If you are looking for a basic recipe for meatloaf – we have the best! Try this simple yet yummy meatloaf recipe the whole family will enjoy.
The Best Homemade Meatloaf Recipe and How to Make a Basic Meatloaf
Hands down, our favorite meatloaf recipe is just a basic traditional recipe handed down from our Grandmother. We do love to try different meatloaf recipes, some with mushrooms and some with cheese, but our favorite meatloaf recipe is still the one with this delicious glaze of sauce on top of the cooked ground beef mixture.
Meatloaf – It’s all in the glazing and it’s delicious!
This is a quick put-together meatloaf recipe, but the taste is always just amazingly delicious!
Growing up in Pittsburgh, PA, there was always plenty of Heinz ketchup in the house and it seemed like we ate it on just about everything.
Ketchup, cider vinegar and brown sugar was our standard and beloved BBQ sauce that went on top of meatloaf, basted chicken, and made the best darn CHIPPED HAM BBQ’s!
Follow along this simple meatloaf recipe for some of the best meatloaf you’ve ever had.
Meatloaf Ingredients:
- Ground Beef – we use extra lean
- Onions – yellow onions (dice them very fine)
- Milk – whole milk
- White bread – use a soft bread
- Egg – organic eggs if possible
- Worcestershire
- Ketchup – Heinz ketchup if you can find it
- Salt & Pepper
Follow along for our recipe for basic meatloaf – there are just a few simple steps to making homemade meatloaf:
How to Make Basic Meatloaf –
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine bread pieces and milk in a medium bowl.
- Add the rest of the meatloaf ingredients to the same bowl. Using your hands, gently mix together all meatloaf ingredients. Do not overmix.
- Line a cookie sheet with foil and place the meat on the center. Form into a meatloaf shape using your hand. Try to make the top a little flatter so it holds the glaze well.
- Mix together glaze ingredients and spread on top of meatloaf.
- Bake in a meatloaf pan for 1-1/4 hours at 350 degrees.
Everyone in the family will love this scrumptious meatloaf - made with a basic recipe to please everyone.
- 1-1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
- 1 slice white bread, torn into tiny pieces
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
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Preheat oven to 350°F
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Combine the breadcrumbs with the milk.
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Combine all meat loaf ingredients including the breadcrumbs in the milk and place into a meat loaf pan.
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Flatten out the top of the meatloaf with your hands.
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Combine the sauce ingredients and pour on top of meatloaf.
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Bake at 350°F about 1 hour to 1-1/4 hours or until cooked through..
Basic Meatloaf Tips:
- For a juicy meatloaf, you don’t always have to use extra lean ground beef. Using a beef with a little more fat will really enhance the meatloaf flavor. Lean ground beef works just fine.
- Try and chop the onions fine. A food processor works really well for this job. You don’t want big chunks of onion in your meatloaf. Always be extra gentle when mixing a meatloaf. The meat does not like to be “squished.”
- Sometimes Grandma would use a basic saltine cracker, but in this recipe we definitely like the slices of bread soaked in milk.
- How to shape a meatloaf – place the meat on a cookie sheet and use your hands to gently shape into a loaf. Use your hands again to flatten the top of the loaf before glazing.
Hints and Tips to a Better Basic Meatloaf Experience:
- Don’t be tempted to mix the meatloaf mixture too much. If you over mix the ground beef this will result in a tougher and drier meat loaf.
- Form your meatloaf shape by hand on a cookie sheet lined with foil. The meat loaf form will keep even during cooking and the sides will be nicely browned.
- Let the meatloaf sit quietly for about 10-15 minutes after you take it from the oven and it will be much easier to slice.
- Soaking the bread or breadcrumbs in milk before using will make a juicer meatloaf.
- For safety reasons, always make sure your meat is cooked through.
Make a common glaze using ketchup, brown sugar and vinegar. Heat ingredients gently to combine flavors before glazing the meatloaf.
How to Make Meatloaf Glaze
How to Make Meatloaf Glaze
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- dash of salt
Mix everything together and glaze your meatloaf.
What to Serve with Meatloaf
- We love serving mashed potatoes because it’s two comfort foods on one plate. How to make the best mashed potatoes. Serve cheesy potatoes or garlic mashed potatoes.
- Whole green beans go well with meatloaf or our really tasty Baked Lima Beans.
- A heathy tossed salad is always a good option as goes great with meatloaf. Go low carb and serve a salad! What to put on your healthy salad.
- Baked potatoes and a tossed salad
- How about some Crispy Parmesan Crusted Potatoes Recipe
What to do with Leftover Meatloaf?
We like to make meatloaf sandwiches. Just reheat the sliced meatloaf in the microwave.
How Long Does Meatloaf Last in the Refrigerator
Meatloaf will last in the refrigerator for about 3 days. Make sure to store in an airtight container.
How to Freeze Meatloaf
Let meatloaf cool before freezing. Slice meatloaf into individual serving pieces and place in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container, freeze safely for about 2-3 months.
How to Reheat Meatloaf
Simply reheat leftover slices of meatloaf in the microwave.
How Do you Keep Meatloaf from Falling Apart?
The binding ingredients of eggs and dried bread crumbs helps to keep the meatloaf from falling apart after it’s had a chance to cool. If you enjoy your meatloaf a little firmer, add a touch more of bread crumbs.
Do you Cook Meatloaf Covered with Foil or Uncovered?
We always cook the meatloaf uncovered to give the outer part of the meatloaf a nice crust, yet keeping the insides nice and juicy.
Place your meatloaf slices on a microwave-safe plate. Cover the plate with a damp paper towel. This always helps to keep food moist. Cook for about 1 minute or until hot. If the meatloaf was frozen, let unthaw in the refrigerator for a few hours before heating.
What if we don’t Like Onions?
If you don’t like onions in your meat loaf it is fine to leave them out. Add in a touch of onion powder mixed with a little garlic powder. You could also try dicing the onions very fine so they don’t leave chunks, or put them in your mini processor and lightly pulse.
What’s the Difference Between Meatloaf and Meatballs?
The difference between meatloaf and our beloved meatball is size! We form individual smaller shapes that don’t need cooked as long, but the basic idea and mixture is the same.
You will Love Some of Our Other Recipes
Mini Meatloaf Recipe
Healthy Chicken Meatballs
Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef
How to Make Meatballs for A Crowd
