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.
Haven’t tried a meatloaf with milk in it yet, but it came out great! Doubled the recipe for a 9×13 pan and baked an extra 8-10min. Only mods were sweating the onion and using fresh parsley not dried. Moist and tasty, thanks for the recipe!
Great stuff! The meatloaf won over big with the hubbie, 20 yr old and 18 yr old boys! Definitely a new favorite. I did make a different sauce for the top though. It’s super sweet, but the saltiness of the meat balances it out perfectly. Here’s my sauce:
3/4 cup ketchup
1 ½ tsp white vinegar
2 ½ Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp ground black pepper
¼ tsp salt
I made this for the 1st time tonight. My family absolutely loved it! The glaze was amazing. I used Ritz Crackers instead of the bread crumbs. The texture was perfect. This will now be my go to meatloaf recipe!
Really enjoyed making this recipe. Easy. Tasty. And did I say easy!
This is by far the best meatloaf ever. Follow the recipe to the letter and you won’t be disappointed!
This is our favourite meatloaf and make it often!
I have tried to make meatloaf multiple times over the years, and it has never turned out right. I had about given up. But following this recipe, the meatloaf turned out perfectly: perfectly cooked, wonderful flavor, moist, and good texture. Everyone had seconds. Thank you so much for sharing this; I’m keeping this recipe in my favorites!
Meatloaf is my favorite dish and this recipe does not disappoint. Very delicious.
I’ve been married 40 years and made many meatloafs over the years. I’m not a big meatloaf fan but this is the BEST meatloaf I’ve ever tasted! My husband is a meatloaf fiend and he agreed! It was half gone in a few hours!
Moist and tasty. I will only make this recipe from now on❤️👍🏻
Thank you for pinning!
Excellent meatloaf. Really enjoyed dinner tonight. Thank you
Can I leave out the 1/2 cu of milk???
This is the only meatloaf recipe I use after many years of experimenting. I make it on a baking sheet and omit the glaze since it is delicious by itself. Sometimes I sauté the onion before adding it to the ingredients for an even more yummy texture.
No, definitely not. You need it so the meatloaf will be moist. You can substitute with unsweetened almond milk if you prefer.
This is the best meat loaf recipe I’ve ever had!!
Truly the best AND easiest recipe I’ve used!! My kids love it too.
Huge crowd-pleaser! The only adjustment I make is that I use fresh garlic instead of powder.
i have never been happy with my meatloaf recipe. This one is 5 stars and very easy to make. Love the glaze. Served with mashed potato and fresh peas. Delicious. Highly recommend.
Made many times. Best classic meatloaf !!!
Moist, tasty and all around delicious!
This is a very good meatloaf. I have made it several times. As the recipe says, make sure it is well mixed together.
I make this all the time. My hubby loves it. I only use 1 and a half tablespoons of brown sugar, as I found the topping too sweet for my liking. I always have to double the sauce because hubby always wants extra to put over the meatloaf while we’re eating. Excellent, foolproof recipe.
I just can’t say how much I love this meatloaf! The recipe is easy and I pretty much have it memorized. I really enjoy making it and it smells so good even cooking. We are on a kick with spicy ketchup so I’ve added a little to each tablespoon and even in the sauce. It’s great either way! It’s now one of my husbands favorite meals and he hasn’t been the easiest to please. Thank you thank you thank you!