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.
Really love this recipe. I molded it into a bread pan and put left over shredded cheese in the center. Covered it over with the meat mixture. Came out great! *Also? I sometimes use some oatmeal along with the breadcrumbs for a little healthier addition. Highly recommend!
What can I use in place of the milk? Daughter has dairy allergy
Very tasty! At first it tasted a little too “bready” but I got used to it after a few bites! The glaze is perfect!
The meatloaf was good . I just thought it needed more flavor. Any suggestions?
This meatloaf was very moist. Too moist. It fell apart and appeared to be under-cooked. I did not under mix it. I did not under bake it. After cooking 10 additional minutes, it tasted very good, however it was not a “loaf”.
I have never really liked meatloaf, but this one I loved.
I added about 1/2 c shredded zucchini. Served it with spinach, 1/2 sweet potato, leftover mashed potatoes and canned green beans.
Delicious meatloaf recipe, my family loved it!
Not so bad, but if you want to ‘UP’ the flavor, chop finely some roasted red pepper, a wee bit of olive, finely chop a smidgeon of red pepper, and of course add parsley, chopped finely. Keep the sugars to an abosolute minimum. this is supposed to be a savory dish, not a sweet desert.
What can you use instead of red wine vinegar?
This meatloaf was AMAZING! I did not use the glaze for the top, because I prefer plain ketchup and top the meatloaf with a couple strips of bacon on top while it bakes.
I will definitely make this over & over again!
The first time we followed the recipe to the exact and was sad when it was done. The second time was same except bacon added. Great for both of us. This is my 3rd return since Sept.
I am so impressed with this meatloaf that I’ll never use a different recipe!
Use leftover tomato spaghetti sauce – much better thqn ketchup
Indidnt see where you wrote about where to put the topping on and if to cook that or not…
Absolutely did not like this meatloaf, the texture was a major turn off. With the excessive amount of breadcrumbs, it gave the meat a canned/processed meat texture, and the sauce is too tangy for my liking.
This meatloaf recipe has become my favorite! Its so delicious!
What size loaf pan do you use?
Thank you !!! It was a wonderful recipe – very easy and delicious 😋
This is the best meatloaf ever.
this was the best Meatloaf ever. They loved it . thank you somuch