Meatballs, meatloaf, Salisbury steak; what's the difference?

Found some meatball mix in the freezer, so having meatballs and some roasted potatoes tonight for supper. Meatball mix is flavored more like a standard meatloaf, so that should be good.
What is the difference between meatloaf, Salisbury steak and meatballs? The shape? Aren't they all almost pretty much identical in ingredients?
 
What is the difference between meatloaf, Salisbury steak and meatballs? The shape? Aren't they all almost pretty much identical in ingredients?
No, not really. I have a really great recipe for Salisbury steak and there is mustard in the mixture. Meatballs can be made a variety of different ways, Swedish, Italian, etc. I am not so sure about meatloaf because my mother traumatized me as a child feeding it to me and now I can't give a fair judgement to meatloaf that might actually taste good. I just remember a heavy, sweet ketchup flavor that I associate with it, regardless of whether it tastes like hers or not. If I see meat formed in that shape I cringe.
 
What is the difference between meatloaf, Salisbury steak and meatballs? The shape? Aren't they all almost pretty much identical in ingredients?
Usually, when I say meatballs, I mean something Italian-flavored (so think something in the neighborhood of Italian sausage) and served with red sauce and pasta.

Meatloaf (at least around here)…entirely different flavor profile. About the only flavor enhancers in it are green bell peppers and onion, maybe a little garlic powder and chili powder if you’re adventurous…and the sticky ketchup glaze on the top.

Having said that, there are about as many variations of “classic” meatloaf as there are assho-…er, elbows, but the basic one has that green-pepper-and-onion bite to it.
 
Usually, when I say meatballs, I mean something Italian-flavored (so think something in the neighborhood of Italian sausage) and served with red sauce and pasta.
Yes. That's what I would associate with it as well.
Meatloaf (at least around here)…entirely different flavor profile. About the only flavor enhancers in it are green bell peppers and onion, maybe a little garlic powder and chili powder if you’re adventurous…and the sticky ketchup glaze on the top.
The green bell pepper, that's what it was perhaps. I never have liked those. And I remember those ground beef, rice, onion stuffed green bell peppers with some sort of tomato sauce that I so strongly disliked, it might be what triggered my dislike for meatloaf. It might take years of therapy to really get to the root of my food traumas! My mother did the best she could, I know, but geeze.
 
What is the difference between meatloaf, Salisbury steak and meatballs
All meat, I suppose.
Without looking at google, I'd say meatballs could be Italian (polpettone) or German/Dutch( Frikadelen) in origin. Meatloaf , I'd say, is pretty much a US invention. Salisbury steak? Never seen one nor eaten one!
 
All meat, I suppose.
Without looking at google, I'd say meatballs could be Italian (polpettone) or German/Dutch( Frikadelen) in origin. Meatloaf , I'd say, is pretty much a US invention. Salisbury steak? Never seen one nor eaten one!
I know you are not much of a meat eater, but I found an excellent recipe for Salisbury steak I've made a few times and my DH absolutely raved about it. I know it's not your cup of tea kk, but if anyone else is interested here is the link:
Salisbury Steak (with Mushroom Gravy!)
 
Depends on the seasonings.

We've made Asian, Italian, Mexican meatballs just off top of my head. Shaped into balls or cigars depending on use.

For meatloaf, I use onions and garlic, worchestershire, a little ketchup (not very much), S&P, sometimes mushrooms. Only time I put green pepper in meatloaf is when I make a Cajun flavored one that uses the trinity, plus a bunch of seasonings. Rectangular shape.

Salisbury steak uses onion, garlic, worchestershire, then mushrooms and onions in the gravy. Oval shape, but flat.
 
I know you are not much of a meat eater, but I found an excellent recipe for Salisbury steak I've made a few times and my DH absolutely raved about it. I know it's not your cup of tea kk, but if anyone else is interested here is the link:
Salisbury Steak (with Mushroom Gravy!)
I've made that and they're good!
 
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