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.
WOW! So good! I’m not the best cook but come from a big family of amazing cooks. They couldn’t believe I made this. Thank you for sharing this easy yet delicious recipe.
Tried this recipe as a change from the recipe I’ve made for years
and this one is better, in fact a lot better, its so moist and delicious.
Glad I found this recipe.
I have spent my whole life disliking meatloaf… this recipe changed that! Many thanks 🙂
Loved it! Can’t wait to have cold meatloaf and miracle whip on white bread sandwiches for lunch tomorrow. One of our favs!!
Oh yes! Miracle whip with meatloaf♥️♥️♥️♥️
It says a serving is 1/10th of a pan.
I found this to be so yummy that it’s 1 pan= 1 serving.
I’m not sharing….
Such a great recipe! With a few tweaks it comes out exactly how I like it! Been making it for 2+ years now.
I always do 3/4 lb of ground beef and 1/4 lb of either ground pork or Jimmy Dean regular pork sausage. I love using panko bread crumbs. Depending on my mood I’ll grate the onion or cut it up very small. I love the topping that goes on the meatloaf! I always end up with a moist meatloaf full of flavor! Thank you so much for this recipe it’s a family favorite that’s constantly on rotation!
My in-laws loved this dish. It was the first time I ever attempted meat loaf and everyone loved it. Thanks for the great recipe!
I doubled this recipe, does that mean I have to double the cooking rime?
No. You will put it intoa larger pan so about the same length of time should do.
Amazingly moist and totally scrumptious! This is definitely one of my go-to recipes now. The quick prep and simplicity are a bonus!
I’ve made this meatloaf so many times, I now have the recipe memorized! It is HANDS DOWN the best meatloaf EVER! My only complaint is the fact that someone actually thinks a ONE POUND meatloaf will serve 10 (TEN) people. That is a COMPLETE JOKE! At best, it serves 4 (FOUR) people.
I make this for just my husband and I. It’s called Meatloaf for 2. It barely feeds us as he eats almost all of it. Recipe is so delicious and ground turkey works just as well as ground beef. Very yummy both ways.
lol I have to make a 3 lb version same recipe bit use my 9 x 13 dish!! Hubby eats plenty and MUST have leftovers for sandwiches with mayo next day!! But I do love it so not complaining! Be well~
I’ve perfected mine by using one and a half pounds ground turkey, 1 1/2 pounds ground beef and 1 pound of pork sausage. It’s enough for a family of four with leftovers the next day and one very tiny loaf in the freezer for a rainy day snack.
This is my go-to meatloaf recipe. Perfect every time!
This meatloaf was really fantastic. I made for my husband on yesterday Father’s Day and he loved it.
This will be the one I will keep with my other recipes.
Love it. Try it. Easy
This dish is absolutely delicious. I had failed a meat loaf pretty bad almost a few years ago. I had never attempted another one until I came across this recipe. I am so glad I gave it another try, because this turned out fabulous. Even my child who doesn’t eat very much meat, LOVES this dish. He’s already asked for it again! So, thank you, for sharing this! It has gone in the recipe book of favorites 😉
Omg…delish. I love the sauce…I will definitely make this again.
I tried this receipe today for my husband he likes meat loaf and because it is Father’s Day, I wanted to make some special.
It really was fantastic. Very most he enjoyed it I also did enjoyed it as well.
Will be making this again. I have placed this receipe in my book.
I doubled the recipe and used green bell peppers instead of parsley added extra Worcestershire sauce instead of salt and made a second batch of the topping and added it at the end for more yumminess !!! The best !
I always add carrots cut lengthwise under my meatloaf, they cook in the juices of the meat loaf ending up beautifully roasted on the bottom , your family will fight over them as you can never make enough.
I don’t like meatloaf, but I love this meatloaf. I follow the directions exactly, and it always turns out so good.
Execellent flavor and super easy to prepare. My only complaint is it likes any toothiness. The meat is worked almost to a gruel prior to baking, that creates a flat texture in the finish loaf. I will use this recipe in the future, but will add some chopped nuts or whole grains to create the bite it needs
I use this recipe every time I make meatloaf. I tweak a few things but basically the same. We love it!