This delicious Classic Meatloaf! comes together in about 1 hour and bakes in a cozy oven for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! You can switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends! It’s that simple and trust me, everyone’s going to want seconds!
Ingredients Breakdown
Classic Meatloaf Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef: You can easily substitute turkey or chicken if you’re looking for something lighter!
- 1 cup breadcrumbs: You could also use crushed crackers or oats if that’s what you have on hand. Just a little crunch adds a fantastic texture.
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped: Sweet or yellow onions work wonderfully, giving that lovely sweetness when sautéed.
- 1/2 cup milk: This keeps the meatloaf moist and tender. Swap it with chicken broth if you’re out of milk.
- 1 egg: This acts as a binder, helping everything stick together. A flax egg would work as a vegan option, too!
- 2 tbsp ketchup: A must-have for flavor. Can’t go without it! (Feel free to sneak in a bit more if you love that tangy taste!)
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce: This adds a ton of flavor depth. Dark soy sauce can work in a pinch.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Don’t skimp on this! A couple pinches will really elevate your dish.
Glaze Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup ketchup (for the glaze): Because who doesn’t love a bit of glaze on their meatloaf?
- 2 tbsp brown sugar: This gives it that lovely sweet glaze that complements the savory perfectly.
Let’s Get Cooking!
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
First things first, go ahead and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This will have it ready to go when your meatloaf is prepared, no one likes to wait, right?
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, milk, egg, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, along with salt and pepper to taste. Don’t over-mix it, gently combine until everything is just mixed together but not over squished. About 2 minutes of mixing should do it!
Step 3: Form the Loaf
Now, it’s time to turn that mixture into a loaf shape. Place the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or into a baking dish. You want it to have that classic meatloaf form, tall in the center and slightly lower at the ends.
Step 4: Prepare the Glaze
In a small bowl, mix together the glaze ingredients: 1/4 cup ketchup and 2 tbsp brown sugar. You’ll want to mix this until smooth and combined. This combo brings such a lovely contrast and sweetness on top!
Step 5: Glaze It Up
Spread that glaze generously over the top of your meatloaf. Can you smell it already? Smells like home!
Step 6: Bake
Pop your meatloaf into the oven and bake for about 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C). And yes! You can use a meat thermometer for perfect results. Also, you might want to check it halfway through to see how it’s browning, it’s nice to get that golden crust!
Step 7: Rest and Slice
Once it’s cooked through, let your meatloaf rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This step is important, it helps in keeping all those flavorful juices in.
Step 8: Serve
Slice and serve warm with your favorite sides. You can’t go wrong with mashed potatoes or steamed veggies you know, the classics!
Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to recipe when I need something comforting and hearty, especially on a busy weeknight. I’m a real sucker for simple meals that don’t require a million pots and pans. I mean, who has time for that? The best part is that it’s so versatile. You can use whatever you’ve got on hand! I often throw in some chopped veggies or substitute ingredients based on what I have. It’s a definite win in our household!
If you loved this meatloaf recipe, be sure to check out my Tortellini Carbonara, my Baked Mac and Cheese, or my Coconut Curry Noodle Soup!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
- This meatloaf comes together in under 10 minutes, you can easily throw it together while the kids finish their homework or on those chaotic evenings when things just get busy.
Make-Ahead Friendly
- This classic meatloaf is perfect for meal prepping! You can shape it and then refrigerate or even freeze it before cooking. Just make sure to glaze it before baking trust me, nobody wants a bland meatloaf!
Budget-Friendly
- It uses affordable, everyday ingredients you probably have in your fridge and pantry already. Seriously, you can whip up something incredibly flavorful without breaking the bank.
Crowd-Pleaser
- It’s the ultimate comfort food that the whole family will love! My kids dive headfirst into it, and it hardly ever makes it to leftovers.
Customizable
- The secret to a delicious meatloaf is that it’s so easy to customize. Got some leftover veggies? Toss them in! Want to switch out the protein? Go for it! It really is a make-it-your-own dish.
Serving Suggestions
What to serve with this meatloaf, you ask? Here are some suggestions:
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes: A classic combo that never fails!
- Green Beans: A nice, nutritious side that adds color to your plate.
- Cauliflower Rice: For a low-carb option, this pairs so well!
- Salad: Fresh, crisp greens to round out a hearty meal, optional but totally recommended!
Storage
- Leftovers? Great news! This meatloaf keeps well in the fridge for about 3-4 days. Just store it in an airtight container.
Reheating
- To reheat, pop it in the oven until heated through for the best texture. You can also microwave it if you’re in a hurry, but it really is best baked!
Freezer Friendly
- Yes! You can freeze this meatloaf for up to 3 months. Make sure to wrap it well in plastic wrap and foil to avoid freezer burn. Just thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready to bake!
Cooking shouldn’t be a chore; it should be a happy, creative outlet for you! So, lean into this heartwarming Classic Meatloaf recipe. Trust me, your family will be requesting this beauty on repeat. Happy cooking, friends! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.
Print
Classic Meatloaf
- Total Time: 70 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
A delicious and comforting meatloaf that comes together quickly for a perfect family dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup ketchup (for glaze)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, milk, egg, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, along with salt and pepper to taste. Mix gently until just combined.
- Form the mixture into a loaf shape and place it onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, mix together the glaze ingredients: 1/4 cup ketchup and 2 tbsp brown sugar until smooth.
- Spread the glaze generously over the top of the meatloaf.
- Bake for about 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C).
- Let the meatloaf rest for about 10 minutes before slicing.
- Serve warm with your favorite sides.
Notes
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. This meatloaf is also freezer-friendly for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
