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.
Seriously the best meatloaf ever – only one we make now. It is so good!
This really is the best meatloaf recipe I’ve ever made! I used a meatloaf blend of ground beef and ground pork. Thank you for sharing!!!
Absolutely delicious! My entire family loves it. This is the only meatloaf recipe I use now. Thank you!
This is the best meatloaf I have ever made. It is moist, flavorful, and a huge hit in this house. Thank you for sharing!
Just made this, only substituted the vinegar types and therefore amounts in the sauce recipe. Turned out fantastic. A tiny bit softer than I personally prefer so next time I’ll just spend more time mixing in the ingredients and see if that helps.as far as flavor goes, it’s delicious! Hickory sweet but Italian zest! I don’t know. It’s fantastic. 10/10 only recipe for meatloaf I’ll be using.
Made this once before & loved it so much!
Just got over being in hosp and want to make
It again! So very good!
The Best meatloaf I ever made it was delicious just love it and that milk I’m from Southdown and we do something different
Wonderful recipe, it’s one I have used over and over. I love the glaze and always make extra. It’s a definite keeper!!
I’ve been using tempo meatloaf mix. They stopping selling it . So I tried this . This was delicious, moist and the sauce was unbelievable. I did everything according to directions . I minced the onions so that they would cook thoroughly. Repeating this one for sure
Yup! Best meatloaf I’ve ever made. I admit though that the milk gave me pause! Followed directions precisely and it is wonderful! Thank you!
I used a plant based meat (Impossible) but followed the recipe exactly except I didn’t have red wine vinegar so I used balsamic.
Delicious! My picky eater husband loved it and asked me to save the recipe!
I’ll be making this regularly!
Thanks for sharing!!
What size loaf pan to use
And if making mini loaves what is cooking time. Thank you
good
As a vegetarian of 33 years, I just used beyond beef and oat milk and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce. Yum! It’s fantastic and the family thinks so too! Win win!!!
Hilary I have not had meatloaf in 33 years bc I am a vegetarian too! YAY I get to have it again!! Thanks!
I may just make theirs and then I have the while pan to myself of the vegetarian one lol
Great meatloaf
Best recipe ever!
This is the best meatloaf ever! Super easy, and super delicious! Also smells amazing when it’s baking!
I have made this 4 times using the exact instructions. It is moist and delicious.
Made this last night and everyone loved it. Looking forward to that meatloaf a sandwich for lunch today.
Best meatloaf ever!!! Making it tonight again cannot wait. Have been making it this way for over a year now, finally leaving a comment hahaha
Good but need more seasoning and less bread crumbs.
Been making meat loaf for 61 years …this us by far the best recipe ever. Thank you
Everybody loved it, especially the picky eaters! You’re recipe was requested and passed on. It’s a keeper.
I love meatloaf and found several I’ve like and just as many I didn’t. But tried this recipe for the family and they loved it. My work schedule make it hard to cook so between me and hubby I cook about 3 nights a week and this is most requested!
brings back memories of family meals. very good recipe. did convert recipe to crock pot stuffed bell peppers and put left over in the oven. Just a super recipe and the topping is better than cheese we thought and not adding tomato paste kept the flavor just right. Like the bread crumbs instead of oats.
If I double the recipe how long should I cook it for?