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.
Red wine vinegar isn’t considered a cooking wine. It us a type of vinegar though. Red wine is fermented and then strained to make the vinegar. It has no alcohol in it and is halal.
Is it possible to double the recipe?
Love this easy tasty meatloaf.😋
It is the best meatloaf I have ever made. I don’t even bother to look for another recipe. If you haven’t tried it, don’t hesitate, you won’t be disappointed.
YUM YUM YUM…We loved this recipe, my new #1 ! The only thing I did different was grate the onion. Super recipe, thank you
Best meatloaf recipe out there, comes out perfect every time. Thank you.
Any substitutions for the red wine vinegar?
This is the best meatloaf I have ever tasted! I’ve been making it for awhile now. I also add green peppers and oregano. Mmmm!
It really is the best! My daughter is lactose intolerant so I switched an 8 oz. can of tomato sauce for the milk.
Can you upsize to 5lbs by increasing the ingredients proportionately or is there a sweet spot for the eggs and bread crumbs?
Very good! Classic meatloaf, nothing added that takes over the taste of a good meatloaf. You could definitely experiment by adding herbs or minced peppers, but it’s great the way it is! Thanks!
I’ve made this recipe several times and our family likes it. We prefer tomato soup instead of ketchup. I use a meatloaf pan that drains the grease and put it in a cassorole dish to finish cooking the last 20 minutes. I pour the rest of the soup over the meatloaf 20 minutes before it’s done. My mom taught me to never overmix the meat. It makes it tough. We prefer ours soft and easy to cut with a fork. The next day it will still be firm enough for sandwiches. Sometimes I add quick cooking oatmeal instead of bread crumbs.
I use 4lb of ground beef and just x4 for all ingredients, comes out excellent!!
Do you cook same temp and time? I am planning on doubling it.
Omg one of the best recipes of meatloaf I’ve tasted and believe me we’ve tried ALOT!
I am wondering if the amt of ground beef is correct. I have always used 2 lbs.
Truly the best meatloaf I have ever made. Great, clear directions.
Thank you!
What can you use instead of red wine vinegar?
I used rice wine vinegar or you can use apple cider vinegar.
I used balsamic vinegar. Tastes great.
I used balsamic vinegar, as well. Delicious!
If you like beer, you could even use malt vinegar. Beer and beef are terrific together and now with all the craft beers and beers from many countries, you’ll have lots of flavors with which to experiment)
I used rice wine and it was yummy the topping.
You can use balsamic but use half the amount the recipe calls for.
White or apple cider work fine. I’ve substituted both.
Try 1 1/2 teaspoons yellow mustard
Apple cider vinegar
Delicious! White vinegar works great as well. I always prepare, taste, pinch if this n that to suit individual pleasure.
Homemade look n flavor..yumm! Thanks
This was the best meatloaf recipe ever. My daughter who hates and won’t ever eat meatloaf loved it!! Question… if doubling the recipe, do you still bake for 55 minutes?
White wine vinegar
Can I use half & half. I don’t have milk& do you suggest sauteing the onions & adding or just raw? Planning to make tomorrow, hoping for an answer
I sauté the onions to release their sweetness.
I just add the onions raw, and it always tastes good. But sauteing them could make the meatloaf taste even better!
I always saute mine, but only because I don’t like the texture of raw onion in my meatloaf. I actually add green pepper as well and saute the green pepper and onion in the microwave for about a minute before adding it to the hamburger mixture and it turns out great 😁
Just curious if anyone has substitute ideas for the red wine vinegar? I don’t have any cooking wines
I used rice wine vinegar or you can use apple cider vinegar.
I use regular white vinegar, works just fine. You only need it to make ketchup glaze a bit tangy.
It’s vinegar, not a wine. It’s just the type of vinegar! 🙂
Red wine vinegar is a type of vinegar. Not wine.
I’ve use apple cider vinegar or just white vinegar. Both are fine substitutes.
red wine vinegar is a type of vinegar sold in all grocery stores mainly used for salad dressings. It is not a cooking wine
I use a mixture of ketchup, yellow mustard, brown sugar.
I’ve done ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar
I used white wine vinegar once and it tasted the exact same as when I use red wine.
When making meatloaf i prefer to make the sauce with honey barbecue and ketchup, just as good and easier if you don’t have those other things on hand!
I was hesitant because the first and last meatloaf I baked came out dry and not so flavorful. So I thought “Why would I suddenly get lucky with this recipe?” But OMG it’s the best meatloaf I’ve eaten in a long time. Reminds me of my moms meatloaf she would make for me when I was a child. 🥰 Thank you Amanda Finks! This recipe was so delicious.
Try balsamic vinegar with ketchup and brown sugar!
Amazing!!!!
Thank you for sharing!!