Best Traditional Meatloaf Recipe (2024)

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Last Updated on: December 28, 2022 | Published on: May 6, 2021 by Christina Hitchco*ck

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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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4.84 from 18 votes

The Best Meatloaf Recipe

Yield: 6 servings

Equipment

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.

Estimated Nutritional Information

The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/

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Author: Christina Hitchco*ck

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American