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.
Best meatloaf ever!
Thank you!!!
This is the best meatloaf I have ever made. I do make good meatloaf but this one was so moist. This is now my go to meatloaf recipe.
My husband and our friend went on and on about how good it was.
Literally make this almost once a week! My fav meatloaf recipe! Even some friends have stolen it as well 🤣
Only thing I do different is use ground turkey instead of ground beef (it makes your meatloaf stick way better, it’s healthier, & less grease) & I double the topping. Everyone loves it.
Searching for a classic easy meatloaf last night and this came up. It was exactly what I was looking for. Flavorful, moist and super easy to prepare. The family loved it. I was never a meatloaf fan growing up but this may have changed that!
This is absolutely the best meatloaf recipe and I make it regularly. I slice up the leftover, wrap the slices individually in cling wrap and freeze them. Always delicious! Thank you!
Loved this. Everything came out perfectly.
Easy to prepare and my family and I loved it. This will now be my go to recipe and I’ve tried several.
Very delicious, I omitted the onion & used A1 instead of westishire. Came out perfect in my air fryer!
I love this recipe so much that I go by it every time that I fix meatloaf!! thank you
I don’t really care for meatloaf, but have been trying to find one I like. I made this tonight and liked it a lot. I would definitely make it again.
Love this meatloaf! Better than Cheddars!!
This is the BEST recipe for Meat Loaf…my grandson loves it! Wants it every time I come to visit!
Moist, great tasting meatloaf.
This had been my go to meatloaf for several years now. Sorry I didn’t review it until now. My husband and son both LOVE it! I have made many versions of meatloaf over the years, including Paula Deen’s, and this one is the favorite. It comes out perfect everytime!
I love this recipe! It is now my regular meals at home. And I have gotten alot of compliments. Thank you for sharing.
Meatloaf is exceptional! Great flavor and not dry. I usually double the recipe and make 2 loaf pans so my son can freeze one to take to college.
Just wanted to thank you for this recipe. Made 2 meatloaves (1 – 2 lbs & 1 – 1 lb) the same day and they were both fantastic!!!! Followed recipe precisely and they turned out perfect as the recipe and reviews state. I only added diced bell peppers to them because I typically have more vegetables in my meatloaf (shredded carrots, diced celery, onions and bell peppers).
This recipe was a supper hit with the family that received the large loaf along with the small one for home. Husband loved it! Outstanding and so appreciated!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
If you double the batch can you use one loaf pan? What about triple?
Scrumptious meatloaf! The entire family loved it! Glad I made a double batch!
I made a double batch. I used one pound of ground beef and one pound of ground pork. It was something that I have wanted to do for a long time. I used the same combo for spaghetti sauce and my guys loved it! Well, the meatloaf came out so good that I was given one complement after another throughout the entire meal! Even my brother l, who doesn’t say a lot, murmured a mmmmm after his first bite! Best meatloaf I have ever tried!!!
I love this recipe. It is easy and tasty. I have been making it for the last 2 years maybe.. one of my favorite recipes and BTW I am not a great cook! 😆
It was the best meatloaf I ever made! Since my husband is diabetic I used a combination of parmesan cheese and crushed low carb crackers in place of the breadcrumbs, and almond milk in place of regular milk. I also used low sugar ketchup. I cut the topping measurements in half on account of the brown sugar, but it was still delicious. I discovered that Splenda makes brown sugar so next time I’ll use that in the full amount. It took a little less time to cook for some reason – about 45 minutes. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe!
My family loves loves loves this meatloaf. I use dark brown sugar rather than light. Everyone gets excited when they find out I’m making it.
This was absolutely the Best Meatloaf I have ever made!
Absolutely delicious, almost as good as my dear moms. Made it the first time and my girlfriends loved it, as did I. Thank you for the recipe.