This classic beef meatloaf recipe just feels cozy like home. Packed full of flavor, this meatloaf is super easy to make. Topped with a quick ketchup-based sauce, this traditional style recipe makes the best ground beef meatloaf. It will be a hit in your family too.
Equipment
1 spray cooking oil
1 loaf pan 8 inch or 9 inch
1 Large Mixing Bowl
2 Medium bowls
1 Fork or whisk
Ingredients
For the meatloaf:
1mediumoniondiced
1teaspoonsaltplus a pinch for the onions
3slicesbreadThis will make about 1 cup of crumbs
2poundslean ground beef
1teaspoonpepper
1teaspoongarlic powder
¼cupparsleyI used dried
½cupparmesan cheese
1tablespoonWorcestershire sauce
2teaspoonsminced garlic
1tablespoonDijon mustard
1tablespoonketchup
2largeeggs
½cupmilk
For the sauce:
1/2cupketchup
2tablespoonsbrown sugar
1tablespoonWorcestershire sauce
Instructions
Prepare the meatloaf
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray the loaf pan well with cooking oil.
Place a small fry pan over medium heat and spray with cooking oil. Add diced onions and a pinch of salt. Sautee over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes or until the onions begin to brown then remove from the heat.
Toast the bread in a toaster until they are a light brown. With a sharp knife, dice up the bread into the smallest pieces you can. When finished you should have about a cup of breadcrumbs.
In a large mixing bowl add the ground beef, 1 teaspoon of salt, pepper, garlic powder and dried parsley. Add the diced bread, parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, dijon mustard, ketchup and the cooked onions all to the bowl with the meat then set to the side.
In a separate small bowl, crack the eggs discarding the shells. Add the milk to the eggs, then beat the mixture with a whisk or fork until the yolks are well mixed. Add the egg mixture to the bowl with the meat mixture.
Mix the meatloaf with your hands until combined. Try to mix until everything is just combined then stop. Overmixing can cause the meatloaf to be tougher.
Put the meatloaf mixture in the pan and form into a loaf.
Make the sauce
In a small bowl place 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Mix well with a spoon to make a smooth sauce.
With a silicone brush or a spoon, spread half of the sauce on top of the meatloaf.
Bake the meatloaf
Bake the meatloaf for 40 minutes.
Pull the meatloaf from the oven and put the second half of sauce on the top.
Bake the meatloaf for an additional 45 minutes. Check the inside with a meat thermometer. The meatloaf is finished when the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees. Let the meatloaf rest for at least 5 minutes. Then slice and serve!
Video
Notes
Adding a little oil to your hands right before you start mixing the meatloaf can help it to stay juicier. Your hands actually absorb some moisture away from the meatloaf as you mix. It's still easiest to mix with your hands. Mixing with a spoon or a spatula can sometimes mean you accidnetly overmix the meatloaf which can also cause it to be drier.Resting the meatloaf before cutting and letting the meatloaf sit for about 5 to 10 minutes before slicing can help keep it juicy. If you cut into the meatloaf right away the juices rush out too soon and can make the meatloaf drier.