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.
Needs a bit more on the spices. Not as flavorful as we like.
My CORONA-19 go to. Loved this meatloaf recipe; simple and delish. I didn’t have breadcrumbs, so I used 2 slices of multi-grain and mushed into the milk mixture…perfect!
I also made just half the sauce mixture which was plenty.
Way too many breadcrumbs. I think next time I will do 1 1/2 lbs meat and 1/2 cup breadcrumbs.
My new favorite recipe for meatloaf. Double the recipe for the sauce. Also, made as is will not feed 10 people—at least not my family members!!
This recipe was fabulous! It came out perfect. Thanks for all the good tips.
Whole family loves it (I make it without onion)
Vary vary good yes you can use 2 pounds or 3 pounds of meat just times the ingredients by 2 or three but keep the thickness the same as it shows in picture
So good, I’ve been cooking for my husband 52 years, he loved the meatloaf
Best meatloaf I ever made gave the receipt to a neighbor and they thought the same.
Measurements stay true no matter how much we increased the portion and it was absolutely delicious!
could I use half ground beef half ground pork?
Absolutely delicious – made exactly by receipe — huge success!! Many compliments.
Delicious and easy recipe.
I just love this meatloaf it was perfect thank you
Absolutley delicious! Thanks for the genius idea of putting it on top of a couple slices of bread! Mine always burn on the bottom and now they don’t! It used to be so embarrassing. Now I make great meatloaf and everybody loves it! Thank you so much!!
Excellent recipe. You can enhance it slightly using Italian bread crumbs, but otherwise it is classically perfect – just like Mom used to make!
great tasting recipe!
Definitely a winner!! My husband and I love it
Just made this fabulous dish! Definitely a winner with my and me ❤️
Made this for my boyfriend and he loved it. Thank you