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.
Best meatloaf ever! Thank you so much for sharing your hard work and efforts to make the best meatloaf. I love it so much, I made 3lbs and 3 loaf pans. Frozen 2 and they were wonderful. Eating the 3rd one this weekend.💕
Do you know if I use a non dairy milk would it would still come out good?
What is the cook time when the recipe is doubled? I LOVE this meatloaf, by the way! It is by far the best recipe I have ever tried!
I did 3lbs and put them in individual loaf pans so they were each 1 lb and then cook them the way the recipe called for 350° for 55 minutes. The recipe is great when you 3 times it because it figures it out for you. Zero guesswork. My all time favorite recipe. Every one I make it for loves it too! Enjoy!
I’ve made this meat loaf multiple times and it comes out perfect every time. My husband looks forward to it when he knows.I’m making this meat loaf.
Came out perfect!
I made this meatloaf for tonight’s dinner. This is only my second time making meatloaf. It was delicious. Mine fell apart while putting it away. I’m not sure what I didn’t do. The only thing I can think of is not letting rest enough. Thank you for this recipe!!
Made this quite a few times. Love the glaze.
This is literally the best meatloaf in the world. Want to feel like an insane cook? Make this! We’ve been making this for a few years and my husband asks for this every few weeks and still says it’s his favorite meal he’s ever had!! It is such a perfect recipe!
turned out perfect thanks for the recipe
Oh my gosh! I have tried so many different meatloaf recipes and was never totally satisfied, so when I came across this one yesterday I figured it was worth a try! Wow! 🤩 the best meatloaf recipe I have found! I have now added it to my recipe book. My husband said it was by far the best one he’s tasted so that’s saying a lot.
My husband and I really enjoyed this meatloaf. I doubled the serving size and made two batches. I put the sauce from the recipe and one batch and BBQ sauce on the other. This recipe is a keeper!
Great,simply great
Love this meatloaf my family loves it
Simple recipe and my go-to for meatloaf! Perfectly moist. Highly recommend using 90% lean and letting it rest as instructed.
Hands down the best meatloaf I have ever made. Texture is perfect, flavor is perfect. I followed the recipe exactly, and It was easy to make. All I can say is that the recipe is going in my recipe book and will be my go-to meatloaf from here on. Thanks for a great recipe.
My ONLY meatloaf recipe🎯❤️ Thanks❗️
Best meatloaf ever. I hated it as a kid. My Mom’s was dry and yucky and I decided I don’t like meatloaf.
Until this recipe I now love it. This recipe makes the BEST ever. Thank you for this recipe.
Phenomenal recipe. My father and I love it!!! Thank you. Best meatloaf ever!!!
Tried this recipe and had to bookmark it. Turned out perfect!
I’ve made this recipe 10 times now and still it’s the best meatloaf I’ve ever made every time no fail
Literally, the best meatloaf I’ve ever made every time no fail