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!
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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.
- 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.
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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:
- Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese
- Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
- Cheesy Bacon and Corn Casserole
- Citrus Broccoli Salad
- Garlic Roasted Carrots
Because of all the various options, this meal never gets boring.
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!
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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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The Best Meatloaf Recipe
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.
Awesome recipe, my Wife loves this meatloaf.
My family really liked this meatloaf!
Super delicious. The family lived this one!
divided into smaller mini bread loaf pans. Made the perfect individual portions for serving at our last get-together.
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.
That’s a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing!
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
It makes a pasty consistency. It keeps the meatloaf moist.
I’d love to try this meatloaf recipe but what is house seasoning?
Here’s my recipe: https://www.itisakeeper.com/10427/house-seasoning-blend/
I’m also wondering what the heck it is. I couldn’t find anything called House seasoning at the store
It’s my own blend. Here’s the link to the recipe: https://www.itisakeeper.com/10427/house-seasoning-blend/
You can also substitute salt and pepper.
I’m looking forward to trying this recipe. What is house seasoning?
Here’s my recipe: https://www.itisakeeper.com/10427/house-seasoning-blend/
Not a hit at our house.
Sometimes, that happens. Everyone’s tastes are different, I suppose. 🙂
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!
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.
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.
These are great suggestions, Maryam! I’m so glad you like it! 🙂
Oh, I want to try the parmesan cheese in mine, next time! That, and the parsley, should add a lot.
It really does add great flavor! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
I’m going to give your recipe a try. Thanks for sharing. Found you at the Tickled Pink link party 🙂
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
I need to try this recipe! My meatloaf seems dry!
Coming from Mix it up Monday! Visit me on my blog!
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 🙂
Awesome! THanks for stopping by! 🙂
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:)
Glad I could inspire you! 🙂 And, you inspired me too….I’ll have to try adding sage to mine next time!
I found your blog on Thursday tips and am now following. Hope to see you around at Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters