Ah, meatloaf—classic comfort food at its finest 🍴😋
Here’s a reliable, juicy recipe with tips so it never dries out.
Classic Meatloaf
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef (80/20 for juiciness)
- ½ lb ground pork or Italian sausage (optional, adds flavor)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (or crushed Ritz crackers for extra buttery flavor)
- ½ cup milk
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- For the glaze:
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon mustard
Instructions
1. Preheat Oven
- Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
2. Mix the Meatloaf
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef (and pork if using), breadcrumbs, milk, onion, garlic, egg, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, and seasonings.
- Mix gently—overmixing makes it dense.
3. Shape & Glaze
- Shape mixture into a loaf and place in pan.
- Mix glaze ingredients and spread evenly on top.
4. Bake
- Bake 50–60 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Optional: Broil 2–3 minutes at the end for a caramelized top.
5. Rest
- Let rest 10 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.
Tips for the Best Meatloaf
- Don’t overmix: keeps it tender.
- Breadcrumbs + milk = moist, tender texture.
- Add grated carrot or zucchini for hidden veggies.
- Leftovers are perfect for meatloaf sandwiches.
Variations
- BBQ Meatloaf: Swap ketchup glaze for BBQ sauce.
- Cheesy Meatloaf: Stuff shredded cheddar or mozzarella in the center.
- Italian Meatloaf: Use Italian sausage, Parmesan, and marinara topping.
If you want, I can give you a quick stovetop skillet version, a mini muffin meatloaf, or a bacon-wrapped meatloaf—all slightly different textures and flavors.
Do you want me to do that?
