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. 🙂
More Easy Comfort Food Recipes
Find more of my recipes on TikTok
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.
This was delicious. My husband ate all of it.
Have made the recipe 4 times counting tonight. Last two times have also added chopped roasted Hatch chilies. A little extra of panco bread crumbs as I go a little over on the L&P and a little over on the onion and a bit of red bell pepper. Only complaint is the glaze recipe is not near enough have to double it almost to get enough to cover the meatloaf like in your pictures. But love the glass and add a little honey and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper. Great recipe.
Just made this and it was the best meatloaf ever!
I don’t eat meatloaf, but my I make this for my family and they absolutely love it! My 89-year-old grandmother is very picky, and she looks forward to this when I say I will make it for her. Even my 95-year-old grandfather (who recently started to develop dementia and doesn’t eat very much these days) will sit down and eat an entire serving. They all say it’s so moist and has great flavor.
Hello, I am going to making this recipe tomorrow! Is there anyway I can use 85% lean ground beef? It is what I have on hand!
Great recipe! I made the following modifications:
added a a few tablespoons of ground Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, a splash of fish sauce for umami flavor, a splash of cholulu hot sauce and a bit of chili powder for extra bite, a little lemon zest, some dried oregano and thyme, and coated it with a thin layer homemade bourbon barbecue sauce.
It’s banging!!!!
Very Good!! Family loved it!!! i din’t have any Worcestershire Sauce so used AL and BBQ sauce mixed together and worked fine. Also didn’t have red wine vinegar so used Balsamic instead. i used organic bread crumbs since i am Gluten intolerant .. Thanks so much!!!
The best meatloaf I have ever made. A hit with my husband. I used 80/20 hamburger. Doubled the recipe. Added about 1/2 a sleeve of Ritz Crackers, didnt add any milk. The topping was delicious. Cooled it for 10 minutes, used parchment paper. It held together well.
I rarely follow recipes to the letter, but this time I did. It’s an easy recipe and the loaf has a nice consistency, but, to be completely honest, I wish it was little more flavorful.
I made this meatloaf exactly as written and it is AMAZING! So simple and delicious. Will definitely make again!
This is the only meatloaf recipe I make. Dinner favorite for everyone. I serve it with mashed potatoes and corn. Best meatloaf I’ve ever had.
This classic meat loaf is wonderful. And after making it a few times
I had the courage to add anything left over in frig such as mixed vegetables,
rice, or canned vegetables to stretch the meatloaf.
However, adding a pound of hot sausage to the ground beef adds great flavor
to begin with.
This classic meatloaf has a 1000 variations to work with. All of you young wives
use your flavors you like and it will always be a success.
Thanks to our great cook/baker to start us off with good harmonies flavors to start
with.
I give this receive 5 stars. I’m
Best meatloaf recipe I’ve tried! Reminds me of my grandmother’s recipe and makes awesome sandwiches the next day!
I have made this meatloaf a number of times now. It is the ONLY meatloaf I make anymore. I love this recipe as is. Delicious and easy. You really can’t go wrong. And everyone loves it. Thank you!!!
Okay – I follow this reciepe – Plus I chop green peppers into it. I also take a loaf of cream cheese and set in 1 inch from the edges and make a little dome shape over it instead of flatening in out completely with the meat. I also sub the Ketchup with 60% BBQ sauce for topping and in the meatloaf. UMMMM – YES! College kid said it was unreal.
Can this be made without the glaze on top? If so, should I modify the temp/ cooking time? My husband detests both ketchup and vinegar. He doesn’t mind ketchup blended into the meat, but any appearance of it sends him over the edge. Thank you!
My family doesnt like the glaze on top. So I make it on the side and saute it in a small pan for me to dip my meatloaf in. It is amazing.
1st Attempt came out amazing my kids loved it and was a really bit hit. The glazing on top was the best I think I will use it for sticky wings.Thank you for Sharing.
Absolutely the BEST meatloaf I’ve ever had!!! My son mentioned that he thought it was better than what my mom used to make. No more searching for a good recipe cause I found the best.
This recipe turned out to be so delicious. This was my first time making a meatloaf and it was a hit with my fiancé! The only change I made was to add some green peppers as well. The seasoning was great! Will definitely make this again. Moist and delectable. Thank you Amanda.
Best meatloaf by far! i double the recipe because it disappears at the table quickly. It reminds me of meatloaf i had as a child, that a neighbor always made on Sundays. I added finely chopped green pepper after I realized that was all that was missing for it to taste identical to that meatloaf i adored as a kid.
thank you so much for sharing this. I have already passed it along to my kids.
How long did you cook it for double recipe. I’m trying it for the first time.
I’m trying to figure that out too. Just made it doubled and it’s in the oven, not sure for how long though 🥺
I was wondering the same thing. I have a large family. One is not going to be enough. I have to double. But thinking we make 2 in separate loaf pans?
That’s exactly what I did!
Hi. I had the same question and learned that a 2lb meatloaf baked at 350 shouldn’t take any longer than an hour.
I cooked a double recipe for 1 hour, 15 minutes
Thank you for sharing this awesome recipe. Hands down the best I’ve had…ever! Anyone who hasn’t tried this yet don’t know what they’re missing. To sum this up in one word… YUM
I have made a lot of meatloaf and this by far had the best flavor. I think the sauce on top just finished it off nicely. Can’t wait to make it again!!!