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.
My husband and mother-in-law loved it, that’s a keeper.
Like mom used to make! Good basic recipe and you’re right…lean meat made it very nice…not greasy at all and definitely not dry.
Awesome 👍
I have never rated a recipe before but I found this recipe and decided to try it. Now I’ve made a lot of meatloafs in my life but I was looking for something different. Tried this and my husband thought it was the best meatloaf I’ve ever made and now requests it at least every 2-3 weeks. It’s easy and delicious! Highly recommend
I have tried many meatloaf recipes over the years. This has become my go to recipe. The only change I made is with the sauce. I use Sweet Baby Ray’s Hickory and Brown Sugar barbecue sauce topped with bacon. It is equally delicious coming off my charcoal grill.
I made this because my friends said they were going to a meatloaf dinner. THEN, I just had to have meatloaf. I grew up with it but I’m a doubter when it comes to “remembered” recipes. Enter this one.
Well, my partner is a chef. Loves my farm home simple food. Raves. From me too. Delish. Love the vinegar in topping. Which, I too, was out of. Just what good neighbors are for. Thank you, Flick
Just tried your meatloaf recipe for the very first time, I was wondering if I could freeze it uncooked and if so what would you recommend
Easy fast and delicious! I do add green peppers and a sprinkle of chicken bouillon on top. I made it to the recipe the first time and it was great also.
I just made this tonight and it was delicious and moist. I used the same ingredients except I used Stovetop seasoned bread crumbs and dark brown sugar. I’ve been making my meatloaves in the microwave for many years and this one I believe is the best yet. I use a 10″ deep dish pie plate with a custard cup turned upside down in the center. The custard cup should have a smooth rim, no ridges. If you use a very fatty ground beef, the grease should get sucked up in the cup. I spray both sides of the cup so nothing sticks to it. Put the meat in the pie plate and pat evenly around. Cook for 10 minutes on high uncovered. My microwave is 1200 watts and it came out perfect.
Perfect delicious
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!
Best meatloaf recipe that I ever tried. Easy and simple, thank you,
Best. Meatloaf. Ever. I’ve made it 4-5 times now. It’s fantastic!
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.
I just made the meatloaf and it was spot on . This is so easy to make and has great flavor.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!!