This is 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 A 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 Keep It Moist
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.
Loaf Pan Versus Baking Sheet
I prefer to use a loaf pan because it keeps all the glaze in place perfectly and the meat is juicier. But, you could line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Shape the meatloaf into a loaf shape. Top with the glaze. And, bake as normal.
How To Make The Best Meatloaf
*Note: This is a summary. The full printable recipe card is at the bottom of this post.
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.
Can This Be Made Ahead Of Time
Absolutely! 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.
Can This Be Frozen
Yes! Prepare the meatloaf, put it in a loaf pan, and top with glaze according to the recipe directions. Cover the pan and freeze.
Place the frozen meatloaf in the refrigerator to thaw about 24 hours before you want to bake it. Then, uncover it and let it come to room temperature as you’re preheating the oven.
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. 🙂
More Easy Comfort Food Recipes
Find more of my recipes on TikTok
The Best Classic Meatloaf Recipe
Video
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° 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 ¼ 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
Check out all of my great ground beef recipes.
Excellent recipe. First time making meatloaf and this recipe is very easy and delicious. Printed a copy since I know I will be making it quite often.
I would like to use Oatmeal instead of breadcrumbs, and almond milk instead of regular milk.
One cup of oatmeal seems like a lot.
Can you please suggest an amount for the oatmeal and the almond milk?
The recipe looks great!
Wow. This is the best meatloaf I’ve ever made. Quick and easy. I doubled the recipe and cooked 5 extra minutes. I also used 1/2 panko and 1/2 regular breadcrumbs because that’s what I had. Definitely a keeper. In fact I think my meatloaf recipe search is over!
This is the best meatloaf!! My husband and son love it!!
I decided to cook it in muffin pan this time and it turned out great!! I cooked it for 30 minutes. Also this time I used cracker crumbs because I didn’t have any bread crumbs. Still tasted Great!!
The best. Made it many times and wouldn’t use any other recipe
Looks & smells Delicious! My Wife says Mmm Mmm good too. Fun & easy recipe, I doubled it.
Great recipe!!! Husband liked it
This is thee one, from now on!!!!
Thank you!!!!
I just fixed this recipe except I did not put milk in but put in not quite a lb. Of pork sausage. Otherwise, it was good to go. Man o man!!! My husband liked it alot… it was very good. I plan on making this from now on. Thank you
I was just wondering about that since we have 2 canisters of Quaker Oats…
However, I used a packet and a half of the Saltine crackers and used a can of evaporated milk instead. I’m gonna find me out how it turns out at dinner tonite!!!
Oh… I forgot to mention that my recipe is doubled since were having some company tonite.
Can you use oatmeal instead of the bread crumbs
The best meat loaf recipe ever! Moist, favorable and easy to make ! This is my first review of a recipe because I usually make adjustments to others posted but this one, perfect!
I made this and it was fabulous. I used Heinz Honeyracha Ketchup instead of regular ketchup, and the flavor is amazing.
Has anyone tried making this into meatballs? Wondering if that would work well. Obviously I would change the flavor profile to make it more Italian (no glaze, tomato paste instead of ketchup in the meat, oregano instead of parsley), but anyone have any thoughts on that?
I seem to be the only one that puts celery in my meat loaf…
I have made this recipe in the past and my family loives it. Now I’m making it for 8 people. Do I double everything?
I MADE THIS MEATLOAF A FEW WEEKS AGO AND WE LOVED IT! Just spend two hours looking for the recipe because I forgot to marked it. Now I have it printed.. wasn’t sure if I was going to like the red wine vinegar but it made the sauce.
Wonderful old-fashioned goodness. My family loved this meatloaf recipe best out of all the recipes I’ve tried. It’s simple to make with ingredients most people already have. Love it!
This is the BEST meatloaf…. I was never a fan of meatloaf but made this for my boyfriend. This is incredibly moist, flavorful, and the topping is the best!!
This is so AWESOME
Can you add Italian seasoning
My youngest daughter makes this for me and freezes it for extra meals. I love this recipe. Now tonight I’m going to surprise her by making it. I hope she still makes it for me. It tastes so much better when she cooks for me😊❤
This is one of the best meatloaf recipes I’ve tried. My daughter won’t eat any other kind now. And it’s just as easy as the recipe I used to use, and I like the flavor of this glaze more than the other one too. This has became a weekly staple in our house, and the only thing I sometimes change is to use fresh garlic instead of powder. But we think it’s great either way.