Description
Old Fashioned Meatloaf is a timeless comfort food that combines savory ground beef, a tender and moist texture, and a tangy glaze on top. This classic dish is perfect for family dinners, offering hearty flavor and nostalgic appeal. Made with simple pantry staples, it’s versatile, kid-friendly, and ideal for leftovers or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Mixture
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef (15-20% fat recommended)
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- ½ cup milk
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Glaze
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Mixture: Finely chop the onion. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs soaked in milk, beaten eggs, chopped onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined to avoid a dense texture.
- Shape the Loaf: Transfer the meat mixture to a baking pan or loaf pan, shaping it into a uniform loaf so it cooks evenly and retains moisture.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, mix ketchup with brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce until blended. Spread the glaze evenly over the top of the shaped meatloaf.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the meatloaf for about 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing to lock in juices.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the meat mixture to prevent a tough texture.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness.
- Let the meatloaf rest after baking to keep it juicy and easier to slice.
- Customize the glaze with honey, mustard, or barbecue sauce for different flavors.
- Add fresh herbs like parsley or thyme to brighten the flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/6 of loaf)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: meatloaf, classic meatloaf, comfort food, ground beef, family dinner, easy meatloaf, American cuisine
