Classic Homemade Meatloaf

This delicious homemade meatloaf recipe is tender and juicy and topped with a sweet tangy glaze. Follow this recipe to learn to how to make meatloaf with just a few easy steps that your family will love. 

True story, my sister I and loved my mom’s meatloaf growing up. It was often requested by us for special meals or birthdays. Once we were grown and moved out into the world on our own my dad announced one night as she was putting a meatloaf in the oven that he has never liked meatloaf.

 Y’all he’d eaten it for almost 25 years without a single complaint because the girls liked it and he didn’t want to rock the boat. To say my sweet mother was gobsmacked was putting it mildly. 

When she recounted the story to me the next day she was still surprised. How had he eaten something all those years and never once let on he didn’t like it? Not a single clue. But anyway that’s enough talking about my dad and his great sacrifice of meatloaf let’s get to the recipe.

How to make Classic Meatloaf:

(scroll down for the full recipe)

Ingredients: 

For the Meatloaf:

• Ground Beef
• Eggs
• Milk
• Panko Bread Crumbs
• Ketchup
• Onion
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Paprika 
• Garlic Powder
• Salt and Pepper 

For the Glaze: 

• Ketchup 
• Brown Sugar
• Worcestershire sauce
• Apple Cider Vinegar (optional)

Special Equipment: 

• 9×5 Loaf pan or casserole dish for baking

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F then spray a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set the pan aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, mix the ground beef, eggs, milk, Panko, ketchup, onion, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper until just combined. 
3. Transfer the mixture into the loaf pan. Then with your fingers or the back of a spoon lightly press down to evenly shape the meat mixture into the pan.
4. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes. 
5. While the meatloaf is baking make the ketchup sauce. In a small mixing bowl combine the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and apple cider vinegar until well combined. 
6. At the end of 40 minutes remove the loaf pan from the oven. Brush or spoon the sauce over the top of the meat loaf. 
7. Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 165°F when inserted in the center.
8. Allow the meatloaf to cool in the loaf pan for 10 minutes the slice and serve. 
9. What is the best ground beef for making meatloaf?
10. Ground beef that is 80% or 90% lean meat is ideal. No need to worry that the meatloaf will be dry the other ingredients will help in keeping the meatloaf moist. 
11. Do I need to use a loaf pan? 
12. No, you can bake a meatloaf in a 9×13 casserole dish. To do this simply shape the beef mixture into a loaf shape pressing it together. Then transfer into the baking dish. Follow baking directions as stated. Please note that baking time may vary slightly and you will need to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer as the baking times comes to an end. When a meat thermometer reads 165°F when inserted in the center the meatloaf is done. 

Substitutions and Variations: 

Turkey or Chicken. You can swap the ground beef for ground turkey or even ground chicken. Because these meats are leaner with less fat the meatloaf may require less cooking time.

Apple cider vinegar.  The Apple Cider Vinegar gives the sauce a little bit of a tanginess and bright flavor. However if you just hate it or you don’t have it on hand you can completely leave out from this recipe. I recommend adding a tablespoon of water in its place to keep the consistency in the glaze’s texture but the apple cider vinegar is not necessarily a must have ingredient. 

Make it saucy. Swap the two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar for one tablespoon of BBQ sauce. The BBQ sauce will add a slight smokiness and a little tang to the glaze.

Notes and Tips:

• Don’t overmix the ground beef. Combine the ingredients until they are just mixed together. Overmixing can lead to a tough or dry meatloaf. 
• Yellow onion or sweet onions are the best choice for meatloaf. The sweetness compliments the tomato sauce on top and avoids adding any “spice” or “heat” to the meatloaf. 
• Don’t over think the process. Meatloaf can seem intimidating to make but really it’s very simple once you’ve made it the first time you’ll realize it’s easy and your family is sure to love it!

Storage: 

Refrigerator: Slice and store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. 

Reheating: Reheat in the microwave in 45 second increments flipping the slices between each until heated through

I hope your family will love this recipe as much as we do! If you try this recipe please come back and leave a comment letting me know how much you liked it! 

Happy Cooking Ya’ll!

Susanne 

Still hungry? Follow New South Charm on Pinterest! for more recipe ideas!

5 from 1 vote

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Classic Homemade Meatloaf

This delicious homemade meatloaf recipe is tender and juicy and topped with a sweet tangy glaze. Follow this recipe to learn to how to make meatloaf with just a few easy steps that your family will love.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword Classic Meatloaf, How to Make Meatloaf, Meatloaf

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Resting 10 minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 296 kcal

Ingredients

For the Meatloaf

• 1 lb ground beef I used 85/10
• 2 large eggs beaten
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup ketchup
• ½ cup milk
• ¼ cup yellow onion minced
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

For the Tomato Sauce Glaze

• ¾ cup ketchup
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar optional

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F then spray a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set the pan aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, mix the ground beef, eggs, milk, Panko, ketchup, onion, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper until just combined.
3. Transfer the mixture into the loaf pan. Then with your fingers or the back of a spoon lightly press down to evenly shape the meat mixture into the pan.
4. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes.
5. While the meatloaf is baking make the ketchup sauce. In a small mixing bowl combine the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and apple cider vinegar until well combined.
6. At the end of 40 minutes remove the loaf pan from the oven. Brush or spoon the sauce over the top of the meat loaf.
7. Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 165°F when inserted in the center.
8. Allow the meatloaf to cool in the loaf pan for 10 minutes the slice and serve.

Recipe Notes

• Don’t overmix the ground beef. Combine the ingredients until they are just mixed together. Overmixing can lead to a tough or dry meatloaf.
• Ground beef that is 80% or 90% lean is recommended.
• Nutritional information is estimated. Amounts will vary based on ingredient choices and serving sizes.

Nutrition Facts

Classic Homemade Meatloaf

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 296 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g20%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 6g

Cholesterol 83mg28%

Sodium 797mg35%

Potassium 380mg11%

Carbohydrates 32g11%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 23g26%

Protein 13g26%

Vitamin A 403IU8%

Vitamin C 2mg2%

Calcium 73mg7%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.