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.
OMG!!! Tastes amazing!! Honestly, it is the best meatloaf I’ve ever had!! Thank you Amanda!
This is by far the best meatloaf I have ever made.
Excellent meatloaf. The secret is using extra lean ground beef so it doesn’t end up swimming in fat. I substituted crushed tortilla chips for breadcrumbs (only because I wanted to use them up). It worked! Putting this together was easy and I found it a pleasant way of passing some time in this terrible time of coronavirus pandemic. Thank you or the recipe. It’s a keeper.
I omitted the Worcestershire sauce cause I didn’t have it and it came out so so yummy!
If you use 3 lbs of burger do you actually use 3 cups of bread crumbs??
Exellent recipe. Thanks so much. I am in quarantine here in Peru and I will definitely continue to make this recipe. My husband and kids loved it and I am a terrible cook, but this recipe was easy! Thanks so much!
What size loaf pan should i use?
I made it, first time, tonight and it was dee-lish!
I use this recipe to make meatloaf for the first time I’m 38y and it worked perfectly, my meatloaf did not fall apart and was delicious (not as good as momma but..) I’m in kitchen now making for second time and using recipe again. PS, that why I was able to leave a comment, not the best of memory…lol
The worst meatloaf ever. Mooshy consistently and not edible.
Best meatloaf recipe.
Delicious! The whole family devoured it. I used fresh garlic and parsley since that’s what I had and tomato paste on the inside of the loaf instead of ketchup. I also only used 1 TBS of brown sugar instead of the 2 TBS called for in the glaze, which was plenty sweet for us. Will definitely make again!
This was so good! My meatloafs always fall apart and are too tough! Not this one sooo good – I ran out of breadcrumbs and used smashed ritz crackers. There were no leftovers we just loved it! Thank you !
Wondering if anyone has tried other meats like pork or turkey? Beef allergy, Yikes!
I have made this recipe 3 times now and just love it! I always double the sauce topping. It is THE BEST!
I made this for my family for the first time tonight and it was a big hit! Everyone loved it including myself. This will definitely be added to my list of favorites. I even used ground pork because that’s all I had on hand and it tasted incredible! Thank you for this delicious recipe 👍🏼👍🏼
So for the glaze.. I used the ketchup, brown sugar…and instead of the vinegar!! I made a cinnamon sugar water mixture. And added a tablespoon of that…omg..best glaze i have ever had
I see everyone’s comments but no reply to any of the questions I tripled my meat loaf to 5 pounds which I did the same with the ingredients but how long should I cook it for
I like to use a glass dish w/ cover and add potatoes and carrots to make the whole meal in one dish. With a little water there is a nice juice to cover at serving. I love meatloaf sandwiches with a little mustard and salt!
I’ve never been a fan of meatloaf but it is my husband’s favorite dish. I didn’t feel like making it the way my mother taught me, so I thought I’d lookup a new recipe for meatloaf. I was blown away with how good this meatloaf was. I couldn’t get enough. I realized, after all these years, that I did like meatloaf! I just didn’t like my Mother’s. 😉
This is my new go to recipe! I made it without Worcestershire sauce because I didn’t have any on hand, but I will use it the next time. I bet it adds a little Zest to the flavor.