Description
This Classic Meatloaf Recipe is a hearty and comforting dish featuring a blend of lean ground beef, aromatic spices, and a tangy ketchup glaze. Baked to perfection, it’s an easy, crowd-pleasing meal that’s perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf
- 1 ½ lbs lean ground beef (or beef/pork blend)
- 1 cup diced onion (chopped small)
- ¾ cup bread crumbs (or panko crumbs)
- ⅓ cup milk (broth or water)
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Topping
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 1 Tbsp white vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the lean ground beef, finely chopped onion, bread crumbs, milk, eggs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and tomato paste. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Shape the Meatloaf: Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape using your hands, or pack it into a greased loaf pan. Flip the loaf pan onto the prepared baking sheet to create a perfectly shaped loaf, then remove the pan.
- Bake the Meatloaf: Bake the meatloaf uncovered on the baking sheet for 40 minutes without the ketchup topping.
- Prepare and Apply Topping: While the meatloaf is baking, mix together ketchup and white vinegar in a bowl. After the initial bake, remove the meatloaf from the oven and spread the ketchup mixture evenly over the top and sides of the loaf.
- Finish Baking: Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, or until the meatloaf is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Rest and Serve: Once cooked, let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Then slice into pieces and serve warm.
Notes
- Using a greased loaf pan to shape the meatloaf helps achieve a uniform shape and easier handling.
- You can substitute bread crumbs with panko for a lighter texture.
- For a moister meatloaf, you may use broth instead of milk.
- Make sure to let the meatloaf rest after baking to maintain juiciness.
- Check doneness with a meat thermometer for safety; it should reach 160°F (71°C) internally.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: classic meatloaf, baked meatloaf, ground beef recipe, family dinner, comfort food
