Meatloaf

Homemade Meatloaf is a hearty dish that’s so easy to make. This no-fail classic recipe has a sweet and tangy ketchup glaze on top. It’s tender, juicy with so much flavor in each bite. This will be your new go-to meatloaf recipe!

Everyone needs a classic homemade meatloaf recipe and this is a great one made with simple ingredients and is a crowd-pleasing comfort food! This is such an easy recipe and the results are tender and moist meatloaf every time with a sweet and tangy glaze.

There’s nothing worse than dry and dense meatloaf – we’ve all experienced it and I can promise with this meatloaf recipe you won’t have that problem. I’ve been making meatloaf the same way for years – this recipe is foolproof and always gets rave reviews. Oh, and the leftovers make the best meatloaf sandwiches. Add baking a meatloaf to your family’s meal plan this week, you’ll be glad you did.

Why You’ll Love Recipe

• This recipe only requires 10 minutes of prep time. Then let it bake to perfection in the oven!
• Homemade meatloaf doesn’t have to be dry and flavorless. This recipe is full of flavor, always juicy, and so tasty!
• One meatloaf serves 6. And you can easily double or triple this recipe to make more servings if you are feeding a crowd.

Ingredients For Easy Meatloaf

• Ground beef – Make sure to use 85% lean ground beef because the higher fat percentage will give you more flavor. You can also use a mix of ground sausage, ground turkey or ground chicken with the ground beef.
• Eggs – Eggs help bind the meatloaf together and are also a source of moisture.
• Bread crumbs – Use Italian flavored bread crumbs for more flavor. If you use regular panko breadcrumbs, add some Italian seasoning. You can also use quick oats.
• Milk – A splash of milk moistens the breadcrumbs and makes your meatloaf nice and juicy.
• Seasonings – Seasoned salt, black pepper and garlic powder flavor this dish so well. You could also mince a few fresh cloves of garlic if you want a more bold flavor.
• Onion – Peel and chop into a fine dice for great flavor throughout the meatloaf.

Glaze

• Ketchup – This will be the main ingredient in your meatloaf glaze.
• Brown sugar – The perfect sweetness to the ketchup sauce and adds tons of depth to the flavor plus this helps the glaze to caramelize.
• Prepared yellow mustard – A touch of yellow mustard adds a little tang to the sauce on top.

How to Make Meatloaf

Mix the meatloaf ingredients in a large bowl until just combined. The easiest way to do this is with your hands – it makes it easier to mix thoroughly without over-mixing.

Place the meatloaf mixture in the prepared loaf pan. Lightly pat it to fit it into the pan. It should be in an even layer.

Make the sauce by combining the ketchup, brown sugar and yellow mustard in a bowl. Then spread the sauce over the loaf in the pan.

Bake the meatloaf in a preheated oven for one hour to an hour and 15 minutes. The meatloaf is done with the internal temperature is 160 degrees Fahrenheit in the center.

When it’s done baking, let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Give this family favorite a try this week – you won’t regret it. It turns out perfectly every time and the taste incredible! I know you will love this recipe as much as we do.

Can I Make Meatloaf Ahead Of Time?

Want to make it ahead? You can assemble the meatloaf and sauce and then freeze it for up to two months. Thaw it fully in the refrigerator and then bake it as instructed.

Storage And Reheating

Fridge: Leftover meatloaf will keep in an airtight container for three to four days. You can also wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

Freezer: Freeze meatloaf in an airtight container, freezer bag, or wrapped tightly in a double wrap of plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheat leftover meatloaf in the microwave or oven for easy lunches and dinners. You can even reheat leftovers in the air fryer.

How To Serve Meatloaf

We love a meat and potato dinner in our house and we usually enjoy this meatloaf with either smashed potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, or mashed potatoes. To add a few greens to the mix, I love to prepare delicious roasted veggies, crispy broccoli, or tender asparagus. Don’t forget, you can’t go wrong with some easy homemade breadsticks, crescent rolls, or dinner rolls! One more big favorite in our house is a classic Mac And Cheese dish, we rarely have leftovers of this.

More Amazing Meatloaf Recipes

• Pinwheel Meatloaf has a wonderful cheesy rice filling, baked, and then sliced for a pretty presentation. It’s a super unique way to enjoy this classic dish.
• If you love Italian flavors, be sure to try my easy Italian Meatloaf. It’s loaded with flavor and best of all it’s stuffed with cheese!
• Make a complete meal on one pan with Sheet Pan Mini Meatloaves with Veggies! Classic saucy meatloaf with carrots and potatoes all cooked together at once.
• Instant Pot Meatloaf is full of incredible flavor plus you can cook your meat and potatoes in the pressure cooker at the same time. Super tasty and super convenient – that’s a winning recipe if you ask me.