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’ve always made my mom’s meatloaf. But when I found this recipe my husband RAVED about it. In fact he invited our daughter and her husband over today so I could make it again and let them taste the wonderfulness of a truly Classic Meatloaf!! Thank you for sharing!! ♥
This is really good!
I didn’t have breadcrumbs so used 1 cup of crushed Rirz crackers instead. I also had to use white vinegar for the sauce. Luckily, neither of my substitutions interferes with the result.
Thank you for this comfort food classic.
This meatloaf was a hit!!!
I was told by my boyfriend and his best friend that it was better than their mother’s meatloaf. In the south…. That is a HUGE DEAL!
Thank you for sharing your recipe!
April 25, 2020
Best meatloaf I have ever made. It was perfect, not dry at all, very moist and very tasty. The sauce on the top with the sweet savory taste was delicious. I will certainly make this again. If you want a really good meatloaf recipe, try this one.
You are using a non-stick pan. Shouldn’t the temp be reduced to 325°?
Excellent. Only meat loaf that is made in my house fro. Now on.
Yummmmmmm
Best meatloaf we’ve ever had. And simple. The best combination. Have made it several times now and both my husband and picky kids eat it all up. One question: If I were to make in muffin tins, would you modify anything? My kids love bite sized/mini anything 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
This was so delicious, I sautéed the onions first instead of mixing them in raw and used bbq sauce because I didn’t have ketsup. Perfectly moist absolutely delicious
This turned out perfectly.
This was absolutely AMAZING!!! Soooo tender. I thought it was crazy to add milk…but it turned out so great and yummy. My teenage son who’s never had meatloaf before love, love, loved it. I’ve added this recipe to my homescreen on my phn. I’ll definitely be making this again.
The best I’ve ever had! My 3 teenagers inhaled it! I doubled the recipe, substituted 1/2 of the breadcrumbs for jalapeno potato chips, 3/4 cup of milk, 2 1/4 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce, 3 tbsp of dried minced onion, everything else was as this recipe called for (doubled). If you donxt like it, there is something wrong with you 😁
Great Recipe. Very moist and delicious. Works well also with medium ground beef, but there is a lot of fat if you use medium. Have also substituted onion powder for the onion and that works just as well. My husband is not a ground beef lover but he loves this meatloaf. My go to ground beef recipe.
I’ve tried a few meatloaf recipes over the years and love this one. Simple, classic & delicious. Kids and adults alike will love it. Thank you!
I adore this recipe.
Have made it several times and also add finely chopped celery to add some additional texture
Use gluten free panko crumbs and they are great in the mixture!
Thank you for sharing this already treasured recipe.
Haven’t made meatloaf in many years even though my husband loves it (I don’t). Seemed like a good idea while sheltering in. I searched for recipes and I hit the jackpot. Easy and delicious. The only change I made was to sauté the onions first. Hubby loved it and I did as well. Will absolutely make it again.
This is the best meatloaf recipe! The glaze really sets it apart and it’s so moist and delicious that my husband went from hating meatloaf to absolutely loving it! I usually add some extra onions and mix matzo meal with bread crumbs 50:50, but really this recipe is perfect just the way it is! This is my go-to recipe for meatloaf now.
I’ve made this twice with excellent results both times. My son loves it and even super picky little girl said she liked it. I love this delicious classic meatloaf – comfort food at it’s best.
Excellent! Just made this for lunch. Subbed in Italian seasoning for the parsley and didn’t have the Worcestchire sauce. Still turned out beautifully and my Dad loved it (and he hates new things!) 🙂
This was the best meatloaf I have ever made it’s very tasty
I was super hesitant to try this recipe due to the crazy amount of liquid in it but all the high reviews changed my mind. I’m SO glad I made this meatloaf. It was, hands down, one of the better — if not the best — recipe I’ve ever had. Delicious and moist without being overly soggy, truly a wonderful texture. I highly recommend with zero reservations — try it, you’ll like it!!