The Best Classic Meatloaf

The best meatloaf recipe ever!  This traditional meatloaf recipe is just like mom used to make, made with ground beef and a sweet and tangy glaze topping.

What makes really good meatloaf?

I think the trick to good meatloaf is using lean ground beef.  The problem with a lot of meatloaf recipes is that they call for ground beef with a high fat content.  As the meatloaf cooks, the fat cooks out and makes a greasy mess.  Not this recipe!

How to make moist meatloaf:

You may be thinking, but won’t lean ground beef make the meatloaf dry?  Not at all!  The milk, egg, ketchup, and diced onion in the meat mixture are all working to keep the meatloaf moist and delicious.

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This classic meatloaf is perfect for a busy weeknight meal because it can be prepared in minutes.  The only thing to chop is a 1/2 cup of onion.

How to make the best meatloaf recipe:

Make the meatloaf.

• Add 90% lean ground beef to a large bowl.
• Add dried bread crumbs  and some diced onion.
• Add milk, an egg, ketchup, and worcestershire sauce.
• Add dried parsley, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
• Mix it together REALLY well.
• Pour the meat mixture into a loaf pan.

Make the ketchup glaze.

• Add ketchup, brown sugar, and red wine vinegar to a bowl.
• Whisk until combined.
• Pour the glaze over the meatloaf.
• Bake it!

I’ve been playing around with this recipe for the past few months, making it many times.  And, I didn’t mind the repetition at all because I do believe I ended up with the best classic meatloaf recipe ever. 🙂

Check out these other easy comfort food recipes:

• The Best Classic Chili
• BBQ Chicken Sloppy Joes
• Creamy Crock Pot Pork Chops Potatoes & Onions
• 30 Minute Chicken & Dumplings – From The Slow Roasted Italian

Check out the step by step video for this meatloaf recipe below.

Print Recipe

5 from 156 votes

The Best Classic Meatloaf recipe

This traditional meatloaf recipe is just like mom used to make, made with ground beef and a sweet and tangy glaze topping.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time55 mins

Total Time1 hr 5 mins

Course: Dinner, Entree, Main Course, Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: best meatloaf recipe, classic meatloaf, meatloaf with ground beef, meatloaf with ketchup, traditional meatloaf

Servings: 10

Calories: 164kcal

Author: Amanda Finks

Ingredients

• 1 lb. 90% lean ground beef
• 1 cup dried bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 large egg beaten
• 2 tbsp. ketchup
• 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp. dried parsley leaves
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
• For the Topping:
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp. packed light brown sugar
• 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In a large bowl, add the beef, bread crumbs, onion, milk, egg, 2 tablespoons ketchup, worcestershire sauce, parsley, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Use your hands to mush and mix these ingredients together until well combined.*
• Add the meat mixture to a loaf pan. Pat the meat down into an even layer.
• In a small bowl, add 1/4 cup ketchup, the brown sugar, and vinegar. Stir to combine. Pour the sauce on top of the meatloaf and spread it into an even layer.
• Bake uncovered for 55 minutes.
• Let the meatloaf rest for 8-10 minutes before serving (or it may fall apart).**

Video

Notes

*Be sure to mix the meat really well.  This is a very moist meatloaf recipe so under mixing can cause the meatloaf to be too soft/mushy. 

**I use two thin spatulas to remove the meatloaf from the pan and transfer it to a cutting board. You could also slice and serve the meatloaf directly from the loaf pan, or use parchment paper to line the pan for easy removal.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portion = 1/10th of the meatloaf | Calories: 164kcal | Carbohydrates: 14.8g | Protein: 11.7g | Fat: 5.7g | Saturated Fat: 2.2g | Cholesterol: 49.9mg | Sodium: 399.3mg | Fiber: 0.6g | Sugar: 6.7g