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 haven’t had meatloaf in years and got a random craving for it (weird, I know). This turned out perfect. The only changes I made were to use fresh parsley and garlic since I had both on hand. I cooked the meatloaf freeform on a baking sheet for the same time suggested. It was moist and flavorful and the sauce added the perfect tang. Will definitely make this again.
I agree about the garlic and parsley… Are used garlic powder and dried parsley. The next time I fix it I will use fresh garlic and fresh parsley. There is something about garlic powder that does not set well with me… additionally I just love fresh herbs and fresh garlic. I think the meatloaf will be more moist also if I make that change. The glaze was delicious!
Unbelievable! Perfect!
What size pan are you using?
I’m thinking about making this in small individual loaf pans. Would you use the same temp? How long should I cook them/
I don’t cook in a loaf pan. I don’t like it sitting in the fat. I use a rack on a sheet pan I also substitute stovetop stuffing mix instead of bread crumbs. I add a puree of green peppers and onions. Excellent results.
This is a good, basic recipe. I added some grated carrot plus some extra spices. I topped it with some barbecue sauce I had open and a few strips of bacon.
Instead of bread crumbs I used croutons and smashed them into crumbs! I picked Caesar croutons.
To double recipe would I double all ingredients?
My only change was to add 1/4 cup of bell pepper and it was delicious. My new favorite.
I didn’t add any milk, but I did add extra ketchup and small chunks of sharp cheddar cheese dotted all over it. I also added a stalk of chopped celery. It was delicious!
Family of picky eaters (including my hubby)- this was a win! Followed the directions almost to the T- just subbed out red wine vinegar with apple cider vinegar as that’s what I had on hand. Thank you for sharing this go-to dinner and meatloaf recipe.
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! MY FAMILY LOVES IT WHEN I COOK THIS 😀
So I tried this recipe & it’s good but … what I would change for next time is definitely less bread crumbs like WAY less just because it tasted like a super formed piece of meat with a bread like texture & I like my meatloaf to have that texture of the ground beef if that makes sense.
Other than that yum! Also I had only put ketchup on top instead of the wine And brown sugar, it still turned out yummy. Everyone got seconds but it came down to my own preference on texture.
I used 2/3 c rolled oats instead of breadcrumbs. No one even knows the difference and I feel it is healthier that way! Great recipe otherwise. Thanks for sharing:)
The best meatloaf I ever had , my mom made it like this when I was a child, but I never knew what she did to make the texture so moist. I made it yesterday , thank you for the recipe!!!
The only meatloaf recipe you will ever need!
I rarely use milk so substituted with chicken broth abs or was perfect. Easy classic meatloaf.
Instead of parsley I use finely chopped green pepper and add ritz and saltine crackers , the taste is awesome, the family loves it,
What can I use as a substitute for the red wine vinegar?
I used beer n it work awesomely.
Apple cider vinegar or balsamic would also work. Or you could nix the mixture and just use BBQ sauce.
I use dry mustard with the ketchup.
I used some Worcestershire sauce
Yeah, it’s part of the recipe….
I used apple cider vinegar
Can I use prepared mustard, 2 TBS, instead of the vinegar?
A tsp of mustard works great as a substitute!
I usually make a piquant sauce from ketchup, brown sugar, and prepared mustard, like Coleman’s. Nicole
I use allpe cider (yellow) vinegar only because I don’t like the red eine vinegar.
Apple Cider Vinegar works.
I used balsamic vinegar instead and it still tasted great!
Would I double or triple the ingredients for 3 pounds of ground meat?
I tripled it. .turned out yummy!
I would think triple since it originally calls for 1 pound of beef
I doubled meat and all ingredients. But needs a lot longer too cook!
How much longer? For double
Hubby loves this recipe. Can you freeze after cooking or only before cooking?
I’ve been making this for months now. I make homemade breadcrumbs with whatever old bread we have ground up + garlic + grated Parmesan. When I bake it, I make two 1inch meatloafs and cook for 45 minutes. Then we eat one that night and split one for lunch the next day. One of our favorite, most cooked recipes ever!
I make this for church potlucks and large family reunions using 3# 80-20 mix. It makes a more juicy meatloaf. A lways triple the recipe! I also add a little water to a bowl with the onions and microwave for 2 to 3 minutes, drain that liquid and continue with the recipe.
Can I put shredded Reggiano cheese on the top of the meatballs meatloaf