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. 🙂
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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.
I have made this so many times!!!!!! It’s delicious! We use ground Turkey instead of beef. And I make a little extra of the topping, just incase anyone wants a little extra after we serve aka ME! 😂
Great recipe! I always bake it straight on parchment for the extra “crust”. I Sautee the onions with fresh garlic too.
This meatloaf recipe is truly great! Perfectly balanced flavor and texture. Very easy to make. I have found my new, signature, go-to family dish!
I’ve been making this recipe for almost 4 years now, my husband who “doesn’t like meatloaf” requests this almost weekly. This is the BEST meatloaf! I typically double the sauce and bake in muffin tins!
I hsve been making my mothers Meat loaf for many years. Good but-a little boring already! I was looking for something different. I certainly found it ! Love It! Juicy and so filled with flavor.
Sorry MOM
Amazing meatloaf, can’t wait to meal prep it. I make two 2 pound loafs, get almost 20 meals. Can’t wait to eat them for lunch. And yes, the sauce is amazing as well!
This is really the easiest and best meatloaf ever. The meatloaf stays moist and the glaze is delicious. The only thing I do do different is season the loaf with a polish seasoning salt called vegeta. I don’t use the parsley etc. You won’t regret making this!
#thewholesomedish
The best classic meatloaf recipe is truly awesome. Make it!
This is my go to recipe for meatloaf! I do always double the sauce because we like it saucy! So good and so easy!
Phenomenal recipe that works every time. My late father LOVED this meatloaf. I get all kinds of compliments on it. It truly is the best!!!
Great recipe! I double the recipe, 1lb of 80/20 beef and 1lb of pork, a quarter cup of grated carrot, couple of grated garlic cloves, and 1/4 lb of spicy sausage and baked it on a fine rack.
Delicious recipe. I use it every time I cook meatloaf. There’s never any leftovers!
About the third time I’ve used this recipe. Family keeps requesting it again.
I have been making meatloaf since before the internet. One day I googled world’s best meatloaf and this recipe came up. I have been making it ever since. It is delicious! The glaze to put on top brings it to a 5 star rating.
Sounds awesome…Making it right now. 👍Thankyou
Best meatloaf recipe I have ever tried. It’s even better than my mom’s and it’s the only recipe my stepson uses. Thank You for this delicious meal..
You are right. This is the best meatloaf recipe! I found this very easy to prepare and bake and the results are terrific! This will be my go to 1 oound recipe forever. Thanks, Amanda!
Even with the foresight to double this recipe, I left them promising to make it again ,soon. I was told that it was the best meatloaf they ever ate. Thank you for making me look like a superior cook.
I have made this several times and it is always a family favourite. I double the topping because we love to have extra. Delicious!
DELICIOUS!!
Hands-down my new “Go-To” recipe for Meatloaf
It’s the best meatloaf I’ve ever had! I never really liked meatloaf until I made this recipe. It’s so delicious! The sauce on top is the best!
Fantastic recipe!! My children loved it! My son who is usually a picky eater and usually won’t eat meatloaf ate a second serving! That says it all!!
Can I separate into a 4 compartment mini loaf tin using the same directions? Thank you
Yes you can! I have several times…
I found this recipe during Covid. It’s delicious. It’s one of my favorite things to eat. I scale the size up or down depending how many people I need to feed. We love the Topping recipe so I always double or triple it. Both the meatloaf & topping freeze well!
Thank you SO much for this easy, delicious recipe. It has become a household favorite. We make it at least once a week. The sauce is everyones favorite. I usually have to make extra so they can dip everything on the plate in it.