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 made this for dinner was so good… I only put ketchup on top Yumm
I love this recipe! I made it for my family last week, and they requested it again tonight. Very tasty, and so easy to make! Thank you for posting this.
Making this tonight and doubling it to two loaves. Would bake time still be 55 min you think? Thank you! Looks delish!
This reminds me of my mom’s recipe.I’m going to enjoy making this while I think of my mother.I’ll let you know it turns out.
What can you use as a replacement if you don’t have red wine vinegar? I have cider vinegar I have white vinegar and I have red wine. If at all possible I need a quick answer.
I use a teaspoon of prepared yellow mustard or dry if you prefer instead of the vinegar. It tastes like a yummy bbq sauce .
I always go to google and look for a substitute
the best!!
Really good meatloaf recipe! I followed everything but the glaze; I just used ketchup without the sugar and vinegar and it was still perfect.
Love this dish , quick easy to follow yummy. I made mine with Mashed potatoes Gravy , SAVED WITH BAKED GREEN BEANS AND CARROTS.
This is the best meatloaf recipe i ve ever tasted & im not a meatloaf fan either. Worth a shot. Definitely a keeper. Thnx for sharing.
-Tina
This is the best meatloaf I ever made. And I love to cook. I am 70 and this is a game changer. Follow the directions and you wont be disappointed!
Yummy and easy. Super moist! Thank you!
Really great recipe. Tender not greasy and easy.
So easy and delicious! I followed the recipe exactly. It’s a new family favorite! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best meatloaf recipe. Tasty and not greasy. Never have any leftover to make a meatloaf sandwich
Can you serve this with rice instead of potatoes
Outstanding. Delicious. Easy to make. Mix really well! The sauce on top is very good. Thank you!
Perfect! Thank you for posting
Instead of chopping an onion I added a soup package of onion soup mix. I also doubled the recipe and cooked 1 hour. Very moist and delicious! The recipe is definitely a keeper!!
I realize this is a Traditional recipe, how I’ve always made it . I just changed it up Abit the other night w/BBQ sauce & My husband thru a fit . Was I really So Wrong in changing up the Traditional recipe ?
I accidentally made this with two pounds of ground beef instead of one. It came out well enough to eat, but I couldn’t figure out why it was so bland. I went back and read the recipe and discovered I had doubled the meat! Gonna eat it up and try it again next week with only one pound of beef which will save me $5.00!