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.
I’ve used this recipe about ten times now. I don’t change a thing. This meatloaf is the most delicious recipe ever. There aren’t enough words to describe how good it is. I make sandwiches with it the next day for lunch at work. Thank you for posting it.
I literally HATE meatloaf. I always have (I’m 37). My husband wanted something different so I decided to try this recipe. OMG it is absolutely delicious. It is so good that I basically ate the entire pan Sunday night. It’s so good that today (Tuesday) I have 2 more pans in the oven right as I type this. 1 for them and 1 for me!
My family loved this meatloaf. I replaced the ketchup with Classico pizza sauce – only because I didn’t have any ketchup on hand – and added a little more brown sugar to the glaze!
I made this recipe without Impossible meat since we are vegetarian. I didn’t have ketchup so I subbed with Chinese barbecue sauce. It turned out spectacular. My husband can’t wait for the meatloaf sandwich tomorrow.
This was absolutely delicious!!! Printing and replacing my existing recipe!!! Definitely recommend!!!
Followed recipe precisely and my husband said it was new favorite meatloaf recipe, so two thumbs up!👍👍
Tried this today for my boyfriend. He loved it!
Delicious and moist meatloaf.
The best meat loaf I have ever had. Will make it again. The very best#
I followed the recipe exactly but it still didn’t come out good for me. For me it fell apart even though I waited 15 minutes and really didn’t have much flavor.
Can someone please help me!
This is my go to meatloaf recipe. It’s the closest one I could find to my grandma‘s. It does not disappoint and it comes out perfect every time!
Hands down the very best meatloaf recipe ever. My husband LOVES it!!!! I double the recipe and freeze one loaf pan of meatloaf.
Great recipe, made it twice already, moist and perfect. Rave reviews! 🙂
I have been making this meatloaf for a couple years. Meatloaf is not my favorite meal, but this recipe is outstanding! It is so moist and flavorful. No one complains about having meatloaf when I use this recipe.
Thanks for sharing it!
So moist! So happy I found your recipe! Big winner for dinner tonight and is sure to become a staple in our home, thank you!
Best meatloaf I have ever made, super easy!
Best meatloaf ever!!!
I love meatloaf and have tried every recipe I can find. This one tops the list. Simple and delicious!!!
Thank you! I made this meatloaf tonight and it was easy and delicious!
I’m so glad I found this recipe. I make it weekly. The brown sugar is literally the sugar on top. 5 stars all day long
I made this recipe for dinner this evening. It was absolutely delicious! I plan on doubling it next weekand baking to 165 degrees in my extra large pan for meat loaf with a drip pan to drain any grease it drips. Thank You for submitting this awesome recipe
Excellent easy meatloaf! It stays together and has great flavor. I have used 7% fat and 10% fat burger and both taste really good!
Yum! This is the first time I made a meatloaf that wasn’t too heavy. I will be using this recipe from now on. I doubled the recipe, but used 1 lb beef and 1 lb pork. I also used tomatoe sauce instead of ketchup. Thank you!!
When you doubled it did you cook it twice as long as well?
This is now my go to meatloaf! It has the perfect tang and consistency.