Meatloaf is a dish of ground meat mixed with other fillers. During the Great Depression, it was a way for families to stretch their budget by using inexpensive ground meat and leftover ingredients like bread or cereal. It is then formed into the shape of a loaf and then baked. When a starch like bread or grains is combined with an added liquid that forms a "panade," added to ground meat, it keeps the results moist.