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. 🙂
More Easy Comfort Food Recipes
Find more of my recipes on TikTok
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.
This is the only meat loaf recipe that we use! Always comes out perfect. We have started using impossible burger instead of hamburger, and honestly cannot tell the difference…except how the hands feel after manually mixing everything together. We have it several times a month!
Have made this a few times. Really easy to make and super tasty. We like cheddar cheese a lot so I add some into the middle while putting the mixture into the pan and then on top near the end of the cook time.
I’ve probably made this recipe soo many times already. It is a big hit at my church and through my entire family. My husband and children are the pickiest of eaters and this one wins them over, Every Time.
My favorite!
Best meatloaf I’ve ever had! Liked it so much I made another loaf the next day 🙂
This is always my go to meatloaf recipe. Tonight I’m adding a package of clubhouse meatloaf seasoning to it. Excellent recipe!
I made this recipe for the first time tonight and we really loved it the only change I made was instead of Balsamic vinegar I made the sauce with ketchup barbecue sauce and brown sugar and it was delicious..will be making it again
Best meat loaf recipe i’Ve tried
Excellent! I added frozen veggies to meat mixture and it was heavenly. I substituted ground chicken as well! YUMMY!
Making for the second time! My husband and teenage son love it! I didn’t use red wine vinegar, but it still turns out great! I used 1 tsp. dried chopped onion instead of fresh. Easy and much better than packaged meatloaf packets!
Best meatloaf I’ve ever had!! Made a few adjustments…used soy sauce instead of worcestershire, apple cider vinegar instead of red wine vinegar.
Will definitely make this again and again.
Been making meatloaf so similar to your recipe for 55 years. The only difference is instead of bread crumbs I use ground corn flakes. Gives a little sweetness to it. I do a double recipe and make meatballs with the other half. I add some oregano and grated cheese. One mess…2 meals.
Nice flavor but the bread crumbs gave it a mushy texture. Still quite enjoyable.
The Vinegar in the sauce was genius! I loved that addition. In lieu of brown sugar I used honey. Great recipe
This meatloaf was fantastic. Made it exactly as stated and it was the best meatloaf I’ve ever eaten. Definitely will be making again and again! Thank you!
The word “meatloaf” reminded me of the dry flavorless ick meatloaf we had at school.
This, however, is a wower! Hubby says it’s the best he ever had.
I like to add corn for color and a few shakes of parmesan
This might sound sacrilegious. but we have been making the recipe as is, and are now substituting impossible burger for the beef. Honestly we cannot tell the difference, taste and texture is exactly the same. Great recipe either way.
Tried this recipe since I hadn’t made meatloaf in years. My husband was a bit skeptical since it called for ketchup, which he is not a fan of, but he loved it! I am now making it for the 3rd time since I found this recipe. We absolutely love this meatloaf! It makes great meatloaf sandwiches too!
Thanks for the recipe!
Would this be fine with out the red wine vinegar?
What size of loaf pan? I may have missed the info, I realize.
The only meatloaf my kids will eat ðŸ¤