Best Meatloaf

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This really is the best Meatloaf recipe. It’s one of those must have recipes that everyone loves and is a great meal that the entire family will love. And, you’ll go bananas for the meatloaf glaze recipe!

White plate with two slices of meatloaf with a red napkin.

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Food, like this classic meatloaf recipe, are memories. Seriously, smell and taste can evoke memories. Special recipes will bring you back to your mother or grandmother’s table eating together as a family and enjoying life.

While I think of meatloaf as a 50’s staple, the history is of course much deeper. More can be found here.

Why Classic Meatloaf Recipe Works

This classic meatloaf recipe will certainly bring back to a simpler, delicious time. Everyone’s mother makes the best meatloaf, that all other meatloafs get compared to for the rest of your life. My meatloaf recipe will remind you of your mothers.

How to Make this Traditional Meatloaf Recipe

  • Preheat Oven: First, preheat oven to 350 degrees and then pour milk over bread and let sit for a few minutes so it absorbs the milk.
  • Mix Loaf: Second, in a large bowl combine the beef, milk-soaked bread, onion, garlic, cheese, eggs, parsley, House Seasoning Blend and pepper and next with your hands until well combined.
  • Form: Line a baking sheet with non-stick foil and then form the mixture into a loaf shape on the baking sheet.
  • Sauce: Meanwhile, combine all of the sauce ingredients in a bowl. Stir until combined. Spread 1/2 of the mixture on the top of the meatloaf.
Creating of sauce and finished sauce in white bowl with whisk.
  • Bake: Next bake for 45-60 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees.
  • Rest: Finally, remove from oven, cover loosely with foil and let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
  • Dip: Lastly, use the remaining glaze for dipping.
Creation of meatloaf and finished meatloaf in pot.

LOVE MEATLOAF RECIPES?  TRY THESE FAVORITES

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The Best Meatloaf Sides

Rarely do I find myself at a loss of what to serve with this masterpiece of a meatloaf, however, I do have a few suggestions for the best meatloaf side:

Because of all the various options, this meal never gets boring.

Side view of meatloaf slices on a white dish.

Tips for Making this Easy Meatloaf

Here are a few of my favorite tips for making this easy meatloaf.

  • Use a meat thermometer so that you can get the loaf to the right temperature without drying it out.
  • Let the meat rest so that all the juices can go back into the meat.
  • I use a good 80/20 mixture of ground beef but you can use whatever you have on hand.
  • Do not over work you meat. Blend until just together or it will get tough.

If you’re looking for another way to take your meatloaf over the top, try this incredible Smoked Meatloaf. The flavor is amazing!


RECIPES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED


White plate with two slices of meatloaf

Expert Tips for Making the Best

  • Recipe Can be Doubled: Love leftovers for meatloaf sandwiches! Or make another and freeze for a future meal.
  • Mix up Your Meat: Try turkey or a mix of veal, beef and pork.
  • Sauce: A traditional ketchup mixture is awesome for this meatloaf too.

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White plate with two slices of meatloaf
4.84 from 18 votes

The Best Meatloaf Recipe

Yield: 6 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 1 hour
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total: 1 hour 25 minutes
A Classic Meatloaf Recipe is one of those must have recipes that everyone loves and is a great meal that the entire family will love.
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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!

Ingredients

Meatloaf

  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef
  • 3 slices of white bread
  • ¼ cup of milk
  • ¼ cup onion, finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, finely minced
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 3 Tbsp fresh parsley, minced
  • ½ tsp house seasoning
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper

Glaze:

  • ¾ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ½ tsp dry mustard

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Pour milk over bread and let sit for a few minutes so it absorbs the milk.
  • In a large bowl combine the beef, milk-soaked bread, onion, garlic, cheese, eggs, parsley, salts and pepper.
  • Mix with your hands until well combined.
  • Line a baking sheet with non-stick foil.
  • Form the mixture into a loaf shape on the baking sheet.
  • Combine all of the sauce ingredients in a bowl. Stir until combined.
  • Spread 1/2 of the mixture on the top of the meatloaf.
  • Bake for 45-60 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees.
  • Remove from oven, cover loosely with foil and let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
  • Use the remaining glaze for dipping.

Expert Tips

 
  • Recipe Can be Doubled: Love leftovers for meatloaf sandwiches! Or make another and freeze for a future meal.
  • Mix up Your Meat: Try turkey or a mix of veal, beef and pork.
  • Sauce: A traditional ketchup mixture is awesome for this meatloaf too.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 453kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 142mg | Sodium: 764mg | Potassium: 491mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 491IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 191mg | Iron: 3mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American

30 thoughts on “Best Meatloaf”

  1. I make this recipe and everyone loves it. I do add have the glaze to meat mixture before baking and the other half to top the meatloaf.

    Reply
  2. If you ground up the bread slices to make them into bread crumbs are you still suppose to put them in the milk, sounds like they would disappear into nothing then, just wanted to know what to do if I ground them up

    Reply
  3. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy and corn. My favorite comfort meal! This one looks great. I’ve tried all those complicated ones with way too many spices and ingredients; the simple recipes are the best!

    Reply
  4. I have made this exact reciepe for years and it is the all time favorite with my family also. Can’t tell you how many times people have asked for this.
    FYI if you run out of onions substitute onion soup mix but only half a package and delete the salt.

    Reply
  5. I made this meatloaf today – it’s truly awesome and easy. I minced the onion in the food processor and mixed with the dough hook.

    Reply
  6. Oh my goodness I’m a sucker for meatloaf. In fact, just had a meatloaf last night. Thanks for sharing — going to try yours next 🙂

    Reply
  7. My Gee’s meatloaf recipe calls for sage and it’s the only reason sage is in my spice cabinet! After reading this, I’m adding meatloaf to this week’s menu:)

    Reply

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