Ground Beef Meatloaf is the most comforting meal and something that the whole family loves. I cannot tell you how much I love making a traditional Meatloaf during the week and enjoy the leftovers on the weekend.
In this recipe I have combined the best of my mom's meatloaf and the best of my grandma's meatloaf. The result is a warm, cozy, delicious and perfect meatloaf.
This homemade Meatloaf recipe makes a juicy and tender and yummy meatloaf! It has a tangy and sweet topping. This Southern Meatloaf recipe is made with bread crumbs, onions, ground beef and my homemade meatloaf seasoning.
A classic American comfort food, meatloaf boast a number of variations and endless possibilities.
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Why is Meatloaf So Good?
It’s a mainstay in many American homes partly because of its unpretentious, classic flavor. Plus, it’s easy to make. Meatloaf is delicious, gooey and satisfying.
Ingredients
- lean ground beef
- breadcrumbs
- yellow onion – finely diced
- milk
- egg – beaten
- ketchup
- Worcestershire sauce
- Homemade Meatloaf Seasoning
For the topping:
- ketchup
- packed light brown sugar
- red wine vinegar
Leave everything and make this tonight! its beyond delicious
How do you make Paula Deen's Meatloaf
Well, this might be a bit of an exaggeration. The world knows it, I am not even half as good as Paula Deen. But, when it comes to the BEST Meatloaf Recipe, there cannot be anything as good as Paula Deen's Meatloaf.
My favorite Meatloaf Recipe is just what you need when you want to make the Best Meatloaf with the most amazing glaze.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Step 2: Take a large bowl and combine eggs, onion, milk, ground beef and bread crumbs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Fresh Chopped parsley, garlic powder, salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper.
Step 3: Using your hand, mush all the ingredients together until they are well combined.
Step 4: Add the mixture to a loaf pan. Make sure it is evenly layered. Gently pat the meat down.
Step 5: Take a small bowl and add ketchup, vinegar and the brown sugar. Stir it or whisk it together to combine.
Step 6: Pour this mixture all over the meatloaf and use a spatula to spread it all over the meatloaf.
Step 7: Place the loaf pan in the oven at 190 degrees C or 375 degrees F for 55 minutes to 1 hour. Leave it uncovered.
Step 8: Once the meatloaf is ready, take it out of the oven and leave it to rest for 10 minutes. If you do not do this, the meatloaf could fall apart.
Tips to keep in Mind:
- The most important tip to making really good meatloaf is using lean ground beef.
- When mixing the meat, make sure to mix it very well. Under mixing it could lead to the meatloaf being too mushy and soft.
- When transferring the meatloaf from the pan to a cutting board, use 2 spatulas. This makes it easier to move.
- Another option is to serve it directly from the pan or you can put parchment paper at the bottom of the pan so it is easy to lift out.
- Cut the onions finely so that it gets cooked when it is baking.
Cooking variations:
- For this recipe I usually use whole milk but any kind of milk is fine. You can also use non-dairy alternatives or 1% or 2% milk.
- You can use graham cracker crumbs or oatmeal instead of bread crumbs.
What Makes a Really Good Meatloaf?
Want the best meatloaf ever! will knock your socks off...
Use Lean Ground Beef. My suggestion would be to use a 80/20 ground beef to make the meatloaf. This has enough fat that will make your meatloaf juicy and moist.
Storage instructions:
This is how you can store it when you make it ahead of time.
Refrigeration- You can store the meatloaf in the fridge. Make sure to cover it with plastic wrap so it stays firm.
Freezing – The Meatloaf can be put in the freezer. You could leave it in the pan but cover it.
How to reheat and serve again – When you take the Meatloaf out of the fridge, leave it outside until it comes to room temperature and preheat the oven and heat it in there until it gets hot.
When you take it out of the freezer, first keep it in the fridge to thaw for about a day before you want to bake it. Uncover it and leave it out till it comes to room temperature. Preheat the oven and once it is hot, put in the meatloaf.
Why Does my Meatloaf Fall Apart?
There are many reasons that they meatloaf you made could fall apart:
- You may not have used enough breadcrumbs – they are the ingredient that helps bind it together, so it is pretty important to add a lot of it.
- It is probably over baked. It gets ready in 55 minutes to an hour and should not be left in the oven any longer.
- You might have sliced it when it was just out of the oven. You need to leave it for at least 10 minutes and only then slice into it.
The Best sides to go with your Meatloaf!
These are some of the most popular and yummiest sides that go well with meatloaf.
- Miso Roasted Carrots
- Candied Sweet Potatoes
- Zucchini Carrot Tater tots
- Cauliflower Tater tots
- Sweet potato fries
- Potato Wedges
- Mashed Potato
- Healthy Black Bean and Corn Salad with Lime Dressing
How to keep the Meatloaf moist?
The milk, ketchup, eggs and diced onion in the meat help to make the meatloaf moist and tasty.
Moreover the Meatloaf Sauce makes the meatloaf moist.
Is adding Milk necessary?
The milk gets absorbed by the breadcrumbs and helps to keep the meatloaf moist. This is the most basic reason why I prefer adding milk to meatloaf.
If you don't want milk, you can replace it with low sodium chicken stock or beef stock or water or any non-dairy milk substitute.
Should I cook it covered or uncovered? Does it really make a difference?
Though some recipes say to keep it covered so that it stays moist, for this recipe you can leave it uncovered. It does not get dry and stay moist.
This recipe is very easy to make. It does not take much time and gets ready pretty fast. Once it is in the oven, turn on a timer and you can go do other work you have.
What does adding egg to Meatloaf do?
Egg yolk has FOUR basic functions in a meatloaf recipe.
- Makes it Moist
- Makes it rich and Flavorful.
- Increases the Fat and Protein Count in the recipe.
- Holds the meatloaf together (in other words - binds the meat)
What's the best pan to cook meatloaf in?
There's a lot of controversy going around the pan that you should bake your meatloaf in? Some prefer a Loaf Pan and Some prefer a baking dish.
But, the main idea is to use a large loaf pan so that the glaze stays in the pan and makes the meatloaf juicier.
Can you make meatloaf ahead of time and bake later?
Yes. Absolutely. Meatloaf is an excellent make ahead recipe. You can assemble it ahead of time. Wrap it in a foil or plastic wrap. Store it overnight in the fridge and bake the next day.
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Recipe Card
Best Meatloaf Recipe ever! will knock your socks off
INGREDIENTS
- 2 lbs ground beef 90% lean
- 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic finely minced
- 2½ Tablespoons Ketchup
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup fresh parsley finely chopped
- ⅔ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons meatloaf seasoning
Meatloaf Sauce
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 1½ teaspoon red wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
- Line a 9x5 inches loaf pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl to make meatloaf. Mix well until combined.
- Add this mixture into the loaf pan and press gently so that it takes the shape of a loaf.
- Bake at 375 F for 35-40 minutes.
- In a bowl combine all the ingredients to make the sauce. After the meatloaf gets baked, get it out of the oven and spread the sauce over it.
- Bake for another 15-20 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow it to cool down at room temperature for 10-minutes before slicing.
- Drizzle the leftover juice over the meatloaf slices and serve.
James says
Super yummy Meatloaf!! Made this for Christmas dinner!!
Anjali says
Thank you so much!
Vanessa says
Absolute Delicious! Extremely yummy recipe! Made this tonight for my husband and he just loved it! He said its "fingerlicking good"! So glad to have found your blog Anjali! Keep the recipes coming!
Anjali says
Thank you so much! So glad to hear from you!!!
Rachael says
Hands Down! This is the BEST Meatloaf Recipe ever! Loved the flavors!!!!!
alyssa says
Love this recipe! The instructions are so clear and easy to follow. Made this last weekend with my Dad and had so much fun making this! Also, it tasted DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!
B Tracy says
It would seem that your oven temperature varies from 350f to 375f between the top instructions and the recipe itself. Also the timing and when to the sauce on the top. Which is correct instruction? I am making this tonight.
Anjali says
Sorry. My mistake. It is 375 degrees.
Mia says
I loved reading this recipe for Meatloaf! I am so obsessed with your blog posts! They are super descriptive and definitely helpful. I have never made Meatloaf before but definitely trying it out with my husband tonight!! Thanks for sharing
Andrea says
We ate the whole thing in one sitting, it was amazing
Anjali says
Wow! I'm so happy... Thank You!
Robin says
Delicious
Marcia says
Meatloaf is a Scandinavian creation. In no way does Italian Seasoning belong in this dish! Tried it, and it ruined the taste for us.
Anjali says
so sorry it didn't work out for you! You can skip Italian Seasoning the next time!
Theresa King says
My family loves this recipe! I make for clients as well, and they always ask for this recipe
Surup says
Hi Theresa, So glad you liked this recipe!!!
Marie C. says
Made this meatloaf tonight for dinner. It was delicious! I followed the recipe exactly and my husband said he would not change a thing! So tasty!
Anjali says
It means the world to me! thank you so much for your lovely words.
Babs M says
Oh my gracious! This was absolutely the BEST meatloaf I've ever tasted much less made. I gave my Mom some and she took it to work for her lunch. She had several people asking what was that fantastic smell. I followed the recipe exactly. My husband loved it and he's somewhat finicky.
Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Anjali says
so glad you loved it!
Juanita says
Meatloaf was delicious. I was a little heavy handed with the basil when making the meatloaf seasoning. Will be certain to taste. I usually punch off some and fry to determine what it will taste like. Failed to do that this time.
otherwise will make again.
Denny Coats says
Oh my word! This IS the best meatloaf recipe I’ve ever made. This is award winning to me! My husband and I almost finished off 2 lbs of ground beef ! We were going to have company but something came up. I went ahead and made this and I can’t tell you enough that this is 5+ stars! I’m hooked on this now! The sauce was delicious. I heated up the remaining and poured it on the slices of meatloaf on my plate. I’ve tried so many recipes but this one is in my 3-ring binder in a protective sheet!!
Anjali says
Hey Denny! Thank you so much! This just made my day...