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. I used to have a recipe for meatloaf that I can’t find. Think it was from my mother’s James Beard cookbook. It said to mix the milk and breadrumbs so I’ll try that. I usually use dried onion soup mix in my meatloaf so I’ll add that too. I dislike the taste of Worcestershire so I liked the comment that used barbecue sauce instead and will also add that. The sauce for the top sounds very sweet so I’ll probably stick to plain ketchup that I usually use. My partner won’t eat anything made with wine so red wine vinegar to cut the sweetness of the ketchup and brown sugar is out. I’ll let you know how it comes out.

  2. Made to use for burgers. Didn’t have breadcrumbs so used the fried onions I got for green bean toppers. Very excellent.

  3. 5 stars
    I made this meatloaf last week and it was outstanding!!! I didn’t have any Worcestershire sauce as I forgot to pick it up at the grocery store but I did have A1 Steak Sauce handy so I used that instead and it came out delicious. It was so tasty that my children are asking for it for dinner again, I will be making it tomorrow, we are totally looking forward to it LOL!!

  4. 5 stars
    Love the easy recipe of Meatloaf. This is one of the better ones I’ve tried. I didn’t include onion as the partner doesn’t like them, but it still turned out wonderful! I happen to have Jalapeno Ketchup and that spiced the glaze up a little bit. We love spicy! Overall, great recipe, easy to make, and had plenty of leftovers. Thank you for sharing!

  5. 5 stars
    My husband and I had this for dinner last night. It was absolutely delicious and it didn’t need one thing added. The sauce was so yummy that I’m surprised it actually made it onto the meatloaf because I kept wanting to lick it off the spoon. One thing, though, there’s no way this would make 10 servings. I say that because in just the one evening we had ALL of it (!). I would say, then, that it serves 4. Thank you for this recipe!

  6. 5 stars
    For years my husband told me he does not like meatloaf so I have never made it. Yesterday I was making food for my 94 year old father and decided I would make a meatloaf for him. After the meatloaf was cooled and I could cut it, I had my hubby taste it. He said it was the best meatloaf he had ever had and could we have some for dinner! Found out his mothers meatloaf was always dry thats why he never wanted meatloaf. Just looking at the recipe again and realized I left out the petite diced tomatoes still came out great. Thank you for posting a great recipe.

  7. 5 stars
    Yup…think I’m the 110th review and giving a great one. Great recipe like mom/grandma used to make. I doubled the recipe, added some green pepper and backed off the bread crumbs and milk a bit. Used fat free turkey burger and 4% ground beef. Big Hit!!!

    1. 5 stars
      It will take longer. I suggest using a meat thermometer and bake it to about 160° F. Oven temperatures and times do fluctuate. Different ingredients and meatloaf size can cause baking time to vary.

    2. When I double I just shape it long but not too high on a cooking/baking sheet ( the one with sides) same time but agree with thermometers to check done.

  8. 5 stars
    I must say I have made plenty of meatloaf and this one is my favorite.my family just love the way it taste plus the glaze is just delish 😋😋

  9. 5 stars
    Wow! I am so happy it came out so delicious and flavorful. This is our best meatloaf ever.

    Thank You😉

  10. 5 stars
    Excellent recipe. I didn’t have any Worcester shire so i subbed sweet baby rays bbq sauce. And added 1/2 tsp of s celery salt.
    Definitely will make again but with no changes. I’m sure it’s going to be great.

  11. 5 stars
    Beat meatloaf I have ever made. I tweaked it a little. I covered my meatloaf and took off the last 5 minutes of baking. So moist and delicious!! Made this for my sister in-law and brother. She now wants to make it because my brother raved about it. She brought him home some and didn’t tell him later that I had made it. He’s such a picky eater.

  12. 5 stars
    Thanks for a good recipe for me to follow! I have never made meat loaf before. My husband called and said homemade meatloaf sure would be good – so this is what he got with the changes I made. It was delicious! He actually liked the glaze and wanted a taste of it on every bite. I told him I would make extra next time for him to put on the side! Also, I doubled everything below so that he and I could have it for our lunch tomorrow, and have meatloaf sandwiches tomorrow night for dinner!

    1 lb. 90% lean ground beef
    1 cup dried bread crumbs (I used cracker crumbs)
    1/2 cup diced yellow onion
    1/2 cup diced bell pepper
    1/2 cup milk (I did not use any)
    1 large egg beaten
    1/2 cup petite diced tomatoes
    1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
    1 tsp. dried parsley leaves (did not use)
    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

    1. 5 stars
      Killer meatloaf & easy for a single Father of 5 boys to make. And best of all, all 5 boys gave this meatloaf the thumbs up!! Very rare indeed
      Thank you!Rog- Ontario, Canada

  13. 5 stars
    Made this last night and it is the best meat loaf we’ve had in a long time. Moist and flavorful followed the recipe exactly.

  14. 5 stars
    This is my husband’s and mine by far, best meatloaf ever…and super easy, used the parchment paper technique, so clean up was easy peasy too

  15. 5 stars
    This was fantastic and honestly the best meatloaf our family has tasted! We didnt have breadcrumbs so substituted crushed pringles chips, which was all that was available. I just added sauteed mushrooms and sweet onion, reduced the milk. This is flavorful and moist. I plan to triple this recipe next time and I will try rice for a binder next time. Thank you!

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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