- Onion | This is optional but it's a major if you're going for true diner vibes. Cooked slowly in butter until golden and sweet, sauteed onions add extra flavor and savory depth to this grilled meatloaf sandwich recipe.
- Sliced Cheese | Warm, melty cheese makes this sandwich extra craveable. My top pick is Colby Jack for its mild, buttery flavor and excellent melting quality (it's the same melty workhorse in my BBQ chicken sandwich), but cheddar, American, or provolone are all great subs.
- Meatloaf Sauce | Is a sandwich even a sandwich without the sauce? According to my steak sandwich recipe, the answer is "no" — and this meatloaf sandwich couldn't agree more. If making meatloaf from scratch, I recommend making extra meatloaf sauce. If not, you can use my quick meatloaf glaze, ketchup, or even BBQ sauce.
- Butter | Butter does a lot of heavy lifting in this recipe. It's used saute the onions, sear the meatloaf, and toast the bread. Make sure it's at room temp so you can easily spread it on your slices.
Best Bread for This Sandwich
The best bread for meatloaf sandwiches is dense, thick-cut white sandwich bread. This bread will toast up beautifully and hold up to the meatloaf. If you can't find that, ciabatta is another excellent option; it toasts up crunchy on the outside while staying light and airy on the inside, just like in our chicken ciabatta sandwiches.
Best Sauces to Use
Here are the best sauces and condiments that pair wonderfully with grilled meatloaf sandwiches:
- Classic meatloaf glaze
- BBQ sauce
- Ketchup
- Brown beef gravy
How to Make the Best Meatloaf Sandwiches
Cook the Onions | Add butter to a large skillet and saute the onions over medium heat until they're golden and softened. Transfer the onions to a bowl and wipe down the pan.
Sear the Meatloaf | Add butter to the skillet and place over medium heat. Add cold, sliced meatloaf to the pan and cook for about 3 minutes on each side, until browned. Set the meatloaf on a work surface and wipe down the skillet once more.
Toast the Bread | Spread a thin layer of butter across one side of the sliced bread and place butter-side down in the skillet over medium-low heat. Add a slice of cheese on top of the bread and cook for about 3 minutes. Remove once the bread is golden on the underside and the cheese has begun to melt.
Assemble Sandwiches | Place a slice of bread on a work surface, top with seared meatloaf, warmed meatloaf sauce, sauteed onions, and top with bread. Dig in and enjoy!
Leftover Meatloaf Sandwich Ideas
Lunch-Counter Meatloaf Sandwich | White bread, sliced cheddar, cold meatloaf, mayonnaise, pickles, lettuce, and tomato.
Grilled Cheese Meatloaf Sandwich | Think grilled cheese with a hearty meatloaf upgrade. Buttered white bread griddled until golden with melty American cheese and warm slices of meatloaf tucked inside.
BBQ Meatloaf Sandwich | Warm meatloaf piled onto soft potato buns with barbecue sauce, pickles and crispy French-fried onions.
What to Serve With It
With a sandwich this hearty, it doesn't take much to round out the meal. You can keep sides extra simple and serve your meatloaf sandwiches with chips and a pickle spear.
For a cool, creamy accompaniment, potato salad or bowtie pasta salad are great options.
In your comfort food era? Pair it with tomato soup, shells and cheese, or fried corn.
And if you're leaning full-on diner-style, you can't go wrong with:
Storage + Reheating
Meatloaf — Storage | Keep leftover meatloaf (unsliced or sliced) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Meatloaf — Reheating | There are a few different ways to reheat meatloaf: the stovetop, the oven, or the microwave.
- To reheat on the stovetop, add butter to a pan over medium heat and allow to melt. Cook 3 minutes on each side, or until browned and heated through.
- Reheat in the oven at 325°F for 10-12 minutes, covered loosely with aluminum foil.
- Reheat in the microwave at 30-second intervals until warmed through to your liking.
Meatloaf Sandwiches — Storage | Wrap assembled sandwiches tightly in foil or store in airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Note, the bread will soften over time.
Meatloaf Sandwiches — Reheating | Reheat assembled sandwiches in the oven at 325°F for 8-10 minutes. You can also microwave at 30-second increments until warmed through, but the bread will not stay toasty.
Meatloaf Sandwich FAQs
Yes. If using fresh meatloaf, skip pan-searing the slices. Simply cook the onions, toast the bread, and assemble the sandwiches with warm slices of meatloaf.
Colby Jack is my top pick for its mild flavor and great melt, but cheddar, American, or provolone all work great.
Yes, meatloaf sandwiches can be made a day in advance, but for best texture, assemble and grill the sandwiches just before serving.
You can freeze the meatloaf itself, but assembled sandwiches will not freeze well. The bread tends to get soggy when reheated.
More Sandwich Recipes You'll Love
Meatloaf Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons room-temperature unsalted butter, divided
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced into ¼-inch rings
- 4 slices leftover meatloaf, about 1-inch thick
- 8 slices bakery white bread, sliced 1-inch thick
- 8 slices Colby Jack cheese
- ½ cup meatloaf sauce or glaze, warmed in the microwave
Instructions
- Add 2 tablespoons butter to a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the sliced onions and cook for about 8 minutes, stirring often, until softened and golden in color. Remove the pan from the heat and transfer the onions to a bowl. Wipe the skillet clean and return it to the stovetop.
- Turn heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. As soon as the butter has melted, add meatloaf slices and cook for about 3 minutes on each side. Do not crowd the pan, cooking in batches if necessary. Set the grilled meatloaf slices aside and wipe the skillet clean.
- Place the skillet over medium-low heat. Add a thin layer of butter to each slice of bread and place them butter-side down in the skillet, cooking in batches as necessary. Add a piece of cheese to each piece of bread and cook until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes.
- Remove the bread from the pan and assemble meatloaf sandwiches by adding meatloaf, sauteed onions, a spoonful of warmed meatloaf sauce. Top off with the remaining bread slices. Serve and enjoy!
Philip Anthony says
We loved this recipe!!