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!
MY LATEST RECIPESHow 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.
Easy Meatloaf:
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.
Sometimes I like to prepare this meatloaf recipe ahead of time. Just cover the loaf pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate it until you’re ready for it. Then, uncover it and let it come to room temperature as you’re preheating the oven.
So easy!
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.
- Spread it into a flat even layer.
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!
- Let it cool before slicing.
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:
- Dill Pickle Pasta Salad from Bitchin Brunch
- 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.
The Best Classic Meatloaf recipe
Watch The Recipe Video Here
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).**
Notes
Nutrition
Stacy says
I just made this….using sriracha catsup…and oh my goodness. This is my new go to recipe. It will make amazing sandwiches, which is the best part about meatloaf. I was initially concerned about the ratio os meat to bread crumbs and milk, but it works!!
Linda LeNoir says
Wow! For years I have had an insatiable appetite fir meatloaf about twice a year. Have tried recipe after recipe since the 90’s and while some have been horrible to okay This recipe is THE BOMB! Truly made it exactly as directed and it was perfect. Made it for dinner party of six and everyone wanted the recipe. I was a bit dismayed that I had no leftovers. It is perfection!
Melissa says
This recipe is delicious. I used moose burger and it turned out very moist. However, I would definitely double or triple the sauce next time, perhaps it was because mine was thick but definitely didn’t seem like enough.
glenda says
Good & tasty! Tip: Pat mixture into a bundt pan, “flip” onto a roasting pan, then
cover with topping, for an amped-up presentation. Also, at 22 mins left of roasting time
add “oven baked rice” to oven, for an almost complete dinner!
Christine says
This meatloaf was easy to make and delicious. I followed the recipe, had to use cider vinegar for the sauce, as I was out of wine vinegar. This was a big hit with my very picky grandchildren!
Rick Polidoro says
I just made the meatloaf and it was spot on . This is so easy to make and has great flavor.
Dave says
I made this with turkey and it came out perfect. Lifted right out of the pan without breaking, but was totally juicy. Made it again with beef, and it broke. I guess I need to do a better job of mixing.
Debbie B says
Best. Meatloaf. Ever. I’ve made it 4-5 times now. It’s fantastic!
Hannah says
Best meatloaf recipe that I ever tried. Easy and simple, thank you,
Adele says
I did make this, it was DELICIOUS, AMAZING, TASTEFUL, JUICY meatloaf recipe!!
I finally found the perfect and most of all simplest meat loaf recipe. I don’t have time nor do I have time to fry other ingredients prior to adding it to the meatloaf recipe as some recipes suggest! Just time consuming, I loved this recipe as it all goes into one mixing bowl then a pan and then the oven!
Thanks for sharing
BTW: the glaze is what really makes this Meatloaf!
Jeff says
Perfect delicious