Classic comfort food alert 🍽️ — here’s a classic, juicy, flavorful meatloaf recipe that’s simple but hits all the right notes.
🍖 Classic Meatloaf
Ingredients (6–8 servings)
Meatloaf
- 1½ lb (700 g) ground beef (or half beef / half pork for extra flavor)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (or panko)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- Optional: ½ cup grated carrot or zucchini for moisture
Topping
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp mustard or a dash of vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C.
- Mix meatloaf: In a large bowl, combine all meatloaf ingredients. Mix gently (don’t overwork).
- Shape loaf: Form mixture into a loaf shape on a lined baking sheet or in a loaf pan.
- Add topping: Mix ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Spread evenly over the top of the loaf.
- Bake: 55–65 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F / 70°C.
- Rest: Let rest 10 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.
Tips for a perfect meatloaf
- Don’t overmix — it keeps the texture tender.
- Add moisture: milk, grated vegetables, or even a bit of sour cream makes a big difference.
- Glaze: A simple ketchup or BBQ glaze caramelizes beautifully.
- Optional extras: shredded cheese inside, chopped mushrooms, or chopped bell peppers.
If you want, I can give you a quick 30-minute meatloaf muffin version, a cheesy stuffed version, or a classic southern-style loaf with a rich tomato glaze.
Which style do you want?
