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.
Easy to make and very delicious! Kids even asked for seconds!
Family loved this recipe. My grandson declared it better than the ones we have tried from the grocery store. High praise from a nine-year-old
Can you make in a crockpot??
How long does it take to cook in a muffin pan?
What if I only have 80% meat? Will it come out the same?
True to her word, this is my new favorite meatloaf recipe. And I’m a meatloaf snob. I did use gluten free bread crumbs, but everything else was as is
This has become my go to recipe for meatloaf. I do use 80/20 but I also put it on a roasting pan (the one with the slots) and the fat drips through.
Excellent recipe. I add 2 slices of cooked bacon on the bottom and 2 slices on top.
I like to make gravy with meatloaf, but usually there is not enough fat.
Best meat loaf I’ve ever made!
Delicious! My recipe is almost identical but I use Chili Sauce instead of ketchup. I don’t use the Worcestershire or garlic powder but the Chili Sauce gives it a good flavor. If you have Chili Sauce on hand try it sometime!
I’ve made this several times and am making it again today at the request of my friend who’s coming over for dinner. I don’t use 90% lean and it still comes out great. I use a meatloaf pan so the dripping drain while cooking. Great recipe.
Seems like a lot of breadcrumbs for 1 pound of meat. It’s in the oven now, so we’ll see😘
Best meatloaf ever! My kids devoured it and my son is extremely picky! I should have made two!
Was very good!!
I added some molasses to the mixture as well
My husband and kids like sweet
Thanks so much
very good recipe. Just like Mom’s recipe, which I lost.
I’ve tried a few different meatloaf recipes lately. I wasn’t able to use red wine vinegar, like your recipe called for, but I loved it. It was the best meatloaf I’ve ever had! It smelled good before I I even cooked. Thank you
I am a person who doesn’t like to cook very often but I mixed this up and the whole family loved it thanks
I followed recipe exactly! This will become my forever meatloaf and I have tried many. Moist and flavorful!
Made it today and it lives up to the name! Super delicious, it’s a keeper a must have. Try it and taste it and I’m sure you will agree. It’s a 5 star for sure ⭐️🌟✨🌟⭐️!
I like meatloaf again,thanks to this recipe.