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. 🙂
More Easy Comfort Food Recipes
Find more of my recipes on TikTok
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.
This is exactly how I’ve always made meatloaf and it has become one of my “signature” dishes. People love it! Never tried the glaze, though. Can’t wait to see how the brown sugar goes with the meat mixture. BTW, I never measure, but I always throw in a little more onion than I think it needs. Yum!
I had to come back and leave a review. I made this for dinner tonight and it was a hit! I really loved the glaze ontop. I did make one change to this recipe. I used italian bread crumbs instead of the regular kind. PERFECT.
The Meatloaf is DELICIOUS. My husband likes mild Italian sausage added to meatloaf, so I included 4 links (remove the sausage from the skin). Because I increased the amount of meat I also increased the other ingredients. I added shredded carrots, used red wine for the glaze instead of red wine vinegar. This will be my go to recipe from now on. I have never in my 60 years of cooking had a meatloaf that was this moist and flavorful. Thank you so sharing a great dish.
Meatloaf fan here! Followed exactly as written & it is delicious. I have been dying for meatloaf all summer but it has been too hot to bake. 60 degrees here & perfect dinner! I had all but the ground beef already at home so this was an easy choice. Always loved the red topping but never used vinegar. It gave it a nice tang. Bravo…this one is a keeper!
Thank You all for the time in posting the Meatloaf recipe ideals yes I don’t know how to cook I am 47 but my Mom was the cook I lost her last year she made a note on her chili but was never able to on her meatloaf nothing will be the same as her’s was but I have not made it my self so any ideals or great.
Best meatloaf I have ever had! Loved it! So moist and has a great flavor. My kids raved about it!
This is the best recipe to cook meatloaf, I am going to serve this to my guests tomorrow.
I really don’t frequently consider using almond-milk in savory recipes…they all look yummy even however!
Awesome meatloaf! WILL make again and again! Thank you!
Thank you for this recipe! I added bell pepper and carrots and didn’t have an egg so I used 1/4 cup of beef broth instead. The meatloaf was delicious and the timing and oven temperature was perfect! God bless you and I’ll definitely be saving and looking for mor of your recipes! 🙂
Do you use flavored or plain bread crumbs? Thanks
What size meatloaf pan?
I have made meatloaf before but it didn’t turn out so good. I tried this recipe two days ago and my husband really liked it and so did I. It was delicious I wrote down the ingredients for whenever I want to make again which I’m sure will be sometime soon due to the fact my husband was wanting more when it was all gone…☺
Delicious recipe!!! Made some additions and substitutions utilizing what I had on hand. Used coconut milk instead of milk. Added a handful of organic shredded carrots and zucchini. My husband loves meatloaf and I never have…especially with ketchup! However, this turned out so yummy, he loved it and so did I…and that’s saying a lot!!!
My son does not eat cakes. So for his 21st birthday I used a cake mold and double amount of glaze for a salty birthday cake. It was a hit! Got many compliments
I had a second birthday cake Dona’s not to disappoint our guests
Love the recipe as does my family. Thanks for taking the time to post.
I make dinner for my husband’s 88 year old grandfather every day. I prepare a meal and take it over the next day for him to enjoy. This meatloaf recipe has never let me down! I make him a full loaf and he freezes it for future dinners when we are out of town or busy with our boys’ practices. Thank you so much for this recipe. It always puts a smile on his face!
Waoo! meatloaf is very tasty recipe, I enjoy it with my friends and in this post its described very well. I appreciate your writing.
loved this meat loaf it was very tasty will be making it again
5 🌟
Really tasty. The topping sets it off
I used ground venison. Will definitely make again.