Meatloaf is such a versatile dish. Flavorings can very from the standard salt, pepper, garlic, and onion, with some type of starchy binder and egg to hold it all together, to a combination of various ground meats, such as lamb, pork, beef, chicken, turkey, or whatever you want, with Tex/mex seasonings, or Italian seasonings, Asian, Indian, etc. And, any meatball recipe you enjoy can be modified into a meatloaf, and vice-versa. I've made meatloaf in loaf pans, in the shape of volcanoes, complete with a "crater" on top to hold the appropriate sauce for the presentation, in the form of thick patties to go on a bun or with other sides. I've even turned meatloaf recipes into tubular shapes like sausages.
Don't limit yourself to any one recipe, or shape. Take that meatloaf and become an artist with it. Mold it , shape it, change its texture, its flavor, its presentation.
Tip, I have learned from DC to add a bit of milk to my meatloaf mixture, as it also acts to bind the meatloaf together, and help it stay moist. And don't add too much starch, as it will result in a mushy meatloaf. I had professionally made meatloaf that was so mushy, you couldn't hardly eat it. The people who made it added too many breadcrumbs to the loaf. Try different fillers. Use oatmeal one time, rolled barley the next, breadcrumbs on another occasion, and even farina, or cooked rice. They all create something just a little different, with each more suited to one type of meal.
For my Asian, chicken meatloaf, I add chopped onion, and peppers, some finely diced bok choy and celery, soy sauce, garlic, 5 spice powder, and ginger. It's great served up with sweet & sour sauce.
Now I ask you, where have you ever been that serves you an Asian inspired chicken meat loaf with sweet & sour sauce?
Use meatloaf as an item to teach yourself creativity, a place to teach yourself how to take the mundane, and make it spectacular.
That my friends, is passionate cooking. And that's what I am, maybe not a phenomenal cook, but at the very least, a passionate cook.
Seeeeeeya; Chief Longwind of the North