This Meatloaf Recipe is a classic. Made with lean ground beef it's full of flavor and perfectly moist, I topped it all off with a brown sugar glaze.
Meatloaf is a classic and this Meatloaf Recipe is easily my favorite one. This recipe is simple to make and nice and moist. Meatloaf gets a bad name for being dry but I think I found the trick, ketchup! I served this old classic to my parents when they came to visit and they loved it. To me a fresh garden salad and mashed potatoes are the perfect pairings but if you want more side dish ideas out there.
Sides to serve with this recipe:
- Loaded Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Ranch Green Beans
- Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
- Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
- Bake Cheesy Ranch Potatoes
Cooking Tip:
Here is a quick tip when making a meatloaf:
- Stick with lean ground beef. All the fat will come out and sit at the bottom and using a lean ground beef will mean less fat pooling at the bottom of your pan or baking sheet.
- Use foil. When using a pan or a baking sheet you want to use foil for easy cleanup and removal.
- If using a loaf pan I used a 9x5 loaf pan.
- When you are mixing your ground beef and the rest of the ingredients make sure to not overmix. You want to mix it until they are all combined then form your loaf.
- Give your meatloaf time to cool slightly before serving. This will help you slice it without it falling apart.
Meatloaf Recipe Instructions:
One: You want to start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees.
Two: Prepare a loaf pan or baking sheet with foil and set aside.
Three: Mix together ground beef, finely minced onion, eggs, bread crumbs, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, seasoning salt, garlic powder, and ½ cup of ketchup. Gently mix with hands and then add to a loaf pan or if using a baking sheet form into a loaf and set it on your prepared baking sheet.
Four: Mix remaining ¼ cup of ketchup with brown sugar and mustard. Add this to the top of your meatloaf.
Five: Allow baking for 1 hour and 15-30 minutes or until your meatloaf is cooked through. Allow to cool and settle for several minutes then slice and serve.
Meatloaf Sauce:
For my topping, I kept it really simple. I used;
- Ketchup
- Brown Sugar
- Mustard
Just whisk those ingredients together and top it on your meatloaf before baking.
How long to cook a Meatloaf:
Cooking time can, of course, vary depending on your oven and even your location. I find my meatloaf takes a good hour and a half to get cooked all the way through. I suggest after an hour you check your meatloaf temperature. Once your meatloaf reaches a safe temperature of 160 degrees F or higher then it is ready.
How to freeze Meatloaf:
- Uncooked: You can mix and freeze your meatloaf before baking it. To do this prepare your loaf then wrap in plastic wrap and place in a large freezer bag. When you are ready to bake it allow it to thaw in the fridge for at 24 hours and then bake according to directions.
- Cooked: You can also bake the meatloaf and then freeze. You want to first allow it to cool completely then wrap your loaf in plastic wrap and place in a large freezer bag. And again When you are ready to bake it allow it to thaw in the fridge for at 24 hours and then bake according to directions.
More ground beef recipes for you, check them out!
Baked Meatballs: My favorite ways to make meatballs and so good! Add them on top of pasta or serve them on a sub.
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili: This simple slow cooker recipe is a favorite with my readers. So simple and so good.
Honey BBQ Meatloaf: Another great meatloaf recipe but this one was a little sweetness!
Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Ground beef (lean)
- 1 small White onion (finely minced)
- 2 Eggs
- 1 cup Bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Seasoning salt
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- ½+1/4 cup Ketchup (divided)
- ¼ cup Brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Mustard
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a loaf pan (9x5) with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl add ground beef, finely minced onion, eggs, bread crumbs, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, seasoning salt, garlic powder, and ½ cup of ketchup. Gently mix with hands and then add to loaf pan.
- Mix remaining ¼ cup of ketchup with brown sugar and mustard. Add this to the top of your meatloaf. Allow to bake for 1 hour and 15-30 minutes or until your meatloaf if cooked through. Allow to cool and settle for several minutes then slice and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Great job!
When I took the meatloaf out my loaf pan was half filled with liquid?!! I’ve never made meatloaf before but I followed directions exactly and cooked it for 1.5 hours and my meat thermometer is registering it at 165. No clue what happened but so bummed! So mushy but it still tastes pretty good
Hi Alison, I find that when to much liquid comes from the beef that the beef might have had to much fat. Using a really lean beef with less fat will help that next time. If you prefer a beef with more fat then I would form and bake on a baking sheet so the fat can run off.
This is my go-to meatloaf recipe this is my go-to meatloaf recipe it comes out perfect every time. Today I made a 4 lb meatloaf with 2 lb of lean pork and 2 lb of lean beef it's going to be amazing
Hi love this recipe but just to be sure is it ground mustard or liquid yellow? 😂
It's liquid mustard that I use.
I have eaten a lot of meatloaf in my 68 years and I think this is one of the top ones. This is what I call home cooking without all the fancy smanchy ingredients. Just made with love. My husband loved it. Easy and most of the ingredients are in the pantry. Very happy I tried this and loved the topping. Sweet but nicely matched on the meat.
Thank you very much!
I have made perfect meatloaf for years but for the last 6 months it’s to most! What am I doing wrong?
Are you putting any liquids in your recipe?
This is my go to meat loaf but I add 1 cup of shredded cheese! So yummy!!
For the people who don’t eat onion how much would be a good substitute if using onion powder? Just curious.
Leeks, shallots or garlic should work
Jennie....I love your Pinterest site. I just saved about a dozen of your recipes including this meatloaf recipe. I am anxious to try them now that we are entering the new year of 2020. Thank you for sharing.
So happy to hear that!! Thank you Bonnie!!
My favorite meatloaf recipe, love that it takes regular ingredients and has great flavor. I do about half pork and half beef though.
I'll have to try that with half pork, great idea!!
Thank you for this recipe. We love it! I usually only make meatloaf once or twice a year. I have made this recipe twice this month! It’s simple, tasty and one of my new faves! Live the flavour combinations.
So happy to hear that!!
We loved this meatloaf. The sauce on top was perfect. I will definitely make this recipe again.
So happy to hear that Tina!
Can you use this but make meatballs instead of loaf?!
I have yet to try this as meatballs so let me know how they turn out if you give it a try.
Here is my meatball recipe if you wanna check it out!
https://www.thediaryofarealhousewife.com/baked-meatballs/
I used this recipe for my first meatloaf. We loved it!
So happy to hear that!
The fam loves this recipe! I always make extra topping. They love adding extra to their slice.
So glad you that you all like the recipe!!
Me, my son and our roomate all love this recipe! I love to make meatloaf on toast sandwiches with leftovers, only there are never any leftovers!!
Thanks Jennie!! 😘
Yah!! So glad to hear that. Also, I HAVE to try that with my leftovers next time.
Have you ever tried this recipe in the InstantPot?
I have not yet, if you do I would love to hear how it worked!
How can I adjust the recipe for only 1 pound of hamburger? With cooking times and ingredients, it's only my fiance and I and I hate wasting!
Hi Chelsea! If you click on the serving size number you can adjust it. If you cut it in half to the beef is only 1 pound it will adjust all the ingredients. I would also cut the cooking time in half then check the temp and place it back into the oven if needed for a few more minutes.
Cut all ingredients by half.
Do you cover the meatloaf with foil before putting it on the oven? Or you just straight send it to the oven ?
I don't cover it with foil.
Love this recipe
Thanks Kay!
This is basically the recipe I have used for almost 40 years. My family and friends all love it. In the last few years I have started adding dill to it and for a little different flavor, I use barbecue sauce instead of ketchup. When using barbecue sauce on top before baking, I don't mix it with anything, just drizzle on top. This meatloaf is always moist.
I love a good classic recipe like this! I have done it with BBQ sauce also and we love it. I will have to try it with dill, that is a great idea!
This is by far the most savory meatloaf I have ever eaten and it’s so easy to make. I added a bit of color with snack size red, yellow, and orange peppers cut into very small crosswise slices then diced. I also used Whole wheat bread crumbs as that was what I had in the pantry. I whisked together all of the wet ingredients, and onions and peppers with the bread crumbs to have all the seasonings mixed well, then I added the beef and worked it all together by hand. My brother loved it and he is very picky!
Yah!! So happy to hear that Charmayne! I need to try it will peppers, I love them!