This really is the best meatloaf recipe, it’s easy to make and tastes delicious.
It’s made with lean ground beef, a handful of seasonings, onions, and a sprinkle of breadcrumbs. Then, it’s baked in the oven with a tasty zesty topping.
Below are my favorite tips for a homemade meatloaf that will have everyone asking for seconds.
This easy meatloaf recipe is a family favorite and all 4 of my kids told me it’s one of their top childhood favorites! Serve with a side of mashed potatoes or mac and cheese for the perfect comforting meal.
Ingredients for a Classic Meatloaf
- Ground beef: I recommend using 80/20 ground beef for the perfect balance of flavor and juiciness.
- Breadcrumbs: These help the meatloaf hold together and give it the right texture. Italian or seasoned breadcrumbs have extra flavor, but Panko bread crumbs will work too.
- Eggs: These help bind the meatloaf so it doesn’t fall apart when you cut it.
- Onions: Chopped onions add extra flavor to the meatloaf, pre-cooking them makes sure the flavor isn’t too strong.
- Seasonings: Fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh flavor while Italian seasoning are savory and aromatic. Of course, salt and pepper are essential for any recipe, and they help bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.
Meatloaf Sauce
My favorite meatloaf topping is a flavorful zesty topping that caramelizes and gets a bit sticky to glaze the meatloaf as it bakes.
In this sauce for meatloaf, I use a combination of chili sauce and ketchup (just like my mom always made) and a pinch of brown sugar.
Variations & Additions
As this is a classic meatloaf recipe, I keep it simple but you can add in your favorite additions.
- Meat: You can add ½ pound lean ground pork in place of some of the beef or try 1 pound ground beef mixed with 1 pound ground turkey (cook to 165°F if adding turkey).
- Seasonings: Add seasonings like garlic powder (1 tsp), Worcestershire sauce (1 tbs), or some chopped and cooked green bell pepper
- Brown Sugar Meatloaf Glaze: Use equal parts brown sugar and ketchup with 2 teaspoons of cider vinegar to make a meatloaf glaze in place of the topping below.
- Brown Gravy: Skip the meatloaf topping altogether and serve it with brown gravy instead (homemade, leftover, or packaged).
How To Make Meatloaf
- Soften the onion in a pan (per recipe below).
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
- Form into a loaf on a baking sheet and bake (cook times below based on the size of the loaf).
- Top with the meatloaf sauce and bake until bubbly.
Tips for the Best Meatloaf
- Do Not Overmix: Mix the ingredients in a large bowl just until combined – overmixing will result in a dense meatloaf.
- Use Lean Meat: Use lean beef (but not extra lean). 80/20 is ideal for the best flavor and consistency without too much fat.
- Add flavors and moisture: Keep your meatloaf moist and flavorful by adding seasonings and soaking the breadcrumbs in milk.
- Skip the Loaf Pan: Use a baking sheet to cook this meatloaf recipe. A loaf pan will cause the meatloaf to steam in the drippings instead of getting a nice crisp exterior.
- Rest the Meatloaf: Let the meatloaf rest once it comes out of the oven to redistribute the juices and make it easier to slice without falling apart.
How Long To Cook Meatloaf
The 2 lb meatloaf recipe below cooks at 350°F for about 55-65 minutes or at 375°F for 45-55 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
If you are making half of a recipe (or increasing it) you can use the cook times below to cook at 350°F. A thermometer is the best way to ensure the meatloaf is cooked through yet perfectly tender.
Bake a 1lb meatloaf for about 45 minutes total.
Bake a 2lb meatloaf for about 55 minutes total.
Bake a 3 lb meatloaf for about 1 hour & 20 minutes.
Before Cooking: To freeze meatloaf before cooking, place in a loaf pan lined with plastic wrap (or form a loaf on a pan). Freeze completely, seal well. Defrost raw frozen meatloaf in the refrigerator 24 hours. Bake as directed. The meatloaf will likely need an extra 15 minutes of cooking time.
After Cooking: Once cooked and cooled, freeze individual slices on a parchment-lined pan. Once the slices are frozen, transfer to a freezer bag. This makes it easy to grab one slice or several to reheat! Simply reheat in the microwave or in the oven.
Meatloaf can be prepared as directed, covered with plastic wrap, and stored in the fridge a day ahead of time before baking. Remove the meatloaf from the fridge 30 minutes before baking. If cold from the fridge, you may need to add a few minutes of cooking time.
Store leftover meatloaf in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to three months.
Keep meatloaf in an airtight container in the fridge or wrap it in plastic wrap. To store in the freezer, slice the meatloaf first for easier thawing and heat it up in the oven or microwave until it’s warm and heated through.
Leftover meatloaf makes great patty melts too!
What to Serve With Meatloaf
I usually serve a cozy-carby side and a fresh vegetable with meatloaf. Here are a few of our favorites.
Did your family love this meatloaf recipe? Be sure to leave a comment and review below!
The Best Meatloaf Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ medium onion diced
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup milk
- ¾ cup Italian bread crumbs or seasoned breadcrumbs
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon ketchup or chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Meatloaf Sauce
- ½ cup chili sauce see note
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
- In a small pan, cook onions in butter over medium low heat until tender. Let them cool completely.
- In a medium bowl, combine eggs, milk, and breadcrumbs. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Add the ground beef, cooked onions, 1 Tablespoon ketchup or chili sauce, Italian seasoning, parsley, and salt & pepper to the bowl. Mix until just combined.
- Form a 8"x4" loaf on the prepared baking pan and bake for 40 minutes.
- While the meatloaf is cooking, combine the chili sauce and ketchup (and brown sugar if using) to make Meatloaf Sauce. Spread mixture over the meatloaf and bake for an additional 15 – 30 minutes or until cooked through and the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160°F*. Broil for 1-2 minutes if desired.
- Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Beef, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
More Comfort Food Favorites
- Spaghetti and Meatballs – Family favorite
- Braised Beef Short Ribs
- Ground Beef Stroganoff (Hamburger) – Quick and easy!
- Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
- Mushroom Salisbury Steak – Ground beef in a delicious mushroom gravy
- Mississippi Pot Roast
- Easy Homemade Lasagna
Great recipe. Have made several times without having to change anything. Thanks
I made this last night. I made an error and put 1/2 C ketchup in instead of 1 TBSP. It still turned out great, but I am guessing it was not as firm as it should have been with the extra liquid. I also substituted the breadcrumbs for pork rinds. This is a great keto substitute. You can make this substitution for anything that calls for breadbrumbs.
This was awesome : used ground turkey, panko and the chili sauce!!❤️
The absolute best meatloaf I’ve ever made hands down!! (& forks up!!)
So delicious! Not your average meatloaf you despised as kid. Sorry Mom. This is moist and flavorful and so so yummy! I made my own topping bc I didn’t have chili sauce with catchup, mustard, honey, brown sugar, garlic, and chili powder, and a tiny bit of Worcestershire sauce. Wow!!! We wished there were 2nds but we ate it all up!! My stepson even hugged me and said “thank you! 5 stars!! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️” Will be making again- and again!!
Just made this recipe tonight. I had to improvise on the sauce on top since I didn’t have the chili sauce so I used a sweet barbecue sauce and mustard. I also added the fresh parsley to the sauce and used it as a garnish on top. I did not salt or pepper the meatloaf and it turned out so good! Highly recommend this recipe. We made this for a dinner with a friend who doesn’t like meatloaf and loved this one! I’ll call that a win. Thank you for creating such a mouth watering dish!
Even my husband who doesn’t like meatloaf enjoyed it. Next time for us I’d use less bread crumbs and probably take the milk down a little, too. Other than that it was 5 star.
Try pork rinds instead of breakcrumbs or panko.
Best single meat meatloaf I’ve made. Big hit!
Excellent! I really enjoyed this. Thanks.
in the oven now. eye balled the amounts. added some extras.Lawrys,crused croutons and seasoned panko. ketchup,Dijon,baby rays,worstershire,and garlic powder . I think this is my 1st meatloaf I’ve ever made.hard to remember over the decades. never my 1st choice. wife asked sooo. her meatloaf is terrible. so I took the reigns.
best comment
FANTASTIC!!! I made extra sauce to serve on the side, as that is truly what makes this meatloaf stand out! My husband LOVES this meal!
What can I use in place of the milk? My son is allergic to dairy.
Hi Judy, oat milk might be a good substitute for you in this recipe. Other readers have also swapped the milk for beef broth with great results.
This recipe looks delecious! Are you sure the calorie count is correct though? If this recipe yeilds 8 servings with 2 lbs of 80/20 ground beef, just the ground beef alone of 4oz is 287 calories not including any other ingredients and this recipe says approx 262 calories per serving.
Hi Greg, I just doubled checked the nutrition and it appears to be correct. They are just estimates though, but if you need a more accurate number we suggest entering your ingredients into an app like MyFitnessPal or similar.
Follow recipe exactly as written and it was delicious! My mother even loved it and she is one picky lady so thanks.
I made it exactly as recipe called for, it came out too mealy. it almost tasted raw, even tho it was throughly cooked. Will continue looking for a good recipe.
Made the recipe exact with the addition of garlic powder and Worcestershire and everyone loved it!
Our special Meatloaf topping was Catsup Mustard Powder Vinegar and Brown Sugar
Made this meatloaf for dinner tonight, it’s THE best meatloaf that I’ve ever had.
Definitely a do again!
Thank you for sharing!
Loved this recipe, I’m usually disappointed with online recipes but nit this one. Juice and flavourful.
Only difference I added a diced carrot which I fried up with the onion and I added some cinnamon for health reasons. Next time I am going to add some dried cranberries
I have already added this one to my recipe book
I made two meat loafs last night using your recipe. I made this one for my husband and myself and a vegan version using Impossible Burger, unsweetened almond milk, and about half the cooking time for my daughter with fantastic reviews. Thank you!