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.
I’m a single guy and a rotten cook. Found your recipe on line. bought the ingredients and just put it in the oven.
about the ingredients, I screwed up and bought ground turkey. Oh well, it sure smells good!!
I’ll let you know how it comes out.
My son was broken-hearted when the Boston Market near our place closed down. After almost a year, he asked if I could try making a meatloaf. So I Googled for a recipe that has the most star. He was so thrilled. “It’s even better than Boston Market,” he said. My niece never ate meatloaf until this. So, thank you!
If I want to use 2 Lbs of ground beef do I double all the ingredients ? What would the baking time be ?
I made it, but I had to substitute Balsamic vinegar as I had no red wine vinegar. It was outstanding: tender, moist, with sensational taste. Will definitely cook it again.
Made this tonight. So delicious. Opted to use sweet and spicy baby rays for the glaze. We use sweet and spicy pinko as the bread crumbs.
Can’t wait for our left overs.
Yummy
I just love all your recipes.
I love this recipe. It’s the best meatloaf I’ve ever made!!!!
Added in jalapenos, green and red bell peppers.
I like to place peeled, hard boil eggs in the middle of the meatloaf.
Delicious – thank you for a very tasty and easy Meatloaf – will be my go to meatloaf in the future
Loved it!!
I love this recipe! It is so moist and flavorful. I admit, I can’t do a meatloaf without adding an envelope of dry onion soup mix, and I did, but this meatloaf would not need it. Delicious and thank you for sharing. I will continue to rave about it and pass it on.
This meatloaf is one of the tastiest I’ve ever made! I doubled, and then divided this recipe. I then sauteed onions, red Bell peppers, carrots, and mushrooms and placed them on top of one loaf, and then topped with the other loaf, and pinched edges together to seal. Instead of cooking in the oven, I covered it with plastic food wrap, and cooked it in the microwave for 10 minutes per pound, for a total of 20 minutes. Let it sit in the microwave, covered, for 4 minutes per pound. If you’d like to absorb the grease in the bottom, place bread slices in dish before the message load mixture.
This recipe is perfect! The glaze is simple and yummy! My very fussy son even loved it.
I was the only one who liked meatloaf and I didn’t like making it for just me! THEN I tried this recipe! Now my husband asks for it, and I have to make a separate one for my son that no longer lives at home! I add some Sriracha to the glaze because they like things spicy. I love it cold for meatloaf sandwiches 😋
Caramelized the onion and garlic before baking. Was delicious!
I haven’t made meatloaf in many years so I went online to look for a recipe that came close to what I remember. I came across this one and it’s perfect. I lightly sautee the onions in a tiny amount of butter and let them cool a little before adding to the final mixture. I add oregano. To the topping I added a little bit of smoke. It turned out great. Thanks for posting your version!
it was super easy to make and everyone was not thrilled about the meatloaf for dinner but raved over this meatloaf, it’s a keeper!!!
Omgosh!! My kids & I have always enjoyed meatloaf…. but this recipe right here as topped them ALL! Will definitely be making again and again and again👌👌 thanks so much🤩
My husband found your recipe and made it when it was his turn to cook. We loved it so I am using it – replacing my go to meatloaf recipe that Ive used for years. So tasty.