The Best Classic Meatloaf

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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.

Three slices of meatloaf with ketchup glaze on top.

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!

Best Meatloaf recipe - 2 slices on a blue plate

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.
Meatloaf recipe ingredients in a mixing bowl: ground beef, onion, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, dried parsley, garlic powder, salt, pepper.
  • Mix it together REALLY well.
Meatloaf ingredients mixed together in a mixing bowl for the best meatloaf recipe
  • Pour the meat mixture into a loaf pan.
  • Spread it into a flat even layer.
Meatloaf mixture pressed into a loaf pan, ready to bake

Make the Ketchup Glaze

  • Add ketchup, brown sugar, and red wine vinegar to a bowl.
  • Whisk until combined.
  • Pour the glaze over the meatloaf.
Uncooked meatloaf with ketchup glaze in a loaf pan, ready to bake
  • Bake it!
  • Let it cool before slicing.
The Best Easy Meatloaf sliced on a white plate

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. 🙂

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Three slices of meatloaf with ketchup glaze on top.

The Best Classic Meatloaf Recipe

4.97 from 1986 votes
This traditional meatloaf recipe is just like mom used to make, made with ground beef and a sweet and tangy ketchup glaze topping. 
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Video

Servings 10 slices
Calories 164 kcal

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

*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: 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
Course Dinner, Entree, Main Course, Main Dish
Keyword best meatloaf recipe, classic meatloaf, meatloaf with ground beef
Cuisine American
Author Amanda Finks
the best classic meatloaf with glaze in a loaf pan
meatloaf

Check out all of my great ground beef recipes.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    We loved it! This was so moist and flavorful, including the leftovers (if we have more people over, there are no leftovers!). I’ve made this recipe several times, and it’s great every time.

  2. 5 stars
    Have made this meat loaf receipe several times, my family absolutely loves it. Not only is it good but so simple to make, thank you for sharing.

  3. The best meatloaf I ever had. The sauce on top is absolutely delicious. I would recommend it to everyone.

  4. 5 stars
    Absolutely the best meatloaf recipe. My family loved it and said to only use this recipe. Very moist and flavorful. I doubled the recipe and it was delicious.

  5. 5 stars
    This is the BEST meatloaf recipe I’ve ever made. My husband has never liked my meatloaf, he loved his mother’s but she has passed so . . . . . I made this and my husband went crazy for it. He said it was like his mothers’. I tasted it and WOW it was wonderful! This is my go to recipe from now on when it comes to Meatloaf! Thank you!

    1. 5 stars
      I always have tried this recipe and it always fell apart I kept trying because it’s too moist no matter how many times I tried. I kept trying because of all the reviews and tips and my sister kept making it perfectly. Well I moved out of my apartment and tried it in my new house and it turns out it was just my oven!! This recipe is great! And if it comes out wrong and you followed it to a T get an oven thermometer!

  6. 5 stars
    Just made this recipe and the meatloaf was delicious!! The best!! So moist and flavorful. It will be my go to meatloaf recipe in the future. Yum!

  7. 5 stars
    We made this for 50 people at our ALPHA at our church. It was a sit down dinner that had to be served buffet style with everything hot. This recipe was delicious, easy to make and serve and stayed hot and moist on our hot plates. We got so many compliments on it and many had second and third helpings. We made enough for 100 people, so we froze half and had it reheated 3 weeks later. It was even better. Very moist, Excellent glaze. I don’t usually follow a recipe, but I did this time. I didn’t have wine vinegar, so cider vinegar was substituted. GREAT RECIPE

  8. 5 stars
    This has to be the best meatloaf recipe ice ever tried. So yummy! I’ve made it several times and its always perfect!

  9. 5 stars
    Was unquestionably great! Used about 1.5lbs of ground meat – and followed the rest of the recipe precisely. I thought the dinner was good, but the cold meatloaf sandwiches the next day was even better. Will totally do this one again.

  10. I have made this several times for my family and my son will eat it so I know its fantastic. The only change is I double the topping – its really good.

  11. 5 stars
    Hands down, the best recipe. Although I mix half beef and half ground pork but it is great with just the ground beef as well.

  12. 5 stars
    This was a super easy, super delicious meatloaf!! Everyone loved it. I will definitely be making this one again!!

  13. 5 stars
    I had one pound of ground beef on hand and most of my meatloaf recipes call for 2 pounds of ground beef or my brother’s gourmet combo of ground beef, pork and veal. I decided not to reduce one of my larger volume recipes in half just to see how a one pound meatloaf would turn out. I’m so glad I did! The meatloaf was scrumptious! I sent the recipe to my daughters who are novice cooks and just now compiling recipes. Thanks for such a delicious – and easy – meatloaf recipe. I’m keeping this recipe on file.

  14. 5 stars
    This meatloaf is the best I have ever made! It is so simple and easy to make. I have made and tried tons of meatloaf recipes over the years and nothing compares to this one. There is no need to try to make it fancy by adding extra veggies and/or spices. It is simply amazing. Thank you for sharing this recipe! It is now my go to for a quick prep dinner.

About Amanda Finks

I’m a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist living in Zionsville, IN. I’m an avid cook, travel nerd, & lover of good food! I’m trained in Food Science & recipe development. It’s my mission to bring you the BEST recipes your whole family will love!

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