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.
Awesome flavor and just what i like in meatloaf. It was easy and came out wonderfully good. I will make it again and might even try shaping it into meatballs. Without the topping of ketchup, might have it with mashed potatoes and gravy.
This meatloaf recipe was delicious! Really liked the glaze! 🙂
Can I substitute the red wine vinegar for cranberry juice? I don’t believe I have any other substitutes in my pantry….
The best Meetloaf ever 🥰
Thank you for sharing your recipe.
God bless.
This is a super easy, super delish recipe. With the topping, it reminds me of my grandma’s meatloaf. Which was always one of my favorite meals at her house. Yummm!!!
I love this meat loaf !!
I will make it again & again !😋
This recipe is great! Usually I wing it with meatloaf but this time I wanted to try a new recipe. Kids even approves of this one it was so delicious. Especially the glaze – I had to make a bunch more for the kids who basically wanted to eat it by the spoonful.
Great and simple recipe. Just had to get ground beef had all of the ingredients on hand. Flavorful and stayed moist.
Super moist and my parents loved the tomato glaze.
Delicious! Did not change a thing.
Will panko bread crumbs work okay for this recipe?
Can I make this ahead & freeze it? Should I cook it first or leave it raw?
How much meatloaf should you put in the pan to cook. Going to be my first time cooking it Daniel
Hubby and very fussy baby loved it! I added a few “hidden veggies” (grated and then squeezed the water out) and it was awesome.
Fantastic! My step- dad, who is a meat and potatoes kind of man absolutely loved this meatloaf when I made it. His only wish was I made more for leftovers!
Best meatloaf recipe ever
I do not have red wine Vinager today what can I use in its place?
apple cider vinegar is a good substitute for red wine vinegar.
Some recipes use white vinegar.
i used cooking red wine. i didn’t have red wine vinegar either. and the topping sauce was absolutely tasty. i recommend it.
I live above 4,500 ft elevation and have found that this recipe needs 60-65 minutes to cook thoroughly, FYI for people at high altitude like me. Otherwise, this is my favorite meatloaf recipe.
Delicious! My family and I LOVED it! It was the first meatloaf I ever made where I could taste the beef. (I left out the parsley and added less brown sugar to the topping. ) This recipe is certainly a keeper and going into my personal cookbook.
This is one of the easiest meatloaf recipes, and my husband and family love it…