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.
What if I don’t want to use sugar for the topping? Will it make a difference?
I’m not one to leave a comment on recipes I’ve tried – but this one deserves a comment! That was the MOST delicious meatloaf I’ve ever eaten. Puts my mom’s bake to shame! I’ll definitely make it again, and am so glad I found this recipe. Thank you!
Wonderful! I didn’t have any milk, so I substituted a cple dollups of sour cream (one could also use some mayo) I also used organic seasons croutons crushed and diced celery and green pepper.
ohhhh wow , made this tonite , sooooo good
For the bread crumbs, should I use a piece of bread torn up, or the finely ground kind that you buy? Thank you.
Either one is fine.
If i dont have a loaf pan, can I just form into loaf form?
Yes.
I made this recipe and it is fabulous. People went back for seconds and I had no leftovers. I’m keeping this for my only meatloaf recipe. Thanks so much
It is the best meatloaf my husband and I have ever had. I used Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce for the topping.
I am making a double batch. How much more time do i cook? Thank you
I want to make this tonight really bad, but my granddaughter is allergic to dairy. What can I substitute for the milk?
Chicken or beef or even vegetable stock can be used as a substitute and gives excellent flavor. Made it last night and was excellent!
Use almond milk, works great and doesn’t change the flavor.
Try plain soy milk. Not the sweetened or almond or vanilla flavor. Just plain soy milk.
I use unsweetened almond milk, works fine
Great recipe….everyone really enjoys it.
I use coconut milk, any form of milk works in most reciepes
I made this meatloaf last night and I tell you it is the best meatloaf I have ever ever had so if you get the chance to try it you will not regret it it is so good my family just devoured it and they wanted more so I think I’m going to have to make a double batch next time.
I added 1 tab minced green pepper to the meat mixture and 1 tab Dijon mustard to the topping yummy.will use this recipe again.
Delicious!!! This recipe will be a staple in my home
I made this for dinner and the family declared it a keeper! There are no leftovers. We all love meatloaf sandwiches, but we’re out of luck this time 😋 The only change I made was substituting salsa for ketchup.
The best I have ever had…omg..totally satisfied. 🙂
It’s in the oven! Hope it tastes like my moms!!!
Delicious and so easy to make. Leftovers made a Great sandwich for next day lunch.
Just made it also…. I don’t eat meatloaf but hubby said it was delicious !!
AJust made this, will let you know how it turned out.
I made this tonight, and it was the bomb! I normally do not cook, but this was easy and so good!!
made this, yummy yummy!