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 I’ve ever eaten..hands down! I thought I would deviate from my usual meatloaf and just try a different recipe. This was the best and moistest I have ever cooked and eaten and will definitely be making this again…as I finally found a meatloaf that was worth the effort of making. Super easy and super delicious!
My first time making. Big hit with family!
Great presentation and VERY tasty.
Love this meatloaf recipe! Will definitely be making again and again. (Thanks for sharing!)
This is our go to meatloaf recipe! We leave out the onions(not a fan of the texture) and sub for onion powder to give it the flavor. It really only takes 55 mins in the oven and is moist and delicious every time!
I actually doubled the recipe and it turned out perfect and I think my husband is still salivating over this meatloaf.
This really is an amazing recipe!! It’s been my go to for quite some time now.
This is my go-to recipe for meatloaf. It’s moist and delicious! I love the topping, it’s exactly what it should be. The only change I make is I sauté the onions with real garlic before adding to the meatloaf since we don’t like onion pieces in the loaf. I also was out of breadcrumbs once so I crushed saltine crackers and it turned out so great I do that every time now. Thanks for the great recipe! xo
I really don’t comment on line to much but this meatloaf recipe was out of this world!! I’ve made this recipe 4 or 5 more times since the 1st time that it turned out so yummy. This will be my “put in my recipe file box” Thanks for sharing this recipe!!!
If I decide to double or triple the recipe, do I need to cook it longer?
Yes, doubling the recipe always means adding more time.
Came here to ask the same question. I assumed so and when I made it, I doubled the recipe and it was nowhere near done at 55 mins.
I doubled it and did cook it at least 10-15 minutes longer, but I used a thermometer to gauge when it was done. 160 degrees.
This is actually my second time making this Meatloaf recipe!
I have never had anyone notice my Meatloaf was different before, first time my husband took a bite he said WOW this is really good , what did you do different? ! LOL
Hope this one is just as yummy or better 😋! Thanks for the recipe!
The “BEST”…
Love the topping, great recipe
Making a 2nd meatloaf. Husband loves it.
Request to make again.
Really, really good!! Especially the sauce!
I don’t do a lot of cooking but I had been craving meatloaf and found this recipe on line. the directions were very easy to follow, even for someone like me who doesn’t cook much. The meatloaf was very good although a little mushy even though I thought I had mixed it well enough. I will definitely make this again and make sure that I mix it really well. And I really enjoyed the meatloaf sandwiches too!
I recently made this most delicious receipe recently.Now my family requests that I make it weekly.I serve it with garlic mashed potatoes &green beans.Serve with crusty Italian bread Yummy.Leftovers for sandwiches.
The meatloaf was delicious
If I omit the onions should I add something else or more of the other ingredients?
Been using this recipe for about 3 years now. It is BY FAR THE BEST! I’ve gotten so many compliments thanks to you Amanda!
I use this recipe often, I love it. The family loves it. I started doing one thing differently because of my family’s taste preference, I use jalapeño ketchup in the glaze instead of regular. It kicks up the flavor but doesn’t make it spicy. It’s a great variation. Great meatloaf recipe 👌
My son & grandson’s love this recipe. They come for dinner every Wednesday & would be happy with this each week. I make the recipe as written but I may try some of the suggestions on the other reviews. Thanks!
We are thoroughly enjoying this meatloaf it was wonderful I’m glad you took the time to figure it out and share with us. It turned out so nice I photographed it as well to share
My husband loves meatloaf but I have never made a good one till now!!! He absolutely loves this recipe!!!!
I doubled the recipe and used one pound of ground turkey and one pound of ground sweet sausage. It was moist and delicious!
Followed to the T except had no parsley so I used Italian seasoning and im in love with the taste my new favorite recipe for meatloaf!!!
This is my go to recipe, I use it every time I make meatloaf. My boyfriend specifically requests it, even though he never used to eat meatloaf.
My mother use to make the most delicious meatloaf, but I was never able to duplicate it. She’s gone now, so I just decided I would have to find a recipe totally different from hers, and this one is, but it’s also wonderfully delicious! We love this recipe! This is the one we use all the time now! Thank you so much for sharing!